Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO 2 JOHN (Part 2):

IV. ABOUT I JOHN:

I John was written to combat the beginnings of Gnosticism. Gnostic is from the Greek word that means knowledge. The Gnostics claimed to have special knowledge that no one else could know unless they were one of the initiated ones.

These false teachers and teachings arose from within the church. Gnostic doctrine was based on dualism which asserted that physical matter was inherently evil, and spirit was good.

At the time John was leading the churches in Asia, Gnosticism had two main groups:

1. Docetics taught that Jesus's physical body was not real but only seemed to be physical. This is known as asceticism from a Greek word that means "to appear."

2. Cerenthians taught that Christ's Spirit descended upon the human Jesus at his baptism but left him just before the crucifixion.

The main teaching about Jesus from this movement denied the Lord's humanity in order to support the Lord's sinless nature.

V. ABOUT II JOHN:

II John was written right after I John. II John was written to combat the infiltration of Gnostic teaching into the church.

VI. ABOUT III JOHN:

III John was written shortly after II John. This letter was written to instruct the church about the responsibilities of genuine hospitality.