Study Guide for 1 John Chapter 5

1 John Chapter 5

[3] Compare Matthew 11:30
[4] Faith and victory  Faith in whom?
[6] What does it mean to say that Jesus came by water and blood?

• Heretical teaching of Cerinthus:

1. Jesus was merely a man born of Mary and Joseph.
2. Christ descended on Jesus at his baptism.
3. Christ departed from Jesus before the cross.

• “This is no trivial error. It undermines the foundations of Christian faith and robs us of the salvation of Christ. If the Son of God did not take to himself our nature in his birth and our sins in his death, he cannot reconcile us to God.” - John Stott [p. 181]

[7-8] How do the Spirit, the blood and the water testify?
[9] “The testimony of God is greater”

• Greater than what?

• What is our choice?

[10] How we respond to God’s testimony, verifies what we really think about God, and who we really believe he is.

• “Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.” - C.S. Lewis

[11] What is the testimony?
[12] What is the significance of that testimony?
[13] Why did John write this letter?
[14] What is our confidence?
[15] “whatever we ask”

• Do we believe this promise?

• Compare Psalm 37:4

[16] What is the difference between a “sin not leading to death” and a “sin leading to death”?

• Why pray for one and not the other?

• Compare Mt 16:19 & John 20:23 with verse 15 (bind and loose)
• Romans 6:21-23 – the wages of sin is death
• Ephesians 4:30 – do not grieve the Holy Spirit
• 1 Cor 2:13-16 – spiritual judgements & the mind of Christ
• Matthew 12:30-32 – the sin against the Holy Spirit
• Compare the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts chapter 5. This particular sin against the Holy Spirit was not forgiven.
• Compare with 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
• Remember that John is speaking in the context of teaching Christians how to protect themselves against apostasy, and from those who might lead them into error (antichrists). [1 John 2:18-26; 2 Corinthians 11:13]
• Note that Paul told the Corinthians to judge those inside the Church and to purge out the evil ones [1 Corinthians 5:13] - that is excommunication. See also: Galatians 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 2 John 1:10-11.
  
• Jesus warned in Matthew 7:6 not to "cast your pearls before swine".
  
• Therefore, if John's concern about praying for one another corresponds to reconciling Christians who have been harmed by their sins toward one another. Then his suggestion that there is another kind of sin, probably corresponds to a situation where "instant" restoration, is either impossible or at least unwise. He certainly would not want to encourage a hasty restoration of those who are "antichrists" and who already have a track record of trying to undermine the faith. The two different kinds of sins are on completely different scales. John's letter is written to protect those who are already confused - so he is not going to encourage them to quickly restore those who were the very ones who were teaching them a false christ. [Ref. gnosticism, docetsim, the teaching of Cerinthus; Lk 17:1-3]
• Therefore, believers can intercede on behalf of other believers as per Matthew 18 and James 5, and work out forgiveness and reconciliation among those who are penitent. However, that is not the case with the apostate "antichrists" because they have not repented. The best that we can do is pray that they repent and turn to Christ, but we do not have the authority to forgive them of their apostasy. We are commanded to be merciful but we are not allowed to dismiss open rebellion to God.
  

[18] Do we keep on sinning?
How are we protected?
[19] Consider the contrast of allegiances
[20] How do we gain understanding?
[21] Why would John conclude with this warning?