Basics of the Faith - 1 John 2: 1-17
As Allen’s introduction pointed out, corrupting influences were at work among God’s people at the time of this letter. The Apostles all warned of these false teachers:
The Apostle Paul: 2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine... they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
The Apostle Peter: 2 Peter 2:1
“… just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them….”
The Apostle John: 1 John 1:18, 19
“…even now are there many antichrists… They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us…”
The early days, with its intimate fellowship, must have seemed a sweet memory. (“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42). But with the passing of time and the wide propagation of the Gospel, these elders seemed to deal repeatedly with the basics of the faith. (“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Hebrews 5:12)
Let’s look at three basics of the faith that John learned from Jesus and weaves through his letter:
A “I write this to you so that you will not sin” (2:1)
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Jesus in Matt. 5:48)
“…the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1:7)
“…when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” (2:28)
“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin…” (5:18)
B “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did” (2:6)
“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
(Jesus in Luke 6:40)
“He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (3:7)
“This is how we know who the children of God are…” (3:10)
“…Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (3:16)
C “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (2:15)
“…but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (Jesus in John 15:19)
“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (2:17)
“Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. (3:13)
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world” (5:4)
Remember, apostolic teaching will reinforce the basics of the faith; everything else leads astray. “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray” (2:26)
As Allen’s introduction pointed out, corrupting influences were at work among God’s people at the time of this letter. The Apostles all warned of these false teachers:
The Apostle Paul: 2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine... they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
The Apostle Peter: 2 Peter 2:1
“… just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them….”
The Apostle John: 1 John 1:18, 19
“…even now are there many antichrists… They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us…”
The early days, with its intimate fellowship, must have seemed a sweet memory. (“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42). But with the passing of time and the wide propagation of the Gospel, these elders seemed to deal repeatedly with the basics of the faith. (“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Hebrews 5:12)
Let’s look at three basics of the faith that John learned from Jesus and weaves through his letter:
A “I write this to you so that you will not sin” (2:1)
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Jesus in Matt. 5:48)
“…the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1:7)
“…when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” (2:28)
“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin…” (5:18)
B “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did” (2:6)
“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
(Jesus in Luke 6:40)
“He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (3:7)
“This is how we know who the children of God are…” (3:10)
“…Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (3:16)
C “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (2:15)
“…but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (Jesus in John 15:19)
“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (2:17)
“Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. (3:13)
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world” (5:4)
Remember, apostolic teaching will reinforce the basics of the faith; everything else leads astray. “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray” (2:26)
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