This book claims no author but scholars all agree that it is John. This is written about 20 years after the Temple was destroyed in a Jewish Roman War. The entire Temple Herod built was destroyed leaving the Jews without a center for worship. Since then a Philosophy had really taken root called Gnosticism.
Gnosticism in short said that the human nature consists of 2 parts, flesh and spirit. Sin was in the body only, not the spirit. So basically the spirit dealt with Spiritual matters, while the body could do what it wants. In Gnosticism, people believed in a “mystical” knowledge that some could obtain through knowledge, like a spiritual maturity or epiphanies. (I actually know of someone who is a Gnostic).
Gnostics also denied the incarnation, they said that God was more like a phantom, a man in appearance only (called Docetism). Another theory called Cerinthianism (very large following) believed that Jesus was a normal man and that the spirit of God joined Him at baptism and left him before the death on the Cross. By the way, if you think “theories” are not as strong today, get out of your comfort zone of the Bible Belt and just make conversations with some strangers in airports all around the country. It will shock you, especially todays teens.
John writes this Letter to ALL Christians. The book of John (the Gospel) was written on believing to receive Eternal Life. 1 John is about Knowing we have eternal life. The word KNOW will be used over 30 times in this short letter.
Soooooo have you ever questioned your Salvation?? Read this book to see “If” you are saved and KNOW.
Posted by Erica on December 26, 2010 at 11:42 pm
When I was studying abroad in Uraguay, I met a guy from England who said that I was the first person he ever met that believed in Adam and Eve. He was so amused and amazed that i actually believed in creation. Another friend I met while there was from Nigeria and he was the first person to approach me with Mormonism. I didn’t know anything about scripture then and had no sword to use. Hopefully by studying the word I will be a better ambassador.
Posted by Patricia on December 27, 2010 at 6:52 am
Yes, I have and still believe in the Big Bang Theory. For years it was scientific. Now it is God said it and BANG it hapened.
Posted by Penny on December 28, 2010 at 12:56 pm
That’s good, Trish. Very good. I will be borrowing that one. Thanks!
God said it, and…BANG…it happened!
Erica, the sword it pretty cool huh?!
Posted by Helen on December 28, 2010 at 5:37 pm
1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
This is such a blessing..to think that the King of Kings, Lord of Lords listens to us and hears us!!
If God be for us who can be against us!
Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Posted by Helen on December 28, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Hallelujah!