Believe
The key word in 1 John is not “Believe.” Moodle marked that claim False.
Lesson 11 · Course 55
The Book of 1-3 John and Jude
Fellowship, assurance, and a short warning against apostasy.
At a glance
Summary
Fellowship, assurance, and a short warning against apostasy. John writes as one who knew Jesus intimately — heard, seen, and handled Him — at a time when he appears to have been the only surviving apostle.
Auto-graded 9/10 on attempt 1. Essays not graded yet. Attempts used: 1 of 3. One miss: Q2 (key word is not "Believe").
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- John writes as one who knew Jesus intimately — heard, seen, and handled Him — at a time when he appears to have been the only surviving apostle.
- The key word in 1 John is not “Believe.” Moodle marked that claim False. The letter’s burden is fellowship, walking in the light, and confessing that Christ has come in the flesh.
- 1 John combats Gnostic/Docetic heresy: teachers who treated matter as evil, denied that Christ truly came in the flesh, claimed special knowledge, and separated from the church.
- In 1 John, sin is treated as a child’s offense against his father: do not practice sin, do not sin, know we are sinners, confess, and receive the Father’s immediate forgiveness and cleansing.
- A person can know they are saved in more than two ways. The foundation for true doctrine is a proper understanding of Jesus Christ.
- 3 John condemns those who destroy the faith with struggles for supremacy in the church and earthly pride.
- Jude’s message is a warning against immorality and apostasy — not directed only to believers in Jerusalem. The letter begins and ends with assurance.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Heresy combated by 1 John (Gnostic/Docetic)
1 John combats early Gnostic teaching — the claim that spirit is good but matter is evil, and that Christ did not truly come in the flesh. Some denied the…
Five ways 1 John treats sin as a child's offense agains
1 John treats sin as a child’s offense against his father in five ways: (1) He expects the believer not to practice sin — whoever has been born of God does not…
Seven ways/proofs of assurance of salvation
1 John gives seven proofs that can give a person confidence they are saved: (1) Have a Savior — having the Son means having life; without the Son there is no…
John
John is not “Believe
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Heresy combated by 1 John (Gnostic/Docetic)
- Five ways 1 John treats sin as a child's offense against his father
- Seven ways/proofs of assurance of salvation
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 90% (1 attempt) |
|---|---|
| Key word | in 1 John is not “Believe |
| Key claim | John writes as one who knew Jesus intimately — heard, seen, and handled Him — at a time when he appears to have been the only surviving… |
| Reject | The key word in 1 John is not “Believe.” Moodle marked that claim False. The letter’s burden is fellowship, walking in the light, and… |
| Key claim | 1 John combats Gnostic/Docetic heresy: teachers who treated matter as evil, denied that Christ truly came in the flesh, claimed special… |
| Miss drill 1 | False: The key word in 1 John is "Believe." — Miss — Jay-R chose True. Moodle: the key word is not "Believe." Correct answer is False. |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Clarify
- Jude’s message is a warning against immorality and apostasy
- Not: directed only to believers in Jerusalem. The letter begins and ends with assurance.
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- The key word in 1 John is not “Believe.” Moodle marked that claim False. The letter’s burden is fellowship, walking in the light…
- 1 John combats Gnostic/Docetic heresy: teachers who treated matter as evil, denied that Christ truly came in the flesh, claimed…
- In 1 John, sin is treated as a child’s offense against his father: do not practice sin, do not sin, know we are sinners, confess…
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 90% · 1 attempt
1. The writer of 1 John knew Jesus intimately.
TrueJohn writes as an eyewitness who knew Jesus intimately.
2. The key word in 1 John is "Believe."
FalseMiss / partialMiss — Jay-R chose True. Moodle: the key word is not "Believe." Correct answer is False.
3. 1 John was written in a time when John appears to have been the only surviving apostle.
TrueThe lesson places 1 John when John appears to have been the only surviving apostle.
4. In 1 John, sin is to be treated as a child's offense against his father.
TrueThe workbook treats sin as a child’s offense against his father, not a stranger’s crime.
5. 1 John provides only two reasons of how a person can know they are saved.
FalseThere are more than two ways a person can know they are saved.
6. The foundation for true doctrine is a proper understanding of Jesus Christ
TrueTrue doctrine rests on a proper understanding of Jesus Christ.
7. 3 John condemns those who destroy the faith with struggles for supremacy in the church and earthly pride.
True3 John condemns struggles for supremacy and earthly pride that destroy the faith.
8. Jude's message was a warning against immorality and apostasy.
TrueJude warns the church against immorality and apostasy.
9. Jude's message was directed specifically and only to believers in Jerusalem
FalseJude is not directed specifically and only to believers in Jerusalem.
10. Jude begins and ends with assurance.
TrueJude opens and closes with assurance for the saints.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Heresy combated by 1 John (Gnostic/Docetic)
1 John combats early Gnostic teaching — the claim that spirit is good but matter is evil, and that Christ did not truly come in the flesh. Some denied the reality of Jesus’ body (Docetism); others denied His true humanity; others separated the divine Christ from the human Jesus. These teachers claimed special knowledge and separated from the church. John answers with apostolic eyewitness: Jesus was heard, seen, and handled. Believers must confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. He calls the church to walk in the light, in righteousness, in love, and in fellowship, so that those who believe can know they have eternal life and live in victorious fellowship with God.
Five ways 1 John treats sin as a child's offense against his father
1 John treats sin as a child’s offense against his father in five ways: (1) He expects the believer not to practice sin — whoever has been born of God does not live in a settled pattern of sin (1 John 3:9). (2) He expects us not to sin: “My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin” (2:1). (3) He knows we are sinners, both by nature and by sinful acts; denying this deceives us and means God’s Word is not in us (1:8, 10). (4) He expects us to confess our sins (1:9). (5) When we walk in the light and confess, God immediately forgives and cleanses our sin through the blood of Jesus Christ (1:7, 9).
Seven ways/proofs of assurance of salvation
1 John gives seven proofs that can give a person confidence they are saved: (1) Have a Savior — having the Son means having life; without the Son there is no life (1 John 5:12). (2) Have the witness of God, especially the testimony God has given of His Son (5:9-10). (3) Walk in the light: a saved person turns from darkness and lives honestly before God (1:7). (4) Obey God’s commandments: keeping His word shows that we know Him (2:3-5). (5) Love other Christians: love for the brethren is evidence that we have passed from death to life (3:14). (6) Believe that Jesus is the Christ and that He came in the flesh; faith in the Son gives eternal life (4:2; 5:1, 12). (7) Have the Spirit’s witness and confidence in prayer: the Holy Spirit confirms that we belong to God, and we can come to Him knowing He hears us (3:24; 5:14-15). These proofs are not a claim of being perfect. They give a believer confidence while he continues to walk with Christ.