THE PURPOSE OF I JOHN: How To Have Fellowship With Yahweh
I John 1:1-4
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The author of I John is the apostle John.
A. I John 1:1-4; 4:6 shows that the author was an apostle.
1. An apostle had Jesus Christ’s authority (Matt. 10:1-4).
2. An apostle had been chosen to walk with and be with Jesus Christ (Acts 1:21,22; 9:4-6; Gal. 1:16-24).
3. An apostle was given the ability to see Yahweh do signs, wonders, and miracles through him (2 Cor. 12:12).
B. The literature of the letters of 1st, 2nd, 3rd John show a similar writing style to the Gospel of John and Revelation. This is known as internal evidence.
C. External sources from the early church as well as current scholarship have a very high certainty of John as the author of the Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and Revelation.
D. The apostle John was very close to Jesus and part of His inner circle (see Bible Atlas facts).
THOUGHT: How do we determine which teachers or preachers to give the most credibility to?
II. The two plausible dates for the writing of I John seem to be either 64-65 AD or 90-95 AD.
A. One scenario: John took care of Mary (Jesus’ mother) after 33 AD where the apostles headquartered in Jerusalem. He might have become an evangelist-church planter in Asia minor setting up his missionary headquarters in Ephesus. He might have written the Gospel of John at Ephesus (as per Ireneus) between 48-52 AD to strengthen the seven churches when he moved back to Jerusalem. He participated in the apostle Paul’s concordat of missionary division around 48 AD (Gal. 2:1-10). At the time of the writing of I John, he seems to be back in Jerusalem with other apostles (I John 2:19). Therefore, a date of 64-65 AD, before the Jewish war of 66 AD, the start of his exile to Patmos, the writing of Revelation, and the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD, seems to be a probable date.
B. Another scenario: After Jerusalem is destroyed in 70 AD, John moves to Ephesus and continues his ministry for another 20 years in Asia Minor. He writes the Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John around 90 AD. He is exiled to Patmos and writes Revelation around 95 AD.
C. The direction you go depends some on your interpretation of Rev. 17:9-11 and trying to trace the steps of John with a small amount of historical record.
III. The purpose of I John is to promote fellowship with Yahweh (Father and Son) through abiding in the truth as given by the apostles (I John 1:1-4). This will discredit false teaching which undermines fellowship and true life.
A. The purpose of the Gospel of John is for people to believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of God (the second person of the Trinity). He goes on to say that by believing you may have “life in His name.” (John 20:31).
B. The purpose of I John is different from the Gospel of John and assumes belief. It is written as a circular letter (probably originally to the seven churches of Asia minor and possibly to their leadership) to be read publicly, copied by the churches, and delivered by Demetrius (3 John 12).
C. Jesus Christ was and is the very eternal life of God manifested to us in human form. Believers in Jesus are given true life in Christ and are now persuaded to remain in the source of eternal life which is Christ’s true teaching (I John 1:1,2).
D. Christ’s true teaching, which is revealed truth as delivered by the apostles, keeps a believer in fellowship (koinonia - sharing in common) with Yahweh and the apostles (I John 1:3,4).
THOUGHT: What things can disrupt a believers fellowship with Yahweh?
