John 15:1-16, Introduction to 1 John (1)

I would like to begin verse-by-verse in 1 John.  I will give you a bit of a warning.  I have what I believe will be some helpful things by way of introduction to the epistle.  But I am in the process of reworking my notes.  It is possible, especially when it comes to the structure of 1 John, that I might make some modifications in the outline.  Let’s get started.

1)    The Human Author: The Apostle John (i.e. not John the Baptist).

a)    He was an ordinary man.

i)      He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, Mt. 4:21.

ii)   He had an overly proud mother, Mk. 10:35.

iii)            He had a brother named James (also one of the Twelve, but not the one who wrote the NT Epistle of James), Mt. 4:21.

iv) He had a bad temper, Mk. 3:17 (illustrated in Luke 9:54).

v)    He lived in Galilee, probably in Bethsaida, a fishing village on the NW corner of the sea, Lk. 5:10.

vi) He was a fisherman, Mk. 1:19-20.

b)    He became a disciple of Christ:

i)      He had apparently been a disciple of John the Baptist, Jn. 1:35.

ii)   John the Baptist then introduced him to Christ, Jn. 1:35ff.

c)    He was then chosen as one of the Twelve (qualifications: Mk. 3:14-16; Acts 1:21-22).

i)      He was called to follow Jesus permanently while fishing, Mk. 1:19-20.

ii)   He was one of the three apostles closest to Jesus.

iii)            He saw Jesus raise Jairus’ daughter, M,. 5:37.

iv) He saw Jesus transfigured, Mk. 9:2.

v)    He lay close to Jesus’ side at the Passover seder in the Upper Room, Jn. 13:25.

vi) He went in close to Jesus with Peter and James at Gethsemane, Mk. 14:33.

vii)          He went in closer than any other at the trial of Jesus, Jn. 18:15-16.

viii)       He witnessed the crucifixion, Jn. 19:26-27.

ix) He saw the empty tomb the morning of the resurrection, Jn. 20:1-10.

x)    He recognized Jesus at the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection, Jn. 21:1-7.

xi) He was active in the early Church, Ac. 3-4.

xii)          He wrote the following NT books/epistles: The Gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

d)    Lessons:

i)      This explains 1 John 1:1-2.  John knew the Word of Life (Jesus) personally and experientially.

ii)   Jesus wants ordinary men; you don’t have to have the ability to follow Him, only the willingness to follow Him.

iii)            Jesus wants men who are willing to follow ALL THE WAY.

iv) You cannot effectively witness for Christ unless you live close to Him, in a day-by-day relationship (Col. 1:16: let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; John 15:1-16: fruit comes only by abiding in Christ.