statements of the epistle? How much is the world in need of hearing these truths today? IX FURTHER STUDY OF JOHN Make a topical study of the word fellowship (Greek koinonia) as it is used in the New Testament (It is interesting to note that this word is mainly found in the Pauline writings, John being the exception.) Use an exhaustive concordance to locate the various places where the word is used Among the passages that you will want to consult are: Acts 2:42; Corinthians 1:9; Corinthians 8:4; Philippians 1:5; 3:10 Study the words sin, know, and the phrase eternal life as these appear in the Bible X OUTLINE JOHN: Fellowship with God and His Children JOHN’S GOSPEL AND FIRST EPISTLE COMPARED PERSONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP 1:1-4 LIGHT OF FELLOWSHIP 1:5—2:29 Conditions for Fellowship with God 1:5—2:2 Abiding in Christ 2:3-17 Antichrists and Christians 2:18-29 LOVE OF FELLOWSHIP 3:1—4:21 Beloved Sons of God 3:1-24 Truth and Love 4:1-21 WAY TO FELLOWSHIP 5:1-12 CERTAINTY OF FELLOWSHIP 5:13-21 XI BACKGROUND OF JOHN One very valuable contribution of John’s second and third epistles is their picture of typical local churches These churches were existing a half century after Christ’s ascension to heaven Problems in churches today are not unique to our age Concerning John’s third epistle, Charles Ryrie says, “This brief and very personal letter shatters the notion that the state of things was ideal, or nearly so, in the rst century Contrariwise, it reveals the problems of a vigorously growing faith.”12 When considering this, one begins to see something of God’s purpose in including such short letters as and John in His Holy Book A AUTHOR The writer identi es himself only as “the elder.” Internal evidence and tradition point to the apostle John as the author B ADDRESSEES The epistle was written to “the chosen lady and her children.” This designation has two possible interpretations Figurative By this the “chosen lady” refers to a local church or the church as a whole; and “her children” refers to members of the church Literal By this “the chosen lady” is an unnamed lady; or her name is Cyria (Greek eklekta kuria, translated “elect Cyria”), or Electa (translating the Greek as “the lady Electa”) The lady was a Christian friend of John, mother of children, well known in her community, whose sister’s children were probably residents of Ephesus The informal, personal style of the epistle favors the literal view C DATE AND PLACE WRITTEN Written around Ephesus A.D 90 from the city of ... (translating the Greek as ? ?the lady Electa”) The lady was a Christian friend of John, mother of children, well known in her community, whose sister’s children were probably residents of Ephesus The informal,... brief and very personal letter shatters the notion that the state of things was ideal, or nearly so, in the rst century Contrariwise, it reveals the problems of a vigorously growing faith.”12 When... Sons of God 3:1-24 Truth and Love 4:1-21 WAY TO FELLOWSHIP 5:1-12 CERTAINTY OF FELLOWSHIP 5:13-21 XI BACKGROUND OF JOHN One very valuable contribution of John’s second and third epistles is their