Who Wrote This Book?   1^st John portrays God’s love as an example for is to follow in our relationships with each other.  It tells us how to love right, and then it encourages us to live right, learning and obeying God’s commands.  And in a day when so many are being deceived, this short book of only 5 chapters, sounds a clear call for maintaining truth by maintaining fellowship with God.

Date of Writing: This was probably written in the A.D 80’s, late in John’s life, and was written by the apostle John.

Theme of the book: Many communities were springing up throughout the Roman Empire and a loose structure of authority and organization was developing.  The first great persecution under Nero had come and gone, claiming the lives of thousands of Christians, including Paul and Peter.  John is thought to have written as the last surviving apostle, looking back at the gains and setbacks of early church.  John restores the meanings of words that some false teachers at the time had distorted.  You can also find images with special significance, such as light and darkness or Father and Children.

Key Verses:

1 John 1:9:  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just  and will forgive us for our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  (NIV)

1 John 2:15  Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. (NIV)

1 John 5:19-20  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (NIV)