Introduction to First John-Emmanuel Nambozi

Who wrote the book of first John

Although the book of First John does not specifically identify its author, the majority of people think that John, the author of the gospel according to John, wrote it. This is true since these two books share some literary elements, a similar writing style, and a similar theme. the following are some of the similarities:

Both Books talks about believing in His son to have life.

John 3:15 ESV

that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

1 John 5:11–13 ESV

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

These books explain how sending his Son was a manifestation of God's love.

John 3:16–17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 John 4:9–10 ESV

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

These books also discuss the idea that by rejecting Jesus Christ, you are rejecting God.

John 15:23 ESV

Whoever hates me hates my Father also.

1 John 2:23 ESV

No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

To whom was it written

The book was written to believers.

1 John 1:3–4 ESV

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 2:12–14 (ESV)

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

When was it written

The author's date is still up for debate because different scholars place it between 70 and 156 AD, between 85 and 95 AD, and anywhere in between.

Why was it written

To assure the faithful believers that they have eternal life 1 John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” and that now they can fellowship with God 1 John 1:3, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Application

The book of first John is a book of love and joy that describes our friendship with one another and with Jesus Christ as well as how to experience true joy. John is informing us that through listening to the testimonies of those who have had face-to-face encounters with Jesus Christ, we might develop a close, personal relationship with Him. He says that because He is the Son of God, He came to establish a relationship with us based on His mercy, grace, love, and acceptance. John testifies from his own experiences that God took on human form and lived among us, i.e., Christ came to dwell among us and continues to do so. This concept needs to be applied to our lives so that we might become more and more like Jesus by living each day as though He were right there by our side.