Untitled Sermon (26)

introduction

introduction matter of the book of first John by Happy Sichinga

who wrote the book of First John

It is difficulty to tell the author of the book, because the letter itself does not show us like the way other letters does e.g. some Pauline epistles does mention “Paul a servant of . . ..” However, many scholars believes that it was done by John the son of Zebedee, who is also believed to have written the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. This is believed so, because of the stylistic of language used is similar to the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation.

to whom was it written to?

the epistle of First John clearly shows that it was written to the believers. The letter consistently uses the phrase “dear children (2:1; 18; 3:7; 5:21), and dear friends (2:7; 3:21; 4:1; 4:7), showing that the Author was communicating to his fellow believers.

when was it written?

Just as difficulty as it is to know the author of the book, so it is to identify the date of its writings. However, it is dated to be probably around AD 90.

why was it written?

of course during this time there would be the presence of some false teachers on the horizon that the Author wanted to warn his audience to be alert of, John’s purpose for writing this letter was that the people should be in the fellowship with God (1:3; 6;7). And according to John, this was going to be done by obeying God’s commandment (2:3), and by loving one another (2:9).

APPLICATION

John calls us today to know who God really is and how one can be in fellowship with Him. One can be in fellowship with God when he/she loves his/her neighbour as Christ instructed us, and applying the life of Christ-like kind of living.