1 John Chapter 2. The believers response to grace. (Verses 1-11)

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1 1 John Chapter 2 The believers response to grace (Verses 1-11) 1 My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. - John begins this chapter with a term of endearment: o My little children - This term is used in such a way as to: o Convey the kind and tender address of age to youth. o Of authority to subordinates. o Or wisdom to ignorance. o The apostle Paul had this same relationship with the Corinthians: 1Cor. 4: I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (KJV) A special relationship exists between those we help bring to Christ greater concern problems falling away, etc. - I am writing this or these things write I unto you spoken of in verse one of this chapter embraces the matters which were written in the closing portion of chapter one. 1

2 o The purpose was to lead the saints to forsake all sin. Fellowship with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and their fellow saints depended on them walking in the light. As far as they were able.. they were to abstain from sinful conduct. - John encourages his readers to walk in the light and not to sin. o In the first chapter of this epistle, John establishes that Jesus really became flesh. o Christ blood was shed to provide forgiveness of sin an unbelievably high price to pay. An unspeakable gift. o It was shed to provide us away to approach God. Not to encourage sin never a license to sin. o Rom. 6:1-2 More sin = more grace? God forbid. o Rom. 6:15-18 Slaves to sin or righteousness. o Gal. 2:20 o Gal. 4:19 Christ liveth in me. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me Until Christ be formed in you My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, - John does everything possible to encourage his readers to walk in the light of Christ. o But he fully realizes that all are going to fall short at times and sin. We (and they) are not to despair. 2

3 We are not to throw away our hope of eternal life and continue to sin habitually and willfully. o But we are to come to God confessing and seeking pardon. Remembering all the while that we have an advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ. o The righteous one o The just one - Jesus intercedes with the Father for our pardon as was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. o Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. RSV - The writer of Hebrews also assures us of Christ s intercession in these words: o Hebrews 7:23-25 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. RSV we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 3875 parakletos { par-ak -lay-tos} a root word; TDNT - 5:800,782; n m AV - comforter 4, advocate 1; 5 GK { paravklhto" } STRONG S CONCORDANCE 1) summoned, called to one s side, esp. called to one s aid 1a) one who pleads another s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate 1b) one who pleads another s cause with one, an intercessor 1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God s right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins 3

4 1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant 1c1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom - Christ as our advocate: o Represents us before the Father. o Defends us based on His innocence This might be called influential intercession. Question: How else is the word advocate/paraclete translated elsewhere in John s writings: John 14:16&17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. KJV John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. KJV John 15:26&27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. KJV John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you KJV Some versions translate this word Counselor - The result is summed up by this statement in 1 Tim. 2:5-6: o 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time RSV 4

5 - Verse 2 says: Question: Answer: o and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. - To propitiate is to: What does the word expiation or propitiation mean? Propitiation means the removal of wrath, and expiation means the removal of guilt Some versions use expiation instead of propitiation because propitiation conjures up ideas of vengeful and vindictive pagan deities who had to be appeased by offerings and bribes..ideas which, of course, are foreign to any ideas of God. However. there is a divine wrath against every form of sin, and God s forgiveness is not merely the ignoring of this wrath. Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. RSV o Appease and to render favorable o To conciliate o It also carries the meaning of..covering or removing something. - On the ark of the covenant..(placed by Moses in the Most Holy Place by the command of God).. was a covering called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:10-22). o This was ordained by God s command and for the purpose, that there at the mercy seat God would meet man. 5

6 Exodus 25:22 says. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. KJV ************* Strong s Concordance ************** 3727 kapporeth { kap-po -reth} from 3722; TWOT c; n f AV - mercy seat 26, mercy seatward 1; 27 GK { tr,pok' 1) mercy-seat, place of atonement 1a) the golden plate of propitiation on which the High Priest sprinkled the seat 7 times on the Day of Atonement symbolically reconciling Jehovah and His chosen people 1a1) the slab of gold on top of the ark of the covenant which measured 2.5 by 1.5 cubits; on it and part of it were the two golden cherubim facing each other whose outstretched wings came together above and constituted the throne of God - The mercy seat was called the propitiatory o The high priest approached this mercy seat once each year with blood o God here met and communed with him for the people o Now Christ is our mercy seat o He is our propitiatory o He is our altar and our high priest o His blood has been offered for us for our sins o He is, therefore, our propitiation. - Here it is that God meets the sinner and nowhere else! o In Christ, and not out of Christ, may pardon be expected. We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10) 6

7 He bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1Peter 2:24) - The second half of verse two is also very important o and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. For the whole world! o 1Timothy 2:4-6 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. KJV o John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him RSV - Christ is for everyone o We cannot cultivate a smug Christianity! The believers are encouraged to keep the commandments of God 3 And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He who says I know him but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6 he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. - Obedience is the demonstration of our fellowship with God o It is our response to the grace and love of God. - Verse 6. he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. - What does obedience involve? We don t have to guess: o John 14:15 says If you love me, you will keep my commandments RSV 7

8 o John 15:9-10 says As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commandments and abide in his love. RSV - Notice the words John uses in this text to describe this responsive relationship. o Abide to dwell permanently, to live o Keepeth persistence, keep on keeping on o Ought word of indebtedness, to owe, obligation o Walk involves the course of one s life - Our lives (in the light) are a testimony to our obedience to the love of God. o Verse 4.. He who says I know him but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him o Our obedience is based on a firm foundation of faith The Hebrew writer puts it this way: Hebrews 11:1.. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJV That word substance used in this verse means foundation and the idea is that we are building our lives on a solid rock foundation of faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ. o In much the same sense John uses the word know in his letter. The word know is used 23 times in the epistles of John. We know that we know is used some eight times. 8

9 John says that we demonstrate our obedience through the love of the brethren. 7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. - He says.. No new commandment. o They didn t need a new teaching. but instead a renewal of the teaching they already had. o The original commandment from Christ which they had heard from the beginning of their Christian lives was this: John 13:34 35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. RSV - Verse 8 says Again a new commandment write I unto you. o One might ask How can it be old and new? - Jesus, in John 13 reiterates the 2 nd greatest commandment Love thy neighbor as thy self. o The newness was not merely or solely in the command to love; even the law and the prophets required this. o It was the measure or extent of the love that made it new. even as I loved you. o Jesus gave the commandment new meaning by his life s example and sacrifice. 9

10 - Never before the Christian age had such a love been required of man John 13: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. RSV - The world views our commitment to God, in our love for each other. Questions: o Matthew puts it this way: Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. RSV o Our lives..our actions..our attitudes..our behavior..tell the story. Much more than our words. - How do you show love for your brother? o Have their best interest in mind in your dealings with them. o Help in time of need (vs. 3:17) o Patient and gentle o No hatred. - Do you have the same obligation to non-christians? o Galatians 6:9 10 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. RSV - What role does obedience play in our salvation? o James 1:22 25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it he will be blessed in what he does. NIV 10

11 - What three boasts were being made in the text covered this morning? And what were the conclusions? o He that saith. I know him.. and keepeth not his commandments is a LIAR vs. 4. o He that saith. He abidth in Him.. ought to walk as He walked vs. 5 o He that saith. He is in the light.. but hatheth his brother is in darkness vs. 9 Words of encouragement and warnings in the midst of trying times. 12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake. 13 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. 14 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. - At first glance verses 12 through 14 seem somewhat repetitive. o But there are subtle differences in what is said. o For instance.in the Greek two different words for little children are used. - The word used in verses 1, 12 and 28 means children in general..all of God s family in Christ teknion { tek-nee -on} diminutive of 5043; TDNT - 5:636,759; n n AV - little children 9; 9 GK { teknivon } 1) a little child 2) in the NT used as a term of kindly address by teachers to their disciples 11

12 - The word used in verses13 and 18 means infant children and points to new converts (Young in experience) - GK { paidivon } 1) a young child, a little boy, a little girl 1a) infants 1b) children, little ones 1c) an infant 1c1) of a (male) child just recently born 1d) of a more advanced child; of a mature child; 1e) metaph. children (like children) in intellect - This passage has given many problems to commentators over the years and there are several possible ways to view it. o It is written in a near poetical form. Which does not always lend itself to literal word for word interpretation. - I understand it to be talking about three categories of believers: o 1. Little children Babes in Christ. Some young in both age and Christian experience Some may have just been young in Christian experience o Your sins are forgiven (for his name sake) KJV On the basis of His name. Acts 4:12.. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved KJV o 2. o You know the Father or literally - - you have come to know. Young men Strong and maturing. 12

13 The word abides in them. o 3. Question: You have overcome the evil one o How? Because the word abides in them. Fathers Mature spiritually. Of this group it is said.. You know him who is from the beginning. o Who?.. Christ! o Tried and proven faith! Over time enduring. Why was it important that John assure these believers of their security in Christ? Do we have the same need today? Why? o Not that they didn t know the truth. He said they knew the truth vs. 21. We need to discover new depths of knowledge and faith! Do you love to study the bible? Do you love to read what others have to say about the different books of the bible? Do you read books that are recommended to you? Do you enjoy talking to others about the bible? Do you have some mentors in the faith? Do you love to come to the assembly of the saints for study, worship, singing and fellowship? o We need to recall and have brought to our remembrance things that we may not have thought about for sometime. 13

14 Question: This is one of the great purposes of Preaching Lessons forgot not that you don t know..but that you can grow. Examples forgot are recalled: What s involved in love our brother? Example Abraham and Lot. o Encouragement in the faith (Barnabus) We need to be renewed and encouraged in the faith day by day. We need to constantly build on our faith and encourage others in the faith. As you think about the three categories of people to whom John addresses himself in verses 12 to 14: Fathers. Mature Christians. Young Men.. Maturing Christians Little Children.. Immature Christians, babes in Christ. - What lessons do you draw from this passage? o Some see all these characteristics present in each Christian. - Although this may be true to some extent I see a greater benefit in the fellowship of all three groups as they gain strength from each other: o Youth Zeal (Babes in Christ little children. ) Sins are forgiven ( the good news ) First love strong. 14

15 o Young Men Maturing Struggling, working, raising families, growing, learning and experiencing. Overcoming and abiding in the word of God. o Fathers (Mature Christians) Wisdom Steadfastness I know whom I have believed! I d do it all over again absolutely the best life. Tried and proven faith (Unmovable) Because of a life experience Tenderhearted, caring, patient, loving. o I see so much to be gained by each category of believers as they fellowship with each other and work together in the kingdom. We can all benefit from each other. - A personal example: o My wife + Burton & Laura Mitchell (Elder and his wife) Knowledge Wisdom Patience Kindness o The preacher (younger our age 29-30) Dale Powers Thornton, Colorado Zeal Point of decision needed to be presented flannel charts I was baptized at midnight! 15

16 o The young and mature.. working together. In verses 15 thru 17 John tells his readers not to love the world. 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. - The admonition is (vs. 15) Don t give AGAPE love to the World. - Why not? Because a love for the world is not compatible with the love for God. o The world is passing away. o God abides forever. - The things of the world spoken of here are: 1. Lust of the flesh. 2. Lust of the eye. 3. Pride (Vainglory of life position, power, education.) - LUST = DESIRE o We must remember.. That we should not love the world to much because: 1. It crowds out love of the Father. 2. It is passing away. 3. By doing the will of God, we can abide forever. 2Peter 3:10.. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ASV 16

17 o Conversely... The love of God ends in eternal life.. because..we abide in Him. Matthew 6: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. ASV What did verse 17 say.. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. - It is impossible to serve two masters. o Matthew 6:24. No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ASV - Nothing has really changed from the beginning. o Genesis 3:1-6.. Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat: 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. ASV - The last section of Chapter 2 covers the antichrist (2:18 29) 18 Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been anointed by the 17

18 Holy One, and you all know. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us, eternal life. 26 I write this to you about those who would deceive you; 27 but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that every one who does right is born of him. - Strong s concordance describes the antichrist as: 500 antichristos { an-tee -khris-tos} from 473 and 5547; TDNT - 9:493,1322; n m AV - antichrist 5; 5 GK { ajntivcristo" } 1) the adversary of the Messiah - The first thing we notice here about the antichrist is that: 1. There are many (vs. 18) 2. They went out from us, but were not of us (vs. 19) They existed in John s day. - Next we note four of his characteristics: 1. He is a liar. (vs. 22) 2. He is a deceiver. 18

19 2John verse 7.. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist KJV 3. A denier that Jesus is the Christ. (vs.22 &23) 4. And he refuses to acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. 1John 4:2 3 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. KJV - We see that the antichrist: 1. Denies Jesus as the Christ.. the Messiah.. the anointed one of God. (vs 22) they denied his humanity. 2. Denies Father and Son (vs 22-23) in other words they denied the Deity of Christ. - The problem is, that the antichrists are here: o Verse Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour. o The last hour.. a last-hour situation. Quite possibly pointing to the end of the Jewish state.. at the very least a call of urgency. o Why the urgency? o Because these people would try to lead them astray! Verse 26a 26 I write this to you about those who would deceive you; Verse 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us. 19

20 Jude But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. KJV - What s the solution? o Verses 20 and 27: Verse 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. KJV Verse 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. KJV - Strong s Concordance: 5545 chrisma { khris -mah} from 5548; TDNT - 9:493,1322; n n AV - anointing 2, unction 1; 3 GK { cri`sma }* - 1) anything smeared on, unguent, ointment, usually prepared by the Hebrews from oil and aromatic herbs. Anointing was the inaugural ceremony for priests o A term originally signifying an oil or ointment rubbed on the skin..and later..the anointing itself. Acts 10: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. RSV - This passage asserts that these to whom John wrote: 1. Had an anointing. 2. This anointing they received from the Holy One, Christ. 20

21 3. As a result of this anointing ye know all things or you all know. (.The truth) - Before the written word, during the infancy of the church, spiritual gifts served the same purpose as the completed written word does today. (Read 1Cor. Chapter 14) o Spiritual gifts provided revelation and confirmation. o Spiritual gifts provided all truth. (All truth here within the context of what was under consideration concerning the false teachers or antichrist.) The anointing supplied them with such information as they needed to recognize and refute the false teachers who had gone out from the. Why weren t they readily using it? Perhaps they needed the same reminder that Paul gave Timothy: 2Tim. 1:6-7.. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind KJV Also 1Thes. 5:19,20 & 21.. Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. KJV o We must also remember.. The information supplied through these gifts still had to be obeyed. They needed to be Walking in the light, and they needed to be slaves of righteousness, etc. (Just the same as we do.) McGuiggans in his commentary on Revelation relates this information concerning Nicolas (Read Acts 6:3-6): The Nicolaitans are identified by Irenaeus and Hippolytus as a sect which grew out of Nicolas (Acts 6:5) who apostatized from Christ. However they originated, they were known as perverts and decadents. Loose thinking, loose living and just overall loose were their 21

22 characteristics. The Ephesians couldn t bear them. (Page 49) We also need to remember. The mere possession of spiritual gifts did not guarantee to the possessor thereof the impossibility of apostasy. - Consider the following verses: o 1Cor. 12: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits (see 1John 4:1); to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. RSV o Heb. 2:3-4 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? RSV - What may we conclude? o That John wrote to correct a problem, which might have caused Christians to be led astray. o That the anti-christs (which had been predicted) were at work among them, and could be recognized by the fact: 1. That they had left the church s fellowship. 22

23 2. That they had denied Jesus being the Son of God. - But we have defenses against being led astray! o Know that you have the anointing the truth the all-sufficient word of God. Remember what you ve been taught through that anointing. (verses 20 & 27) o Remember that which you have heard from the 23