"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN" Chapter One John begins his first epistle like he does his gospel: with a prologue regarding the Word of Life (Jesus Christ) who dwelt in the flesh among men and made fellowship with the Father possible (1-4). Fellowship with God is maintained as we walk in the light and confess our sins that we might enjoy continual cleansing through the blood of Jesus (5-10). POINTS TO PONDER * The witness of John concerning the Word of Life * The nature of the evidence for faith in Jesus * The basis of our fellowship with God REVIEW QUESTIONS 1) What are the main points of this chapter? - Prologue: The Word of Life - 1Jn 1:1-4 - Fellowship with God - 1Jn 1:5-10 2) How is John’s beginning in this epistle similar to his gospel? (1-4, cf. Jn 1:1-14) - Both begin with a prologue regarding the Word who became flesh 3) How does John describe the pre-incarnation of Jesus? (1) - As "that which was from the beginning" 4) What empirical evidence does John provide concerning the Word? (1) - He has heard, seen with his eyes, handled with hands 5) What does John declare? What does he want to share? Why does he write? (2-4) - Eternal life; fellowship with the Father and His Son; that our joy may be full 6) What message has John heard that he now declares to us? (5) - That God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all 7) If we say we have fellowship with God but walk in darkness, what are we? (6) - Liars who do not practice the truth 8) What do we enjoy as we walk in the light together with God? (7) - Cleansing of all sin by the blood of Christ 9) What if we say that we have no sin? (8,10) - We deceive ourselves, make God a liar, His word and the truth are not in us 10) What’s required to be forgiven of sin and cleansed of all unrighteousness? (9) - To confess our sins