I. In 1 John 5:2, we read the words, “By this we know [ginwvskw]”. Know is a keyword throughout this epistle. John introduces many truths with this word.
In the following verses found in 1 John, state what is known, and when possible state how or why it is known.
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Verse |
What is Known? |
How or Why is it Known? |
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1 John 2:3 |
We know that we love Him |
We keep His commandments |
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1 John 2:18 |
We know it is the last days |
Many antichrists are in the world |
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1 John 2:21 |
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1 John 2:29 |
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1 John 3:2 |
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1 John 3:14 |
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1 John 3:15 |
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1 John 3:19 |
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1 John 3:24 |
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1 John 4:2 |
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1 John 4:6 |
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1 John 4:13 |
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1 John 5:2 |
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1 John 5:18 |
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1 John 5:19 |
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II. 1 John 5:6-10 Gnosticism
A. Among the gnostics there was a group called the Cerinthians. They believed that Christ was only a man upon whom the Spirit descended at his baptism and left him in Gethsemane, just prior to the crucifixion.
B. The Docetists were another group of gnostics and they taught that Jesus was not really human, he only appeared to be human.
C. In 1 John 5:6-9, John refutes the teachings of both the Cerinthians and Docetists as he speaks of the witnesses of the water, the blood, and the Spirit.
III. Read 1 John 5:6-12. What is the key word in this passage? Locate witness and testify in Vine's dictionary and record a brief definition of each word.
IV. Read the account of Jesus' baptism in John 1:24-34 and Matthew 3:16,17, and his crucifixion in John 23-35 How does this account of Jesus' baptism and crucifixion refute the teachings of both the Cerinthians and the Docetists?
V. Read 1 John 5:14,15. What do these verses teach about prayer? How must the prayer be asked if God is to grant our requests?