I JOHN While we do not find the name of John in the epistles which bear his name, there is little doubt but that the Holy Spirit used him as the human author. A note of internal evidence that John wrote this book is the fact that he refers to Christ as the "Word" or "logos" as it appears in the Greek. The same is found in his Gospel and also in Revelation. Another word com mon to this epistle, as well as to John's gospel record, is the word "Paraclete," which is translated "Comforter" (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7). This refers to the Holy Spir it. The same appears as "Advocate" in I John 2:1. The word was used only by John. It suggests One who undertakes our cause. He is a friend who stands by us when we are in need. No one can doubt that the author of this epistle had a very close and intimate fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ (I John 1:1-3). When this epistle was written, John was probably the only surviv ing apostle. The years had certainly mellowed this disciple who at one time had leaned on Christ's bosom. As the human author, it was so like him to retire to the background. He was unwilling to speak of him self but always of the Master. He was truly a humble man of God whose soul had been enriched through fellowship with the Lord. The name "John" corresponds to the Old Testament "Jonah" which means "a dove." John was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman on the sea of Galilee. He was doubtless the younger brother of James and per haps was influenced for Christ through the faithful preaching of John the Baptist. He was a loyal witness to the Saviour's Deity. A man like Moses or John may
write five books in which one might find a certain unity and similarity. In each of the books there would also be a marked individuality. The Bible was written in books. God gave it to His human penman one book at a time. There is a pro nounced unity and similarity in the entire Bible. What other volume would commend itself for a book- by-book study, even as much as a word-by-word analysis. This is a general epistle which means that it was not written to any particular group or individual. It is sometimes known as a catholic letter, not re ferring to the church but to the fact that it is to be universally re ceived and applied by all who read it. Some Bible scholars refer to it as a circular letter which is designed to meet the needs of many differ ent congregations as well as indi vidual believers. The time of the writing of I John is about 90 A.D. It is one of the latest, if not the last, books given by the Holy Spirit for the instruc tion and edification of the family of God. It was written to show the divine pattern and program for the life of a Christian. The desire is that those who are already saved may become more fervent in their zeal for the Saviour (I John 5:13). The very first verse indicates the Apostle's first-hand knowledge of the Saviour. He refers to Him as "that which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon." The second statement is not re dundant but comes with greater emphasis. "At first," John tells us, "we saw Him casually. Then we gazed upon Him intently, drinking Him in." He goes further to de clare, "Our hands have handled Him." Thomas was the one who
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