The book of First John

A Verse by Verse Study
Text 1st John 2:20 – 29

 

A. Introduction

     1. Last week we look a lot at verse 20 “But ye have unction from the Holy One,”

          a. We know that the word “unction” is used in a metaphorical way and means anointing.

          b. We also saw that the opportunity to learn the word of God is possible if we study.

    2. In verse 21 we saw, “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”

          a. This verse deals with truth verses lies; if we take advantage of this gift of learning from the Holy Spirit then we know what truth is and what is not.

          b. However it takes work on our part.  

 

B. V. 22 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

     1. I believe this goes much deeper than just denying that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, I believe this is denying who they are.

          a. This indeed includes all who deny who Jesus is and that is God.

          b. But He is also sovereign, He is also gracious, He is also foreknowledge, He is also predestination, He is also the head of the church, and ECT.

          c. To doctrinally deny Jesus, is to deny who He truly is.  

     2. Some say that Jesus is God however they say He does not save sinners. This is denying Jesus.

     3. To accept Jesus for who He is, is to accept Him for who He truly is.

 

C.   V. 24 “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.”

     1. That is if you have the Lord in you, you have all three and if you have the Lord in you then you will continue in the truth.

     2. I do not understand how someone who is truly saved can leave the truths of God’s word and deny the Lord His due. I must question their spiritual condition.

     3. Regardless, we do see here the importance of keeping the truths of God.

 

D. V. 25 “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”

     1. This is not the benefit of standing in the truths, but rather because He is in you. 

     2. We have the promise that if Christ be in us we have eternal life however walking in the truths and the ability of walking in the truths are ours because we have the Holy Spirit in us to teach us.

 

E. V. 26 “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.”

     1. The word seduce means to lead astray, John is telling us to beware of their slick tongues, listen to God’s word and not man. God is truth, man is a liar. Romans 3:4 “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”

     2. This is the reason for 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.”

     3. Again, God is not saying not to hear man, but to believe God over man.

     4. While man may teach us, the Holy Spirit is the true teacher. 1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

 

F. V. 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.”

     1. This is not to be taken out of context, and in context it does not mean that men cannot teach because we know that God calls men to teach.

     2. In context this deals with gathering knowledge and that knowledge come from the Holy Spirit, and while men are teachers we are still to obey God rather than man.

     3. Follow the Spirits teaching and you will not believe a lie.

 

G. V. 28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

     1. “And now, little children” John now switches classes this word “little children” is the Greek word Teknion pronounced tek-nee'-on which means infants which is the first class.

     2. John tells them to “abide in him” means to stay in His truth. These two classes are the most likely to split away.

     4. “when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” Whether at His coming or in death we will face Jesus, will we be ashamed?

 

H. V. 29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”

     1. This goes back to chapter one when John talked about walking in fellowship with God.

     2. We know that God is righteous, but are we, we should be.