First John is not a book for New Converts (as many pastors and preachers suggest)

First John is not a book for New Converts (as many pastors and preachers suggest)

In our modern denominational churches today, most pastors and preachers will point new converts and uninformed believers to the first epistle of John because it speaks of loving one’s brother, obeying the commandments, walking in the light, and that we are to overcome the world.

Dear friends, even though there are a few trans-dispensational truths in John’s epistle, that we can relate to in this dispensation of grace, the greater majority of first John is an intensely deep book, filled with Kingdom doctrine, which is specifically written for Jews living during the 7-year Tribulation and under the reign of the Antichrist. The advice and commands in this book are absolutely not relevant or appropriate to new converts or uninformed Christians in this age of grace. The content will throw most believers today for a wild loop and place them on a course that is definitely not suitable for grace living today.

Israel has a distinct relationship with God through covenants and law. God works differently with Israel than what He does with grace believers today. It is important to recognise this in the context of Paul’s letters to us and the Hebrew epistles which are for Israel, specifically during the tribulation period.

Let me extract some passages out from First John and provide you the proper contextual explanation of it, and why it is undeniably not doctrine to live and practice in this day and age.

Forgiveness

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The above verse is accurate for Jews under the law. Even Jesus taught this conditional forgiveness in Matt.6:14-15. However, we as the Body of Christ today are not under conditional forgiveness. Due to the cross of Christ we have ALREADY been completely forgiven. Today, Paul writes that because of this, we are to freely go out and forgive others. However, it is not a condition that will determine if God will or will not forgive us, as with Israel. See the following scriptures for context: Eph 1:7; Eph 4:32; Col 1:14.

If new converts who are pointed to 1 John read this verse, then they practice wrong doctrine, or if they read Paul’s references and compare the scriptures, they are left in a confused state as to what to apply. These verses are contradictory to each other. They cannot be merged or blended together. Can you see the predicament!

From the Beginning and In the Last Time (Days)

1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; … 1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. (Also see 1Jn 2:13-14; 1Jn 2:24; 1Jn 3:11 for references to “from the Beginning”).

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Notice these references to specific times. John says, “That which was from the beginning”, and “The word which ye had and have heard from the beginning”. This is prophecy, which is made known from the beginning. This is not the mystery, which was kept secret from the beginning!! (Rom 16:25). Look at 1Jn 2 18. “Little children, it is the last time…”, and, “even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” When is the last time (or the last days)? Well, it is the tribulation period and the Millennial Kingdom. These times are outside of the Mystery Period in which we live. It is doctrine that is not relevant to our period, and certainly not doctrine that new converts should be reading at this time.

Judging People

1Jn 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (Also see 1Jn 2:4-6).

Is this how we judge people today? Is this our standards that we apply in the Body of Christ today? What does Paul say about this?

1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

We don’t judge things out there in the world based on what John wrote. That’s for Israel in the last time (days). We judge from within the Body, using a completely different set of standards. Paul said,

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Do you see, we've got a whole different set of standards to ‘judge’ liars today.

New Covenant Promises

1Jn 2:25-28 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 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. 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.

This sounds a lot like,

Luk 12:11-12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Not so.

1Jn 3:6-10 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. … 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. … 1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

The New Covenant promises according to Jer 31:31-34 and Ezek 36:24-27 speak of a new heart of flesh and an indwelling Spirit. The law of God will be written on the heart of every Jew, so that they need not have to teach their brother and their neighbour. They will all know the Lord and He will cause them to walk in His statutes.

The language that John uses in the above verses is significantly similar to the New Covenant blessings that were prophesied. This again is for Israel in the time of the end. This is blessings that they will take into the Millennial Kingdom. Although we have a newly created inner man within us, we need to fill it with the Word of God, unlike the law that will be engrafted in the hearts of the Jews. We walk by faith and in obedience to the Word within us, but in this end time the Jews will be compelled by a different unction under law and under service in a physical realm.

Personal Confidence, Performance and Salvation

1Jn 3:21-23 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Our confidence is not in our own performance of obedience but in the obedience of Christ Himself. We are justified and saved today by the righteousness of Christ, not by our own righteousness. Clearly, John writes that the Jews in these last days will be evaluated by their own performance. In addition, we believe in the cross of Christ for our salvation whereas John tells us that Jews will believe in the name of the Son of God. Notice these additional verses below,

1Jn 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.

Asking for Anything, and Getting it, and a Sin unto Death

1Jn 5:14-16 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

To a new convert, these verses are extreme. Ask for anything and get it. Wow! Does this not sound like, Mat 7:7-11; Mat 21:22; Luk 11:9-13; Jn 14:13-14; Jn 15:7,16; Jn 16:23-26. All this is great, but it is not for us in grace today. When Paul asked for respite from the thorn in his flesh, the Lord simply told him that His grace is sufficient for Paul. We can ask and petition and the Lord will hear us and respond as He sees fit, but the asking that the Jews will do in the Kingdom is on another level. Since the law is written on their hearts, that which they ask will be in the will and purpose for them and will receive immediate results. Just look at the power of prayer in the apostles of Acts. Today we walk by faith, not by signs and wonders.

Lastly the verse above deals with sin unto death. What is this? Well, for us today, there is no sin unto death. If we believe in Jesus Christ, we are justified and saved by God’s grace, no matter how deep down in the gutters we were. But, like the Jews in Acts, blasphemy towards the Holy Spirit was an unforgiveable sin. Since they rejected the prophets which God sent, and they rejected the Messiah by crucifying Him, the last straw is rejection of the Holy Spirit. Beyond these there is no more grace to save. In the last days to which John is writing here, if men take the mark of the beast and ally with him and his mark, there is no grace left to save that person. Rejection in these last days is stepping outside of the grace and means by which God has determined to save us. For us under grace, we have access to God’s grace through Christ and it is His righteousness that is provisioned to us when we believe in God’s Son.

Conclusion

First John is not milk for a new convert. It is not food for an uninformed believer. The content of this book can really mess up the faith of those who do not rightly divide the scriptures. First John (in the Hebrew curriculum of epistles) is on par with Ephesians in the curriculum of Paul’s epistles for Grace believers. In the curriculum, both books are the fifth book up the order and focus on setting the sights on increasing in knowledge and sonship after the foundations of salvation and faith are set.

God bless.