WHY1JOHN5:1DOESNOTSUPPORTCALVINISM

THECONTEXTOF1JOHNREFUTESTHEIMPOSITIONOFCALVINSMONANYOFITSPASSAGES

WHY1JOHN5:1CANNOTSUPPORTCALVINISM

www.beyondthefundamentals.com

1John5:1(KJV)1 WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChristisbornofGod:andeveryonethatloveth himthatbegatloveth him

alsothatisbegottenofhim.

Inthisvideo,we’regoingtotalkabouttheerrorsthatCalvinistsaremakingwhentheycite1John5:1andotherversesfrom1JohnthinkingthattheysupportGnosticism.Rememberthatalloftheslidesusedforthisvideocanbedownloadedatwww.beyondthefundamentals.cominthe“ClassNotes”tab.Whileyouratthewebsite,thisministrycanbesupportedfinanciallyviathepapallinkonthehomepage.Thesevideosandresourcestakealotoftimeandeffort,andtheyrequiremaintenanceofmanyhigh-valuedevicesandvideoequipment.Yourinvolvementwillbeahugehelp,anditwillhelpusproducemorecontentwithgreaterfrequency.Downloadtheslidesandfollowalong.Wekeepthesevideosatasteadypacetosaveyoutime,andslidesaredesignedtomakefollowingalongalittleeasier.

AGENDA• HowCalvinistsread1John5:1

• GnosticPresupposition:Regenerationprecedesfaith• 1John2:29and1John4:7

• John’spurposeinwriting• 1John1:4;2:1,8,12,13,21,26,5:13

• Theanti-purposeandprompttoJohn’swriting• Seducers(2:26)• Antichrists(2:18;2:22;4:3;2John1:7)• Hearingonesideofa[phone]conversation

• Establishingabaseline• InterpretingPassagesinaccordancewithstatedpurpose

Itoiledoverthetitleofthisvideoalittlebit.Thereasonisbecausethemisuseof1John5:1makesforagreatopportunitytodoareviewofthisentirebookinordertoexaminethecontextanduseitasateachablemoment.Soitcouldbetitledareviewof1John.ButIdidn’twantthefactthatitalsorevolvesaroundandhasthestartingandendingpointofrefutingtheCalvinistviewof1John5:1togounmentioned.Sothiscouldbeseenasanopportunitycosteitherwayitistitled.Butnowyouknow.IthinkBiblestudentsofallexperiencelevelsaregoingtofindthisvideoquitehelpfulwhenitcomestounderstandingthebookof1John,andhowtoproperlyassignthemeaningofeachpassageinthisshortbook.

1John5:1(KJV)1 WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChristisbornofGod:andeveryonethatlovethhimthatbegatlovethhimalsothatisbegottenofhim.

1John5:1(666)1 WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChristwaspreviously bornofGodpriortobelieving:andeveryonethat

lovethhimthatbegatlovethhimalsothatis

begottenofhim.Preconceiveddoctrinethatcauses

themtoseethispassageinthewrongway:regenerationprecedesfaith

Calvinistshavedoctrinesinmind,andthensearchthescripturesforproofsofthosedoctrines.Theydon’tevenrealizeit,buttheyreadtheirideasintothe

text,andusethemasifothersdothesame,allthewhile,ignoringthecontext.

Ifwewantedtomakethisverseaboutthesalvationprocess,wecouldjustaseasilyleaveitlikeitis,andjustaddtheword“then”beforethephrasebornofGod.So,it’scleartoseethattheverseisactuallyquiteneutralonthematter,andwhenitcomestoalteringtheversetomatchabelief,it’salotclosertotheBiblicalmethodofsalvationthatitistotheGnosticmethodofsalvation.Theproblemwithbothoftheseisthatthisverseisnotatallaboutanymethodororderofsalvationwhatsoever.

1John5:1(555)1 WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChrististhenbornofGod:andeveryonethatlovethhimthatbegatlovethhimalsothatisbegottenofhim.

1John5:1(555)1 Whosoever

believeththatJesusistheChrististhenbornofGod:andeveryonethatlovethhimthatbegatlovethhim

alsothatisbegottenofhim.

Thesinglebiggestproblemwithapproachingscripturewithpreconceiveddoctrinesalreadyinyourmindisthatitcausesyoutocompletelymisswhatthepassageisactuallyabout.Sowhatyouneedtodoisclearyourmindofanypreconceivedthoughts,andletyourmindbeinformedsolelybythetext,andbynothingelse,shyoftheHolySpirit.SomepassagesandbooksoftheBiblecanbechallengingwhenitcomestoidentifyingthecentralideaofthetext.Fortunately,however,Johnisknownforgivingusveryclearstatementsaboutexactlywhyheiswriting.Therearetwothingsin1Johnhelpusidentifywhyheiswriting.Thefirstidentifieristhecombinationofstatementsaboutwhyheiswriting.Thesecondthingistheidentificationofoppositiontowhat Johniswriting.Johnlabelsthisoppositionastwothings:“antichrists,”and“themthatseduceyou.”

Theoppositionaspectofthisbookisactuallyveryhelpful.Theantichristandseducersareleadingthebelieversastraywithfalsedoctrine.SowhatJohnisdoingisreestablishingthesounddoctrinetocounteractthefalsedoctrineandpeoplethathavemisleadthem.Sowe’llseethatwhatJohniswritinginthislettercluesusintowhattheseducersweretellingthem.Johnishavingtocorrectit.SowitheachpointJohnmakes,wecanask,whatwouldaseducerorantichristhavesaidthatwouldpromptJohntocorrectitwiththisstatement?Thentheresultinginvestigationintotheanswertothatquestioncanbeveryrevealing.Alwaysrememberthatyoucanneveraskwrongquestionsinhermeneutics.Wejustneedtobecarefulwiththeanswerswefindtothequestions,andmakesurethatourbiasesandpresuppositionsaren’tprovidinganswerswheretheevidencedoesn’t.

That’swheretheCalvinistsgowrongwiththeirprooftexts.Theyaren’taskinganyhermeneuticalquestions,andtheyaren’tinvestigatingthetext,context,historyorcultureforanswers.Theyalreadyhavetheanswerstheyneed,andtheyjustneedtofindatexttomatch.Thus,thereasoncontextandCalvinismnevergotogether.Solet’shavealookattheopposition,andthewarningtoseparatetruthfromerror.OneofthemostinterestingreasonsJohngivesforwritingisinchapter2verse26,whichsays,“ThesethingshaveIwrittenuntoyouconcerningthemthatseduceyou.”SoweknowthatsomebodyhasseducedJohn’saudience.Whowerethesepeopleandwhatdidtheysay?Johncallsthemantichristinchapter2andinchapter4.Boththehistoriccultureandthecontentofthebookcanclueusintowhois

1John2:18,22,26;4:3(KJV)2:18 Littlechildren,itisthelasttime:andasyehaveheardthatantichrist shallcome,evennowaretheremanyantichrists;wherebyweknowthatitisthelast

time.2:22 Whoisaliarbuthethatdenieth thatJesusistheChrist?Heisantichrist,thatdenieth theFatherandthe

Son.2:26 Thesethings haveIwrittenuntoyouconcerning

themthatseduceyou.4:3 Andeveryspiritthatconfesseth notthatJesusChristiscomeinthefleshisnotofGod:andthisisthatspiritofantichrist,whereofyehaveheardthatitshouldcome;andevennowalreadyisitintheworld.

seducingthesebelieversthatcompriseJohn’saudience.FromActs17:18,wealreadyknowthatthecenterofHellenizedcultureinGreecefeaturedStoicks andEpicureans.TheStoicks werebasicallytheStarTrekVulcansoftheGrecianculture.Allreason.Noemotion.AhyperboleoftheEpicureanswouldbetosaythattheywerehedonists.Theyhadaverypragmaticapproachtogettingthemostoutoflife,thoughnotwiththecompleteabandonmentyou’dassociatewithmodernhedonism.Theywereofficiallyatheisticbutadvocateddevotiontotheculture’sgodssincecontemplatingthemcouldbringanindividualaestheticpleasure.ThereweremanyformsofPaganism,butthemostfamouswouldbetheofficialRomanpaganism.Thisoriginatedwithgod-manworshippingsystemthatstartedinBabylon,andthenmadeit’swaythroughPergamosandfinallytoRomewiththe

RomanCaesarsfillingthegod-manpositionasemperor.Theyhadcelibatepriest,vestalvirginsasbothnunsandprostitutes,andfemaledeitieswhocouldconvenientlybereplacedbyMary,iftheywereinabind.TherewasgroupthatwouldlatercometobeknownasAriansandArianism,asitwouldbearthenameofAriusatleastaroundAD250,butthesystemprecededhimbyfar.ThesebelievedthatSpiritandfleshwereseparate,andthereforeJesuscouldnotbeGodandmusthavejustbeenagreatman.TheGnosticsalsosawseparationofspiritandflesh,buttheirconclusionwasthatJesusnotliterallybeintheflesh.Thereforehemusthavejst beensomekindofapparition.Aghosttypefigure,ifhewereGod,sinse thefleshcanonlycontaminate.Jesusmusthavebeenpresentwithnocontaminatingflesh.

GnosticismshouldespeciallycatchourattentionbecausethesurvivedformsofGnosticismin2018iswhatwecallCalvinismtoday.Wehavetoseparatelabelsandpractices.AlotofmoderndayGnosticsdetestthelabelof“gnostic,”andtheytrytodisavowthatlabelonthegroundsthatsomeGnosticsbelievedthingsthattheydonot.TherearetwoprimarywaysthatsomethingtodaycanperpetuateGnosticism.

ThefirstoneisinthewaygnosticknowledgeisgainedtobeginwithGnosticknowledgeisESOTERIC.Thatis,itishiddeninnature,andthereisnoconventionaloracademicwayofgainingtheknowledgerequired.Certainelect,selectpersonnelwerechosentogaintheknowledge.Gnosticmeans“knower.”Sothiswasasystembuiltaroundhowtoknow,andtherewasnowaydoknowwithouttherightpeople.Thereisamasterandanapprentice,andonlythemaster,thegurucouldgiveyouthegoods.InGnosticism,sacredtextsdon’tactuallymeanwhattheysay.Theyarenotliteral.Everythingisallegorical.Thatis,everythinglistedisasymbolofsomethingelse.ThusBoazandJachin arenottwopeoplewithpillarsinthetemple,theyaretwogreatprinciplesofbeingandloveintheuniverse.Howwouldyouknowthat?You’dhavetohavesomeonetellyou,becausethetextdoesnotspecify.

Likewise,ifthetextsaysthatChrist“diedforall,”or“tasteddeathforeveryman,”orlikein1John,heisthepropitiationforoursins,andnotforoursonly,butalsoforthesinsofthewholeworld,”noneofthosetextsmeanwhattheysayinGnosticism.Theyallmeansomethingelse.Somethingfigurative.Howdoyouknowthat?Well,you’dhavetohavesomeonetellyou.Aguru.Anascendedmasterofwisdom.Onlysomeonewhohashadspecialtruthrevealedtothemoutsideofwhatthetextactuallysayscanpossiblyknowthis.ThisishowGnosticismworks.Onlyaselectfew,calledthe“elect,”inourmoderncaseofGnosticism,wouldknowthemeaningtoapplytothetext,sincethetextdoesnotcomeoutandsayit.Thisisabsolutedemonicpaganism.ThisisthehistoricandreligiouscontextbehindwhichJohngiveschapter2verse27,“Yeneednotthatanymanteachyou.”

ThesegnosticguruswouldcomealongandtellthebelieversthattheirbodyoftruthinChristianity,inourcaseitwouldbetheBible,wasnotenoughtotransmitallthetruththattheyneedtoknow.Thereisanentirerealmofuntapped,hiddeninformationthatonlytheirteachersandtheirsystemcoulddeliver.TheywouldconvincethebelieverthattheirBibleatthetime,theirbodyofChristiantruthwasnotenough,notwhole,notcomplete,andthattheyneededoneofthesespecialmentoteachthemallthetruththeyneeded.That’swhyJohnhastotellthem,“yeneednotthatanymanteachyou,”becausethebelieveralreadyhadacompletesetoftruthasdeliveredfromtheapostles,containedinthescriptureandteachingtheyhaduptothatpointintime.SothefirstwaythatasystemisGnosticisnotnecessarilyinthespecificteachingsthatitespouse,butthemodeofhow

Informationintransferred.Tothem,itisesoteric,hidden,secret,notclearorunderstandableinanyplainandclearwrittenformthatanyliteralpersoncangrasp.EverytimeaCalvinistemploys1Cor.2:14asifitisreferencingalostpersonnotbeingabletograspthegospelwithoutspecialhelp,theyareespousingtheGnosticmodeofesotericinformationtransfer.WeChristianshavealwaysbelievedintheperspicuityofscripture.Thatis,itisclearandplain,andanyliteratepersoncaneasilygraspthemainideas.Soifscripturesays“hediedforall,”or“thefreegiftofjustificationtolifecameuponallmen,”or“heshouldtastedeathforeveryman,”or“whowillhaveallmentobesavedandtocometotheknowledgeofthetruth,”or“forthesinsofthewholeworld,”thatisexactlywhatthosepassagesmean,andthereisnotsomehiddenmeaningthathastobeunlocked

Byacertainsystemofthinking,orbyacertainkindofteacher,orbyaspecificspiritofanascendedmaster.Thetextmeansexactlywhatitsaysunlessthereisaclearindicationinthecontextthatthetextcontainsaparableorsymbolism,whichwhenthatisthecase,thecontextisveryclearthatitisthecase,suchastheparablesthatJesustold,orthesymbolsforwhichJohngivesthemeaningsinthebookofRevelation.SomeofthesephrasesthatCalvinistdonotbelievearesoclearthateventuallyyouhavetoaskyourself,ifJesusreallywasthepropitiationforthesinsofthewholeworld,thenhowelsecouldthetexthavepossiblywordedit?OrwhatSHOULDthetextsay,ifthatwerethecase.ThatisthefirstwaythatsomethingcanperpetuateGnosticism.Regardlessofthebeliefsthemselves,thesystemwilladvocatetheideathatessentialknowledgeistransferredbysomeesoteric

Means,outsidethegraspandunderstandingofnormalliteratepeoplewhohaveaccesstothetext.ThatisGnosticism,thatisCalvinism.

ThesecondwaythatGnosticismisperpetuatedisthatitcarriesoverspecifictenantsorteachingsfromaspecificsectofGnosticismfromthepast.InthecaseofCalvinism,itcarriesoverslightlymodifiedversionsofteachingsthatoriginateinwhatiscalledManichaeism,orManichaeanGnosticism.AllfivepointsoftheCalvinistTULIPoriginateinManichaeanGnosticism.Thedetailsofthatwillhavetobecoveredinaseparatevideodedicatedjusttothatissue,butallfivepointstracebacktothatsytem.IfyouknowanythingaboutCalvinism,youknowthatthosefivepointsarejustthetipoftheiceburg,andthatthereisalotmoretoCalvinism

…thanjusttheTULIP.SoabetterwaytowordthiswouldbethatnotjusttheTULIP,buteverydistinctiveofCalvinismarisesfromManichaeanGnosticism.Adistinctiveissomethingthatisuniquetothatgroup,orsomethingthatonlythatgroupbelieves.Forexample,aCalviniststriedtoretortagainstthisfactofhisdistinctivestrackingbacktoManichaeanGnosticismbysayingthatthe5solas didnotcomefromthatsystem.Well,the5solas arenotuniquetoCalvinism.Theyarefeatures,buttheyarenotdistinctiveofCalvinism,becausetherearenon-Calvinistswhoalsoespousethe5solas.SowearenottalkingaboutmerefeaturesofCalvinism.WearetalkingaboutthingsthatareuniquetoCalvinism.ThethingsthatmakeCalvinismdistinctfromotherChristians:theirdistinctives.

Calvinism/GnosticismTotalDepravityUnconditionalElectionLimitedAtonementIrresistibleGracePerseveranceoftheSaints+Distinctives

FiveSolas:SolaSriptura- “ScriptureAlone”SolaFide- “FaithAlone”SolaGratia- “GraceAlone”Solus Christus- “ChristAlone”SoliDeo Gloria- “TothegloryofGodalone”

Thesearefeatures,notdistinctives

Example:Alionmaneisdistintinctive ofthemaleonly.

Histeethandclawsarefeatures,buttheyarenot

distinctivesincefemalesalsohavethem.

Here’stheshortversion.ManichaeanGnosticismwasstartedbyaguynamesManeswholivedfromc.216– c.276AD.Aprominentapologistwhospentjustunder10yearsadvocatingforthissystemwasaguynamedAugustine,laterknownasAugustineofhippo.HelivedfromAD354-430.HerejectedChristianityearlierinhislifebecausehedidn’tliketheGodoftheOldTestament,butconvertedtoChristianityafterhisstintinManichaeismafterAmbroseshowedhimthattheOldTestamentcouldbeallegorizedaway,anddidn’thavetobetakenasliteralhistory.AugustinespentagoodwhiledebatingandrefutingtheManichaeansafterhissupposedconversiontoChristianity.ThisistoutedbyCalvinistsas“proof”thathewasnotlongerManichaeaninhisthinking.Andthisgoesbacktoshowyouhowhurtfulitistohavetheologicalleadersinthechurchwhohavenoreal

…lifeexperiencesoutsideoffakeministry.Calvinistsareonlyadmittinghownaïvetheyarewhentheyusethisdefense.Anyonewithanounceofexperienceinforeignintelligence,lawenforcement,orthemilitaryknowsthatthisisexactlywhatapersonhastodoinordertoestablishacoversothattheycansuccessfullyinfiltratethebadguys.Later,AugustinewoulddebatethehereticPelagiusovermanyyears.Indoingthis,hedemonstratedthathehadnocommandwhatsoeverofanysoundBibledoctrineandrevertedbacktohisManichaeandoctrineinordertorefutePelagius.AugustinethenwentontogodownasthefatherofCatholictheology.Sotwoheretics,AugustineandPelagius,shapedtheologicalthinkingforthenext1,000years,andusheredinthedarkages.BothLutherandCalvinthoughtthatAugustinewashotstuff,sotheCatholicsquabbleknownasthereformationwas

…merelyarevivalofAugustine’sManichaeanGnosticismonthetheologicalfront.OfcourseCalvinwasmuchworsethanLuther,butbothofthemwentontoestablishbaby-baptizingstatechurchesthatbasicallywoundupasCatholic-litebutwithnon-papaljurisdiction,allthewhilecontinuingthepersecutionoftheanabaptists.SothatisthesecondwayasystemcanbeconnectedtoGnosticism,byperpetuatingactualtenantsthatweretaught,thoughperhapsinmodifiedordilutedform.ManeswasapromulgatorofwhatwemighttodaycallTheosophy,aspopularizedbyMadamHelenaPetrovnaBlavatsky.Thatis,ablendingofalltheologicalandphilosophicalthoughtdeemedtoberelevantintoasingleunifiedsystem.Manesincludeddoctrinesfromthefareast,Christianity,andsomefromPaganism.

ManichaeismwasaChristianformofGnosticism,inthatitattemptstoincorporateJesusofNazarethasakeyreligiousfigure.Whilethebookof1JohnwaswrittenaroundorbeforeAD90,andAriusandManesdidn’tcomearounduntillater,Gnosticismwasstillprevalent.GnosticismpredatesManes,andpredatesChristianityaswell.ItjustcametoincorporateChristwhenhearrivedsinceitwasamajorsystem.SoregardingChrist,AriantypethinkingwasthatChristwasmerefleshandcouldnothavealsobeenGod.GnosticthinkingwasthatifJesuswasGod,hecouldnothaveactuallybeenreal,physicalflesh.It’simportanttonotethatthesetypesofdualisticsystemswerearoundlongbeforeChristcame.ButwhenChristdidcome,theyincorporatedChristintotheirofficialsystems.

Itwasnotuniqueornewforthesesystemstoincorporatenewsystemsthatarose.Thatwasameansofstayingrelevant.ButitishelpfultonotethatthesesystemsarebasicallypagansystemsthatincorporateChristasanafterthought,andnotasastartingpoint.Now,foraChrist-followerinthefirstcentury,withnoBible,itwouldbeveryeasytostayseparatefromformsofpaganismthatrenouncedChrist,ordidnotrecognizehim.ButimaginehowconfusingitmightbeforanewbelieverwithoutacompleteBibletobeconfrontedwithalltheseconflictingsystems,allclaimingtopossesstherealtruthaboutJesusofNazareth.ItwaslikelydifficultforsometorealizethedifferencebetweenlearningsomethingnewbutlegitimateaboutChrist,vs.acceptingsomethingthatconstitutedtransitioningtoafalsepagansystemthatmerely

…incorporatedChristintotheirtheology.SotothefirstcenturyChristian,theseformsofpaganismwerepresentingthemselvesasbeingharmlessasanalternativedenominationistoapluralist,buttheywereactuallyteachingdangerousandfundamentallydifferentconceptsundertheguiseofChristianity.

Sothetypeofdeceptionthat’soccurringhereisnotlikearepresentativeofaknownalternatetryingtopersuadethemtochangetoanewbeliefsystem.Thesearepeoplecomingalong,claimingtoalsobeChristianslikethem,butalsoclaming tohaveadditionalinformationaboutChrist,belieforpracticethattheydon’thaveyet.Therefore,whenJohnisequippingthemtofightfalsehood,

…hecan’tjustgivethemlabels,like,stayawayfromxyzdenomination.Hehastoidentifythembyclaimandpractice.SothesearepeopleclaimingtobeChristianslikethem,buttheybelieveorpracticesomethingthatisn’ttrue.LookcarefullyathowJohnwordsthis.1John1:6(KJV)6 Ifwesay thatwehavefellowshipwithhim,andwalkindarkness,welie,anddonotthetruth:1John1:8(KJV)8 Ifwesay thatwehavenosin,wedeceiveourselves,andthetruthisnotinus.1John1:10(KJV)10 Ifwesay thatwehavenotsinned,wemakehimaliar,andhiswordisnotinus.

SosomebodyisclaimingtohavefellowshipwithGodbuttheyarewalkingindarkness,soJohntellsthemhowtospotthephony.SotheChristiansays,“Christdiedforoursins.” Butthesephoniesfollowupwith,“Wedon’thaveanysinthatsomeoneelseneedstodiefor.”TheChristiansays,“ButwearesinnersandneedaSavior!” Thephoniessay,“Speakforyourselfbuddy.I’moneofthechosen.Iwedon’thavethissinproblemyouspeakof.Ourrealselvesarespiritual,andit’sjusttheflesh,notus,thatdidthesinning.Wejustneedtobespiritualinsteadofmaterial.”Soifsomeoneissayingorclaimingthisstuffaboutsin,thenthetruthisnotinthem,andtheyaren’treallyoneofus.

Sowhatweseeinthebookof1Johnisalistofclaimsthataredesignedtocountertheclaimsoffalsebrethrenwhoaren’treallyBibleChristians.WecanascertainwhattheseseducerswereteachingsimplybylookingatwhatJohnissayingandaskingthequestion,“WhatwouldafalseteacherbesayingsothatJohnfeltlikeheneedtocorrectitwiththisstatement?”Everythingin1Johniscorrecterrorsthatwerebeingtaughtbyseducers,antichrists,andliars.SowhatJohnisdoinghereiswhatwewouldcallintheITworld,establishingabaseline.Abaselineistheestablishmentofaknownconfigurationforasystemorgroupofsystemssothatanyvariationcanbeaddressedbycomparingandturningbacktothebaseline.Forexample,anITbaselineforanycompanywouldincludeeitherminimumorspecifichardwareconfigurationrequirements.

Ahardwarebaselinewouldbelikesaying,“AllworkstationswillbeDellLatitude5450withani7,atleasta500GBharddrive,8GBofRAM,andaVideocardthatsupportssimultaneousHDMI,DVIandmini-displayport.”Thehardwarebaselinewouldgoontospecifyservers,networkgear,routers,switches,IDS,IPS,dependingonwhatyouintendedtooutsourceorprovisionin-house.Yoursoftwarebaselinewouldspecifyoperatingsystems,securitysoftware,hardeningsettings,virtualmachines,applicationsoftware,etc…Thisway,wheneversomethingwentwrong,youcouldalwaysgobacktothebaselinetore-establishoperations.Withoutgettingintobackupsandconfigurationrestoration,thesebaselineswouldbethestartingpoing foranysystem,andthebasisofongoingmaintenance.

Johnisre-establishingabaselinewiththesebelievers.Today,ourbaselineisscripture.Butremember,theseearlybelieversdidn’thaveacompletedBiblelikewedo.TheirBiblewasthebodyofrevealedtruthuptothattime,whichJohnisn’tfinishedwritingyet.SoJohnislistingthetruthsandpracticesthatestablishthecorrectChristianbaselineinthefaceofseducersandantichrists,sothisgivesusafairlyclearlookatwhattheywereteaching.WhenitcomestoChrist,hecameintheflesh.WhenitcomestotheidentityofJesus,heistheSonofGod.WhenitcomestootherChristians,welovethem.Whenitcomestopracticalbehavior,wepursuerighteousness.WhatthismeansisthattherearesomepeoplesayingthatChristisnotcomeintheflesh,probablysayingthathewasjustaspiritofsomekind.

SomeoneisapparentlyteachingthatJesusisnottheSonofGod,ormaybethatGoddidn’thaveanySonatallofanykind,liketheMuslimsteach.SomebodywassupportingthespitefulandhatefultreatmentofothergroupsofChristians,andsomebodywasspreadingtheideathattheChristianlifeisafree-for-allofhedonismandfrivolity.Theywereprobablyteachingthatyoucoulddowhateverthematerialfleshwantsbecauseitcannotcrossoverandaffectthespiritrealm.SoJohnisupagainstallsortsoffundamentallyfalseteachingsthatareallcomingfrompeoplewhoclaimtobefollowersofJesusofNazareth.Withsomuchoppositioncomingfromsomanydirections,callingoutthespecificgroups,individualsandfalsehoodsexhaustivelywouldlikelybeadauntingandlengthyundertaking.

Soinstead,JohnoptsthroughtheHolySpirittore-dressthebasicfundamentalsofChristianbeliefandpracticethatareunderattack.InRevelation,JohncallsouttheNicolaitanswhenrelayingChrist’swords,andin3John,hesinglesoutDiotrephes.WeknowthatPaulsinglesoutfalseteachersbynameallthetime.ButJohn’sapproachhereinthissituationistoissueablanketresistanceoferrorbyrecoveringthebasicfundamentaltruthsandpracticesthatshouldoccupytheChristians’attentionsandefforts.SoaswegothroughthespecificationslistedinthebookofJohn,wecanfairlyeasilyascertainwhattheerrorwasthathewasfightingagainst.

Revelation2:6(KJV)6 Butthisthouhast,thatthou

hatest thedeedsoftheNicolaitans,whichIalsohate.

Revelation2:15(KJV)15 Sohastthoualsothemthat

holdthedoctrineoftheNicolaitans,whichthingIhate.

3John1:9(KJV)9 Iwroteuntothechurch:butDiotrephes,wholoveth tohavethepreeminenceamongthem,

receiveth usnot.

BaselineofFaithandPractice:- thoseinfellowship,walkinthelight- 1:5-7- wehavesin,andhavesinned,andmustconfessit- 1:8-10- Christispropitiationforthesinsofthewholeworld- 2:2- ThosewhoknowChristkeephiscommandments- 2:3-4- ThosewhoabideinChristwalktoreflectit- 2:6- Thoseinthelightlovetheirbrother- 2:9- Sinsareforgiven- 2:12- Theworldcannotovercomethebeliever- 2:13-14- ThosethatloveGoddohiswillanddonotlovetheworld- 2:15-17- TherearemanyantichristswhoopposeChristandHisChurch- JesusistheChrist- 2:22- JesusistheSonofGod- 2:22-23- STICKWITHWHATYOU’VEHEARDFROMTHESTART- 2:24- EternallifeisassociatedwiththeJesusanddoctrineI’vetaughtyou- 2:25- Someofthemhavebeenseducedalready- 2:26- NoneedforEsotericteacherswithdifferentinfo- 2:27- WearesonsofGod- 3:1-2- Sonspurifythemselves- 3:3- Christisthemeansoftakingawaysin- 3:5- RighteousnessandSindonotmix- 3:7-9- Lovethebrethren- 3:10-18- Theworldwillhateyou- 3:13-15- (thoseclaimingtobeChristianswerejoiningupwiththe[Gnostics]andhatingtheChristians)- ControversiesoftheSpirits- 3:24- fleshwantstogoalongtogetalong,butsomethinginsideyouknowsbetter- JesusChristiscomeintheflesh- 4:2-3(antichrist)- Authoritativeinfosourcing(notexactlyconsensus)- 4:4-6- Love- 4:7-12(propitiation,love,world- 9-10)- Spirit’sTestimonyofGod’sSonasSavioroftheWorld- 4:13-14- JesusistheSonofGod- 4:15- Godislove;dwellinginGodisdwellinginlove- 4:16- Lovecastsoutfear(falsesystemsarebasedonfearforself)- 4:18- LoveGodandlovebrother- 4:19-20- ThosewhobelievethatJesusistheChristaretheonesthatarebornofGod- 5:1- JesusisthesonofGod(thisisinreverseorderfromv.1)- 5:5- Jesusisanaturalhumanwithawaterbirthandblood- 5:6- HeavenlyunityoftheFather,Hord,HolyGhost- 5:7- EarthlyunityofSpirit,Water,Blood- 5:8- DeityandHumanityofChrist- 5:7-8- WitnessofGodisgreaterthanthewitnessofmen- 5:9- GodgavehisSon- 5:10- GodgaveenterallifeinHisson- 5:11-12- BelieveonthenameoftheSonofGod(asopposedtotheseducer’sprescriptionforeternallife)- 5:13

Iknowthisfontissmallandit’snotpracticaltobeviewedonthisvideoscreen.I’llenlargeitinsmallerportionsinjustasecond.ButIwanttotakethisopportunitytoemphasizetheimportanceofviewingbooksoftheBiblewithasinglebig-pictureviewpoint.Thesepassagesarelikeaparade.Thedetailsofeachfloatwouldneedtobeviewedupclose.Butthewholeconceptoftheparadeisbestviewedfromaskyscraper.Rememberthatit’salwaysideatomovefromgeneraltospecific.Startwithalargeperspectiveandviewpoint,andthenhoneinonthespecifics,keepingthebiggerpictureinmind.Itisfailuretodothisthatleadstoeisegesis.Thatiswetendtofillinthegapsofwhatwedon’tknowaboutapassagewithourownpre-conceivedideasandbiases.Whatwewantinsteadisexegesis.Thatis,thetextclearlycommunicatestousinanunobstructedway,exactly

…whatitisthattheoriginalauthorwastryingtosaytotheoriginalaudience.Oncewecanseethisclearlywithoutanybiasorobstruction,that’swhenwecanstartaskinghowitappliestousin2018doctrinally,practically,andspiritually.Theclearmeaningisn’talwaysobvious,andinthosecases,weneedtoidentifythedifficulty,andrefrainfromrushinghastilyintoanapplicationthatmightnotmatchtheactualintentofthetext.ThetenantsofCalvinismarearrivedatexactlyoppositeoftheexegesisprocess.CalvinistsaretaughttheTULIPsystemandassociateddoctrines.Thentheyapproachscripturewithnoregardforcontextwhatsoever,insearchofwordsandphrasethattheymightbeabletousetobolstertheirTULIPsystem,completelyignoringtheoriginalintentoftheauthortotheoriginalaudience.Theonlytimetherefertocontext,isiftheythinkthere’sawaytoshadeit

…inamannerthatfurtherbolstersthebiasesoftheirsystem.Forexample,they’llpointtotheGreeksinJohn12:20inanattempttosupporttheideathat“all”doesn’tmean“all”inJohn12:32,buttheystillhavenointerestintheoriginalintent.Soit’snotthattheyneverrefertothecontextatall.It’sjustthattheyhavenoregardwhatsoeverfortheunbiasedoriginalintentrevealedinthecontext.Theyareonlyinterestedinwhattheythinkcanhelpthembolsterthesystemintowhichtheyaretryingtocramscripture,andwithwhichtheylimitGod’ssovereignty.SoletslookatthesestatementsJohnmakes,andconsiderwhatfalseteachingmighthavepromptedJohntoreestablishthebaselineoftruthintheseparticularareas.

BaselineofFaithandPractice:- thoseinfellowship,walkinthelight- 1:5-7– thosewalkingindarknessclaimedtobeinfellowship- wehavesin,andhavesinned,andmustconfessit- 1:8-10– sinisnotanissue,orcanbeaddressedsomeotherway- Christispropitiationforthesinsofthewholeworld- 2:2

- 1John4:9-10,14– Christistheproperpropitiationforsomepeople,buttherestofthepeopleeitherdon’tneedChrist,orhavesomeotherpropitiation- ThosewhoknowChristkeephis commandments- 2:3-4- ThosewhoabideinChristwalk toreflectit- 2:6- Thoseinthelightlovetheirbrother- 2:9– it’sokaytohatefullyoppose- Sinsareforgiven- 2:12– asceticismneededtohavesinsforgiven- Theworldcannotovercomethebeliever- 2:13-14– fleshmayovercomespirit- ThosethatloveGoddohiswillanddonotlovetheworld- 2:15-17– ArianandGnosticsystemswerefaddishandpolitically“correct”atthetime- TherearemanyantichristswhoopposeChristandHisChurch– 2:18- JesusistheChrist- 2:22- Jesusisnottheanointedone/Christ- JesusistheSonofGod- 2:22-23– JesusisnotGod’sson/Godissonless- STICKWITHWHATYOU’VEHEARDFROMTHESTART- 2:24– whatyou’veheardsofarisincompleteandwrong- EternallifeisassociatedwiththeJesusanddoctrineI’vetaughtyou- 2:25– eternallifeisattainablethroughothermeansaccordingtosomeotherteachingoreffort- Someofthemhavebeenseducedalready- 2:26- NoneedforEsotericteacherswithdifferentinfo- 2:27– usefulinfoonlyavailablefromGnosticgurus

John1:41(KJV)41 Hefirstfindeth hisownbrotherSimon,andsaith untohim,WehavefoundtheMessias,whichis,beinginterpreted,

theChrist.

- Wearenow sonsofGod- 3:1-2– someothergroup,orsomeextraeffortrequired,ornotpossible- Sonspurifythemselves- 3:3– advocatingdebaucherywithnoconsequences- Christisthemeansoftakingawaysin- 3:5– Christineffective/othermeansmoreeffective- RighteousnessandSindonotmix- 3:7-9– thoseprofessingtoberightadvocatingsin- Lovethebrethren- 3:10-18– spitefulagainstthebrethren- Theworldwillhateyou- 3:13-15– dowhat’spopular,makeeveryonelineyou- (thoseclaimingtobeChristianswerejoiningupwiththe[Gnostics]andhatingtheChristians)- ControversiesoftheSpirits- 3:24- fleshwantstogoalongtogetalong,butsomethinginsideyouknowsbetter

- JesusChristiscomeintheflesh- 4:2-3– antichristsayingthatChristcannotbeamaterialbeing- Authoritativeinfosourcing(notexactlyconsensus)- 4:4-6– thosewholistentoadifferentauthoritydosobecausetheyareofadifferentnatureandhaveadifferentauthority- Love- 4:7-12(propitiation,love,world- 9-10)– utilitarianism- Spirit’sTestimonyofGod’sSonasSavioroftheWorld- 4:13-14–Jesusnotneededforentireworld,regionalized,othersavingoptionsavailable- JesusistheSonofGod- 4:15– Jesusnottheson,orGoddidn’thaveason- Godislove;dwellinginGodisdwellinginlove- 4:16– Godisvindictive,hatefultonon-elect,andloveisaselectiveperipheral,notpartofGod’sorhischildren'snature- Lovecastsoutfear(falsesystemsarebasedonfearforself)- 4:18– shouldfearnon-selectionbyahateful,vindictiveGod- LoveGodandlovebrother- 4:19-20– utilitarianism

- ThosewhobelievethatJesusistheChristaretheonesthatarebornofGod- 5:1– thosethatthingJesusisnottheanointedoneareamongtheseducers- JesusisthesonofGod(thisisinreverseorderfromv.1)- 5:5–JesusisnotSonofGod- Jesusisanaturalhumanwithawaterbirthandblood- 5:6– Jesuswasonlyaspirit- HeavenlyunityoftheFather,Word,HolyGhost- 5:7– Word/Jesuscouldnotbepartofheavenlyunity- EarthlyunityofSpirit,Water,Blood- 5:8– Spiritcannotbepartofmaterialunity- DeityandHumanityofChrist- 5:7-8– canbeoneortheother;notboth- WitnessofGodisgreaterthanthewitnessofmen- 5:9– whatmenthinkisofgreatestconsequence– concensus- GodgavehisSon- 5:10– GodhasnoSon- GodgaveenterallifeinHisson- 5:11-12– eternallifeisgainedthrougheffortnotapossessionoftheSonofGod- BelieveonthenameoftheSonofGod- 5:13– thereisanalternateprescriptionforeternallife

1John5:5(KJV)5 Whoishethatovercometh theworld,buthethatbelieveththatJesusistheSonofGod?

1John4:5-6(KJV)5 They areoftheworld:thereforespeakthey oftheworld,andtheworldheareth them.6 We areofGod:hethatknoweth Godheareth us;hethatisnotofGodheareth notus.Herebyknowwe thespiritoftruth,andthespiritoferror.“We”:1John1:1-3(KJV)1 Thatwhichwasfromthebeginning,whichwe haveheard,whichwe haveseenwithoureyes,whichwe havelookedupon,andourhandshavehandled,oftheWordoflife;2 (Forthelifewasmanifested,andwe haveseenit,andbearwitness,andshewuntoyouthateternallife,whichwaswiththeFather,andwasmanifesteduntous;)3 Thatwhichwe haveseenandhearddeclarewe untoyou,thatyealsomayhavefellowshipwithus:andtrulyour fellowshipis withtheFather,andwithhisSonJesusChrist.

Johnisestablishingtheauthoritativesourceofinformation.ThatauthoritativesourceistheeyewitnessesthatJohnkeepsreferringtoaswe,us,andour.ThesewitnesseshaveseentherisenJesus,andwereentrustedasthecustodiansofHistruth.

IfapersonclaimstobeaChristian,buttheyfollowsomeauthorityotherthantheBible,thentheyarenotChristian,becausethey’refollowingthewrongauthority,notbecausethereisalackofabilityorabarriertobecomingaChristian.Thispassagein1John4:5-6isthecompanionpassagetoJohn10:26:John10:26(KJV)26 Butyebelievenot,becauseyearenotofmysheep,asIsaiduntoyou.Jesusisn’tsayingthatthesepeoplelacktheabilitytobelievebecausetheyhaven’tbeenchosentobesheep.He’ssayingthattheyclaimtobeinJehovah’sflock,butiftheyreallywere,they’dlistentoJehovah’sMessiahandbelievehim.Thereasonthey

Don’tbelieveJohovah’s MessiahandlistentohimisbecausetheyhavesomeauthorityotherthanJehovah,andtheiridentityclaimisfalse.Theyareseekingtheirownselfrighteousness,followingtheBabylonianTalmud,andinterestedinpreservingtheirpoliticalcapitalintheRomangovernment.Thatistheirauthority.Thatiswhattheyworship,andthatiswhytheydon’tbelieveJesus.It’sbecausetheyaresomebodyelse’ssheep.Theyhaveadifferentauthority.Thereisnostatementherethattheycannotrepent,believeandbecomesheep.Quitetheopposite,infact.Tobringthisinto2018,takeMormon’sforexample.TheyclaimtobeChristians,buttheydon’tbelievethePaulinerevelationinscripture.Thereasonisbecausetheyhaveadifferentauthority.TheyhaveadifferentJesus.ThesestatementsJohnismakingaresituationallydeclarativestatements.Theyarenofatalisticdeterminismstatements.Thesestatementsdeclareacircumstance,notadevine decree.Theyareintendedtoinform,notexclude.

SosomeonethatclaimstobeofGodbutdoesn’tgiveaflipaboutwhatJohnissayingisnotinfactofGod,becauseasanapostle,JohnisoneofGod’schosenspokesmen,andthatishowGod’struthisdispensed.SoforallthosewhoexpressinterestinfollowingthetruthofJesus,Johnistheonlyplacetogetit;theotherapostlesaredeadbynow.SoitisJohnandthewritingsoftheothers,orasJohnsays,“We.”IfyouclaimtobeafollowerofJesusbutyou’regettingyourdoctrinefromGnosticguruNicolasorDiotrephes,thenyouarenot,infact,afollowerofJesus.AndChristiansshouldnotlistentothosewhomindthatexternal,non-authenticsourceofinformationandauthority.

1John2:29(KJV)29 Ifyeknowthatheisrighteous,yeknowthateveryonethatdoethrighteousnessisbornofhim.

Calvinism:Ifyeknowthatheisrighteous,yeknowthateveryonethatdoethrighteousness,asinbelievestheGospel,wasbornofhimpriortobelieving.

CalviniststakeapracticalpassageabouthebehavioroftheChristianandhowitshouldcomparewiththeseducerswhoclaimtobeChristianbutliveahedonisticlifestyle,andtheytwistitintoaGnostic-styleorderofsalvationprooftext.TheyneedapassagethatsayspeoplearebornofGodpriortobelievingtheGospel.Sotheytakethispassage,divorceitfromthecontext,andconvertit.TherighteousnessisconvertedintobelievingtheGospel,andthe“bornofGod”phraseissaidtohaveoccurredaheadoftime.

Ifyouknowthecontextofthebookit’ssadandlaughablethatanyonewouldtrytouse1John2:29inthisfashionatall.Inthisscenario,thereareopposinggroupsbothclaimingtobebornofGod.TheGnosticsandEpicureansarerunningaroundlikethedevil,andtheChristiansaretryingtokeeptheiracttogether.Johnislettingtheseyoung,seducedbelieversknowthattheonesthatareactuallyputtingtheirbehavioralmoneywheretheirmouthisaretheonesthatareactuallybornofGod,andtheotheronesarejustrunningtheirmouths.Thishasnothingwhatsoevertodowiththeorderofhowpeoplegetsaved.Thisisnotanevangelisticpassage.It’sa“separatethesheepfromthegoats”passage.

1John4:1-3(KJV)1 Beloved,believenoteveryspirit,buttrythespiritswhethertheyareofGod:becausemanyfalseprophetsaregoneoutintotheworld.2 HerebyknowyetheSpiritofGod:EveryspiritthatconfesseththatJesusChristiscomeinthefleshisofGod:3 Andeveryspiritthatconfesseth notthatJesusChristiscomeinthefleshisnotofGod:andthisisthatspirit ofantichrist,whereofyehaveheardthatitshouldcome;andevennowalreadyisitintheworld.

Thisisnotablanketstatementthatisintendedtobedivorcedfromthecontextandimposedontoeverysituationthatonemayencounter.Thistextshouldbelocalizedtothecontextofthisspecificsituation,thatis,ofpeoplewhoclaimtobeChristians,thosewhohaveaspiritconfessingtheJesusiscominginthe

FleshisofGod,andthosewhodon’taren’t.That’sasfarasthisshouldbetaken.Letmeshowyouanexample.Rememberthisfromchapter2?1John2:22-23(KJV)22 Whoisaliarbuthethatdenieth thatJesusistheChrist?Heisantichrist,thatdenieth theFatherandtheSon.23 Whosoeverdenieth theSon,thesamehathnottheFather:(but)hethatacknowledgeth theSonhaththeFatheralso.Mark5:5-8(KJV)5 Andalways,nightandday,hewasinthemountains,andinthetombs,crying,andcuttinghimselfwithstones.6 ButwhenhesawJesusafaroff,heranandworshippedhim,7 Andcriedwithaloudvoice,andsaid,WhathaveItodowiththee,Jesus,thou SonofthemosthighGod? IadjuretheebyGod,thatthoutormentmenot.8 Forhesaiduntohim,Comeoutoftheman,thou uncleanspirit.

Eventhedevilsknowwhatthetruthis,andtheycanconfessitwhenputonthespot.Butthepointof1Johnisthatwhenitcomestothisissue,thisisthetruth,andthisisthelie.Whenitcomestothisissue,thosewhosaythisaregoodguys,andthosewhosaytheotheraretheseducersandbadguys.Remember,thatis,inthesituationcontextofthatspecificissueamongpeopleclaimingtobebelievers.Thesearenotblanketstatementsforeverycircumstance,soattentionmustbepaidtothecircumstantialcontextbothinthepassageofscripture,andinthesituationwherethismightbeappliedinpresent-daylife.

Whilewe’redealingwiththiskindofthing.Asimilarthinghappensoverin1Corinthians12whendealingwithCharismatics.WhentheyarewarnedabouttheKundalinispiritandfalsespiritsthattheymightsummon,theyusuallyretortwithsomethinglikethis:1Corinthians12:3(KJV)3 WhereforeIgiveyoutounderstand,thatnomanspeakingbytheSpiritofGodcalleth Jesusaccursed:andthat nomancansaythatJesusistheLord,butbytheHolyGhost.

Now,iftheproperunderstandingofthatversewereinaccordancewithhowtheyareusingit,thentheyhavenowaytoexplainthis:Matthew7:21-23(KJV)21 Noteveryonethatsaith untome,Lord,Lord,shallenterintothekingdomofheaven;buthethatdoeththewillofmyFatherwhichisinheaven.22 Manywillsaytomeinthatday,Lord,Lord,havewenotprophesiedinthyname?andinthynamehavecastoutdevils?andinthynamedonemanywonderfulworks?23 AndthenwillIprofessuntothem,Ineverknewyou:departfromme,yethatworkiniquity.

Matthew7:21-23(KJV)21 Noteveryonethatsaith untome,Lord,Lord,shallenterintothekingdomofheaven;buthethatdoeththewillofmyFatherwhichisinheaven.22 Manywillsaytomeinthatday,Lord,Lord,havewenotprophesiedinthyname?andinthynamehavecastoutdevils?andinthynamedonemanywonderfulworks?23 AndthenwillIprofessuntothem,Ineverknewyou:departfromme,yethatworkiniquity.

1Corinthians12:3(KJV)3 WhereforeIgiveyoutounderstand,thatnomanspeakingbytheSpiritofGodcalleth Jesusaccursed:andthat nomancansaythatJesusistheLord,butbytheHolyGhost.

1John4:7(KJV)7 Beloved,letusloveoneanother:forloveisofGod;andeveryonethatlovethisbornofGod,andknoweth God.

IrecentlysawthisoneusedasaprooftextbyaCalvinist.Ipresumethattheythinkit’ssayingthatyoucannotloveGoduntilyouarebornofGod.Idon’tknowwhattheythinkthisisproving.LovingGodisnottheplanofsalvationanywhereinscripturethatI’veeverseen.LovingGodcomesasaresultofsalvationwhichmustbeprecededbybelief.Theattempttousethisverseasaprooftextcausedmydisappointmentinthepersontoswellevenhigherthanitalreadywas.It’ssuchabadchoiceofaGnosticprooftextthatIcannotimagineitevenneedinganyexplanation.Therearelostpeoplerightnowwhoareloving,kind,selfless,giving,caring,andwhogenuinelyloveothers.SothisisasituationandcontextmismatchforourGnosticfriends.

1John5:1(KJV)1 WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChristisbornofGod:andeveryonethatlovethhimthatbegatlovethhimalsothatisbegottenofhim.Again,thecontextsettlesthisoneinshortorder.AmongthoseclaimingtobefollowersofJesus,thosewhosaythatJesusistheanointedMessiah,theChrist,aretheonesthatarebornofGodonthissideofthecontroversy,andthosewhoclaimheisnottheChristaretheonesthataren’tbornofGod.ThishastodowithdeterminingthespiritoftruthandthespiritoferrorwhenitcomestothisspecificcontroversyofwhetherornotJesusistheChrist,amongthosewhoclaimtobefollowersofJesusofNazareth.SowhenyoucomeintoaroomfullofprofessingChristiansandthisistheissuethatdividesthem,thisguidancefromJohnsimplylaysoutwhothegoodguysandbadguysareinthiscircumstance,forthiscontroversy.

ThisprooftextofCalvinistscangetprettyridiculouswhenyouremoveitfromitscircumstantialandcontroversialcontext.Forexample,therearealotoflostCatholicswalkingaroundrightnowwhobelievethatJesusistheChrist,thatHecameintheflesh,andthatHeistheSonofGod.Butthey’renottrustingChrist.They’retrustingtheirworks,thesacraments,andMary.InthedarkagestheykilledChristiansbythemillionsfornotsubmittingtotheirmagisterium.How’sthatforlovingthebrethren.Yousee,ifyoutakeanyoneoftheseissueandtrytomakeittheend-all,be-allstatementoftruththatcanbeblanketacrosswhateversituationyourbiasdetermines,youbasicallyhavenoBible.Youhavenoauthorityotherthanyourownbiasandpresuppositions.IfyouclaimtobeaChristian,butCalvinismisyourauthority,thenyoudon’thearus,thatisJesusandtheBiblewhenhesaidthathediedforallandthatheisthe

Propitiationforthesinsofthewholeworldbecauseyouhavesomeauthorityotherthanscripture.JustliketheseearlyGnosticshadsomeauthorityotherthanJohnandtheapostlesfromwheretheyobtainedtheirauthoritativeinformation.ModerndayCalvinistshaveneo-gnosticsystemfromwhichtheygettheirauthorityforthematterofsoteriology.TheyhavenoregardforwhatscripturesaysinthecontextinwhichitappearsbecauseGodthroughHisWordisnottheauthorityoftheCalvinist.Somethingelseis.TheTULIPis.Theyarenotofusbecauseiftheywereofus,theywouldhearourwords.TheythereforehearthemnotbecausetheyarenotofGod.IftheywereJesus’sheep,theywouldbelieveJesus.ButtheybelievenotbecausetheyarenotJesus’sheep.Theyaresomeoneelse’ssheep.ButifyouareaCalvinist,youarecordiallyinvitedtorepentandbelievetheGospel,eitherforthefirsttime,ortocomebackhometobasic,sound,biblicaldoctrine.

InSummary,welookedathowCalvinistsseeanduse1John5:1throughtheirCalvinistcoloredglasseswhichaddconceptstopassagesthatsimplyaren’tthereintheiroriginalform.Johngivesveryclearpurposeversesforwhyheiswriting,andamongthosearepassagesaboutseducersandantichrists.WecantellwhatfalsehoodstheywereteachingbyhowJohnanswerstheirdoctrinewithsimpledirectivesaboutthepersonofJesusChristandthebehaviorandloveofthebelieverthatshouldserveasthedoctrinalbaselineoftruthtoprotectagainstanyerrorthatwouldleadpeopleastray.Passagesshouldbeinterpretedinaccordancewiththeirstatedpurposeandinaccordancewiththecontext,history,culture,andoriginalintentfromtheoriginalauthortotheoriginalaudience.Onlythencanweascertainaproperapplicationforbelieversin2018.Weshouldneverforcepassagesofscripturetoalignwithourbiasesandpre-conceivedideasknownaspresuppositions.

AGENDA• HowCalvinistsread1John5:1

• GnosticPresupposition:Regenerationprecedesfaith• 1John2:29and1John4:7

• John’spurposeinwriting• 1John1:4;2:1,8,12,13,21,26,5:13

• Theanti-purposeandprompttoJohn’swriting• Seducers(2:26)• Antichrists(2:18;2:22;4:3;2John1:7)• Hearingonesideofa[phone]conversation

• Establishingabaseline• InterpretingPassagesinaccordancewithstatedpurpose

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