Live in the Light Lesson 1 | Adult Bible Class

Gnosticism -- Special Knowledge (Enlightenment) • “gnosis” (Greek) — where we get our English word “knowledge” • A blend of Judaism, Eastern religions, Plato’s philosophy, and Christianity • Fundamental belief was that the physical world was evil and the spiritual world was good 4 Central Themes of 1John 1. Identity of Jesus 2. Reality of sin 3. God’s provision for forgiveness 4. Teaching on maintaining fellowship with God and others Three distinguishing marks of a Christian in 1John 1. Theological mark — Belief that Jesus was truly the son of God in the flesh 2. The moral mark — Consistent obedience to the commandments of God 3. The social mark — Love for one another in the family of God 4 Purpose Statements in 1John 1. To make our joy complete (1:4) 2. To warn us about habitual sin (2:1) 3. To refute false teachers (2:26) 4. To assure us of our salvation (5:13)