Last Sunday we did a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) on I John 2:15-27 with particular attention to vv. 20-21 and 27. Among other things, the passage is important for the apostle John’s amazing comments about the Holy Spirit. In it we see the need for deep reliance upon, trust in, and submissiveness to, the Holy Spirit as we enter the sometimes-risky work of helping unbelievers to read the Bible for themselves. He will guide His people into the truth and safeguard us from error. It also indicates the importance of not quenching the Spirit (by forbidding means by which He wants to work; cf. I Thess. 5:19) or grieving Him (by persisting in sin and unbelief; cf. Eph. 4:30). John has a particular concern in this letter. A group of people (usually thought to be early Gnostics) had recently left the church after attempting to influence the Christian community with their teaching. The aged apostle therefore wrote to warn his “children” (v. 18) and to assure them of God’s spiritual provision and protection as found in His Word and Spirit. As perhaps the last living witness to Jesus’ life he is careful to strengthen the church in what is truly important, just as His Savior did (John 14-17). John’s essential point is that the Church as the answers to all of its pressing needs in the truth it received about Jesus “from the beginning” (v. 24; cf. Mark 1:14-15) of the apostolic ministry. The Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus (John 16:7f.) enables believers to understand and obey the apostles’ testimony. Those who had just abandoned the Christian community (vv. 19, 22-23, 26) did so after their denial of the Spirit’s witness to Jesus was exposed. They had not “been anointed by the Holy One” (v. 20) but instead had been seduced by the spirit of “antichrist” (v. 24; cf. also vv. 15-17). Their departure revealed that they were never part of God’s true people (v. 19). The Holy Spirit teaches us “about everything” (NIV, “all things”) which pertains to “the Father and the Son.” He affirms “the truth” that “Jesus is the Christ;” that is, the promised Messiah, or “anointed one” of Israel (cf. 2:1-2). This “everything” enables us to understand “everything,” that is, the world and our place in it. This anointing with the Holy Spirit by “the Holy One” (that is, Jesus; cf. Mark 1:24) is “true” (NIV, “real”), in distinction from any secretive ceremony of some pseudo-spiritual elite. While supernatural, it occurs in time and space whenever someone receives the promise of “eternal life” (vv. 24-25; cf. John 17:3). Theologically speaking this text is heavily Trinitarian. The Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son (John 14:16, 26; 15:26) teaches about Christ (John 16:13-14), the One who was sent by the Father and who was proclaimed by the apostles. Having this teaching and this Spirit, John can assure his friends that they do not need anyone to teach them a “newer and truer” gospel. Following our SPECK paradigm we found these applications: Sin to Avoid: departing from the truth about Jesus we have received by virtue of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. Praise to Give: Gratitude to God for keeping each of us on the path of true knowledge leading to obedience. Thanksgiving that we have not been duped by the spirit of antichrist, and for the Holy Spirit’s anointing which makes all this possible. Prayer to Pray: that the Holy Spirit would keep me abiding in the truth, and that I would not be led astray. Promise to Claim: that we have eternal life here and now, understood as the true knowledge of the triune God in relationship with Him. Example to Follow (or avoid): In this case, the negative example of those who tried to lead John’s children astray, and who had left the church. Command to Obey: Verse 24, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.” That is, continue to believe and obey the message of the apostolic gospel. Knowledge to Share: With believers, the confidence that the anointing we have received is sufficient to guide us into the truth and to protect us from error; and that the certain evidence of having this anointing is obedience. With unbelievers, the exclusive claims of Christ concerning who truly knows God and who truly has God living within them. We also arrived at some “I will” statements. I will… 1) Commit myself to deeper confidence in, and submissiveness to, the Spirit as the teacher of the Word. 2) Ask daily that God would remind me of the divine Teacher within me. 3) Commit myself to deeper fellowship with the Lord, both personally and among His people. 4) Ask God for guidance regarding the specific things I should do in obedience to Him. 5) Pray for those who have “left us” (v. 19), i.e., who have forsaken the faith or are in imminent danger of doing so. This Sunday we will return to more formal teaching with a look at Matt. 21:18-22. Our lives as disciples must be characterized by what Ed Gross has referred to as “pervasive prayer.” This text must be properly understood if we are to pray rightly. Feel free to join us – the Spirit has been pleased to keep showing up to teach us about Jesus! We start at 10am.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 23:55:48 +0000
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