A True Christian

OCTOBER 7, 2020 STUDY NOTES I JOHN 2:19-25 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON A TRUE CHRISTIAN INTRODUCTION Does it make any difference what you believe as long-as you are sincere? Many believe that after it is all over, we are all going to go to the same place anyway They teach that your God can be whoever and whatever you want him to be They will tell you that the Bible was written by man and is a good book to read Some people read the Bible to “know,” and they know what they want the Bible to say But you must read the Bible for “life,” seeking a “life” to live today according to the Bible There is a difference between “Knowing” the Bible and “Living” the Bible One of the greatest chapters in all-of the Bible is John chapter 3 The last verse of that chapter tells us the difference between the saved and lost From the Bible you learn the truth of “eternal life,” everlasting life is believing in Jesus, Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The difference between eternal life and eternal death is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ John shows us that Christians must learn the truth of “Abiding,” abiding is obedience to God “Abiding” is living in daily fellowship with God, those who are lost cannot “Abide in Christ” NON-CHRISTIANS---1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. “They” is found seven times in this verse, “Us” is found five times in this verse There is a strong distinction between “They” and “us” “They” are the false teachers who are of the spirit of antichrist (verse 18) “They” had joined themselves with the true Christians and they were meeting with them “They” may have even been baptized and probably were observing the Lord’s Supper “They” had all-of the outward evidence of being a faithful church member But John makes a strong statement, “they were not of us,” they never were part of us Physically they separated because there was nothing spiritually that united them There is a description of those who do not know God in, Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. “Reprobate” means disapproved, rejected The real truth of the Christian life is within the daily life of a Christian The evidence of the Christian life is the outward life lived as-a result of the inward life The truth that is within a person will eventually come out of the person All who are members of the local church are not a member of the True Church All members of the True Church should be faithful members of a local church If they had been a part of the True Church, they would have stayed with the local church The evidence that “they were not of us” was “they went out from us” John makes a strong point, they never were “of us,” or they would “have continued with us” They could be counted as a part of the number, but they had no part spiritually “Continued” is the word often translated “abide” and is found 11 times in this chapter Here it is used to show that false teachers do not abide in the fellowship of believers but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 1|Page Their departure from the true believers made it very clear that they were not saved A false profession of faith or a counterfeit Christian life cannot remain hidden forever It will eventually “Manifest” itself, the truth will come forth, Luk 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. John wants to make a strong point, “they never were part of us” During the Church Age there will be tares among the wheat, Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (the rapture) What is the difference between the tares and the wheat? The tares are those who are lost, and the wheat refers to those who are a true child of God It is important to know that we are a true child of God, 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (Meaning disapproved, rejected) Unless Christ is in you, you are a false believer and without approval before God That which identified them as a false follower of Christ was their denial of Christ You cannot deny the fundamentals of the faith concerning Jesus and be a true Christian The fundamentals of the faith relate to the virgin birth of Jesus, the humanity, and Deity of Jesus You cannot deny that Jesus is the Christ or deny the sinless life of Jesus upon the earth You cannot deny the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross or His bodily resurrection You cannot deny the present Priesthood ministry of Christ or the second coming of Jesus Any denial of Jesus Christ is of the antichrist movement and not of true Christian faith Sometimes it is difficult to identify those who are true Christians because of the way they live Some non-Christians act more like Christians than some true Christians do And too many true Christians too often act like non-Christians Because of sin in the daily life Christians lose fellowship with God and other Christians (1 Jn 1:6) Jesus taught that no true child of God will be lost, Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. TRUE CHRISTIANS 1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. It literally says, “you have an anointing,” but what is an anointing? In the O.T. the practice of anointing was-connected with three kinds of people Priests, kings, and prophets were anointed with oil to mark the beginning of their duties The oil was a symbol of consecration Anointing identified that they had been chosen by God to fulfill tasks that He gave them Priests were anointed, Exo 40:13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. Kings were anointed, Samuel anointed Saul as king of the nation, 1Sa 9:16 Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. Later Samuel anointed David as king, 1Sa 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. David was anointed with oil, 1Sa 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. The oil was a symbol of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit upon David JESUS IS THE ANOINTED ONE 2|Page It is the ministry of the Messiah and not that of Isaiah found in, Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Jesus applied this scripture to Himself in Luke 4:16-21) The word “Christ” or “Messiah” means “anointed one” The meaning of the Hebrew word “Messiah” is “The Anointed One” The meaning of the Greek word “Christ” is “The Anointed One” Therefore, the promised Messiah is Jesus, He is “The Anointed One,” Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. The Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus was the setting apart for His Messianic work, Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Peter proclaims that God the Father anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, Paul preached from the O.T., Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, His message was that Jesus is the Christ or the Anointed One, Act 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (The Anointed One) N.T. ANOINTING OF CHRISTIANS John said, “You have an anointing,” “But ye” is strongly stressed in the original (1 John 2:20) The contrast is between the spirit of antichrist and the Spirit of the true Christian Two statements identify the true Christian: (1) They have been anointed by the Holy One (2) They know the truth related to Jesus Christ O.T. Anointing was the privilege of those chosen by God for a special service unto God Under the New Covenant every Christian is a privileged person in the sight of God Every Christian has a special purpose for God “Anointing” in the N.T. means to consecrate or set apart for a sacred work without the use of oil Literally to say, “you have an anointing” is to say, “you are now In-Christ” The N.T. teaches that Christians “In-Christ” should be “as Christ is,” Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. We are to be as “He is” in this world, 1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. The “anointing” identifies our purpose and privilege as the people of God The “anointing” results in the power to perform the duties of God Our anointing is from the Holy One, The anointing is the Person of the Holy Spirit who is sent from God The anointing of the N.T. Christian is the presence of the Holy Spirit within them Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit when He returned to the Father, Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: The Spirit came to take up permanent residence in every believer at the time of salvation Every believer has the presence of the Holy Spirit abiding in them, Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 3|Page Without the Holy Spirit you are “none of His,” Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. God has anointed us, He has set his seal of ownership on us, 2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; God put His Spirit in our hearts, 2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. One purpose of the Spirit within our heart is to teach us all things related to Christ John said, and ye know all things. This is not saying that believers possess all knowledge of all things The meaning is that “You all know,” all believers possess the knowledge of spiritual truth It is explained in the next verse as knowing the truth about Jesus Christ All who are born again know and believe the truth of Jesus or else you cannot be saved You possess spiritual knowledge you have the spiritual knowledge concerning Jesus Christ All of you who possess the Holy Spirit possess knowledge of the spiritual life, 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. God confirms the truth of Christ within the heart of the believer through the Holy Spirit It is the Holy Spirit who enables a lost person to believe in Christ It is the Holy Spirit who establishes a believer in the faith of salvation The Spirit teaches us what Jesus taught, Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The Spirit guides us into all truth, Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Christians are the ones who know of the truths of God THE ONE WHO KNOWS 1Jn 2:21 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. There are two main points in this verse: 1. Christians know the truth 2. No lie is of the truth The point is that Christians will be able to identify the lie because they know the truth John’s purpose of writing is not new truth, but to confirm what truth is already known He is referring to what he has just said, “you all know” They did not lack the knowledge of spiritual truth but because ye know it, You all know by experience having been born spiritually and receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit You have the proper perception or understanding about Christ because of the Spirit of God, 1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. You know that Jesus is the Christ, you have been given the ability to know God’s truth The result of the indwelling Spirit is the ministry of illumination from the Holy Spirit, 1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. There is a great need in our world today for Christians to live what they already know Too many Christians are saying they want to know more about the Bible Yet they are not living what they have already learned about life in Christ and that no lie is of the truth. Here John speaks of “truth” as the right doctrine to believe and accept Truth is not only the opposite of the false, truth is absolute truth which has always been true 4|Page Truth is not something that was true at one time but is no longer true If it was truth yesterday it is also truth today and will be truth tomorrow and forever Too often Bible teachers encourage the study of false religions and false doctrines Christians need only study the “truth,” it is “truth” that reveals the false The “Truth” of God’s Word will tell you when something you hear or see is a lie No lie comes from the truth, the attack upon the lies of Satan is the “Truth” of God’s Word The great need of today is “Bible Students,” Christians who know their Bible will know the truth THE ONE WHO LIES 1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. John now shows us the lie that he had in mind in verse 21 Literally, “Who is the liar,” his answer is that all “False teachers” are liars Antichrist is the liar above all other liars and speaks the lie above all other lies but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? There is no greater lie to the ears of mankind There is no lie of greater damage to the life and well-being of mankind This verse defines the Antichrist as the one who lies about Jesus Christ He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. This is the lie of the present-day spirit of antichrist and the lie of the final Antichrist The Antichrist will deny the Father and the Son Many today say that they believe in God, but they do not accept the Person of Jesus You cannot accept God and deny Jesus, to deny Jesus as the Christ is to deny God as the Father If you do not accept Jesus as the Son of God, you have no relationship with God the Father You cannot have God as your Father apart from accepting Jesus as the Son of God If you reject Jesus you have rejected God, Jesus reveals the Father, Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? You cannot deny Jesus and accept the Father DENIAL OF GOD 1Jn 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. If you deny that Christ is the Son of God, you also deny God to be the Father of Christ In-order to be a child of God you must confess Jesus, Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Deny Jesus and Jesus will deny you before the Father, Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. The only way to God the Father is through His Son Jesus Christ The final words of this verse are written in italics meaning that they were not in the original They are also found in other versions indicating they are genuine and filled with truth THE WORD OF GOD 1Jn 2:24 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. “Let that” is a reference to the truth, the truth should be in you as a believer The original word translated “abide” is found 3 times in this verse It is translated “abide,” “shall remain” and “shall continue” 5|Page The truth of Jesus Christ must be at home in our life, constantly abiding in us As Christians, we must remain true to the truth, at all-times The message we heard from the beginning should “abide” in us at all times This is the same “beginning” that John presented in the beginning of this letter It is the “Word of Life” which is Jesus and the Gospel message of Jesus That is the evidence of a true salvation experience Salvation is life with the Father through the Son, that is a promise according to the next verse A FULFILLED PROMISE 1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. “The promise” that remains and that is an eternal promise The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is the present promise of the future promise, Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, “Eternal life” begins at the time of our salvation and never ends The emphasis of “eternal life” is not just upon an endless life but upon a quality of life There is nothing better in this life for us than what is ours “In-Christ” Our daily life should be a living proof of that truth Christians living a daily life for Christ is the best attack against the spirit of antichrist The best witness against the lie of antichrist is the living proof of “eternal life” You don’t have to argue against error, let your life of truth in Christ reveal the truth of Christ The Holy Spirit in control of the daily life of the believer is the best of life upon this earth John is telling us to be a true Christian everywhere we go every day Our world today needs to see the truth of Christianity The truth of Christianity will reveal the truth of Satan and sin Listen to the song 6|Page