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The Christian Community In John’s Writings

Wayne Galloway
09/06/20 - Sunday Evening Worship

The Christian Community In John’s Writings

 

Introduction:

 

1.  This study continues our study about the church.  Up to this point we have focused our attention on the church in the synoptic gospels.

2.  In this lesson consideration will be given to the Gospel of John and the Epistles of 1, 2, 3 John.

3.  In future studies we will focus on the church as revealed in Acts, the writings of Paul, Hebrews, James, 1, 2 Peter, and Revelation.

4.  What does the Gospel of John and John’s epistles communicate about the church?

 

Discussion:

 

I.  The word “ekklesia” does not occur in the Gospel of John.  It does occur in 3 Jn. 1:6, 9, 10.  We will give attention to this text later.  The church is not a foreign concept to John, but like the synoptics the kingdom is predominate.

 

     A.  The concept is first introduced in John 1:49 in the calling of the apostles.  Nathanael

           confesses Jesus saying, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of

           Israel.”

           1.  This is a very powerful statement.  It is equivalent to Peter’s confession in Matt.

                16:16.

           2.  In our study in the synoptics we made confession of Jesus as the Son of God as

                equivalent to confessing Him as King.  Here in this text it is made explicit. 

                Nathanael associates “Son of God,” with “King of Israel.”

           3.  Confession of Jesus as the Son of God is the same as confessing Him as King of

                Israel and carries with it the implication of submission to Him, i.e., making Him

                the King in one’s own life.

           4.  Both Nathanael and John, by his recording of this confession, agree in this.

     B.  In John 3:3, 5 John records Jesus telling Nicodemas that one must be born again in

          order to see or enter the kingdom of God.  (Note that the kingdom of God and the

          kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:19) are equivalent.)

          1.  This is an important passage because it requires spiritual regeneration (a new

               birth) as a condition of entry into the kingdom.  This is certainly consistent with

               what John the Baptist was preaching as he called for “repentance” and “bringing

               forth fruits” in preparation for the coming of the King.

          2.  Jn. 3 identifies a birth of water and the spirit as a prerequisite to entrance into the

               kingdom. 

               a.  Some say this is not a reference to water baptism.  However, water baptism

                    certainly seems to fit with the preaching and baptizing of John as he preaches

                    baptism and repentance in anticipation of the coming King.  It also fits with the

                    instruction of the great commission and with the fact that those in the Book of

                    Acts were told to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins in

                    execution of the great commission AND the fact that all those cases of

                    conversion exemplified in Acts involve baptism provides evidence that cannot

                    be overlooked.   The evidence associates water baptism with the time of

                    spiritual regeneration and a new birth.

               b.  This does not mean, however, that it is the act of getting wet that gives the

                     new life.  Col. 2:12-13; Titus 3:5 indicate that it is God (the Spirit) who raises

                     the dead from the grave of baptism.

        C.  John 12:12ff presents Jesus as the King of Israel.

              1.  John identifies Him as the fulfillment of Kingdom prophesies (v. 13, Psa.

                   118:26, v. 15, Zech. 9:9-10).

              2.  Jn. 12:32 refers to Jesus being lifted up and drawing all men to himself.

                   a.  This implies the emergence of a community as a result of His being lifted up

                        and men being drawn to Him.

                   b.  It connects the King’s death to the establishment of the community.

         D.  Other passages are also suggestive of the establishment of community.

               1.  John 11:51-52 refers to Jesus’ death as gathering Jews and Gentiles “together

                    into one the children of God.”  This implies a community.

               2.  The oneness of John 17:22 also supports the idea of a prospective community.

               3.  The shepherd imagery of John 10:16 and the references to “this fold” (Jews)

                     and “other sheep” (Gentiles) together constitute one flock, or one community.

               4.  The vine imagery also suggests community (Jn. 15:1-11).

               5.  And eating His flesh and drinking His blood in the Lord’s Super (Jn. 6:54-58)

                    identifies a community that not only memorializes Him in the Supper, but

                    participates in the life giving power of His flesh and blood as the critical action

                    of the community.

          E.  So, while the word “church” is not used in the Gospel of John the idea of a

               community is clearly evident.

 

II.  A survey of the Epistles of 1, 2, 3 John and the church.

 

     A.  There is no reference to the nature or government of the church in 1 John.

           1.  Paul refers to Christ as head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23).  He also refers to

                apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers (Eph. 4:11).

           2.  In Philippians Paul addresses overseers and deacons in his salutation (1:1).

           3.  1 John makes no such references. 

           4.  However, 1 John uses pronouns like “we” and “us” and speaks of our fellowship

                with one another (1 Jn. 1:6-7).  This definitely implies a community.

           5.  In 1 Jn. 2:19 he references those who have gone out from us.  This must mean

                that there was some kind of community from which these individuals had

                withdrawn.

      B.  2 John is addressed to “the chosen lady.” 

           1.  If this is a congregation, the epistle provides information regarding the approach

                a church is to take toward deceivers.

           2.  If the chosen lady is an individual, she and her household are not to accept those

                   who do not abide in the teaching of Christ.

              3.  In both 1 and 2 John maintaining purity of teaching is important.  As seen

                   through the window of the Kingdom, the instruction of the King is to be

                   followed without deviation.

        C.  3 John specifically mentions the church.

              1.  Verse 6 mentions those who bear witness to the love of others before the

                   church.

              2.  Verse 10 identifies Diotrephes as one who puts brethren “out of the church.”

              3.  Obviously there is a community from which brethren can be cast out.

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  What do the Gospel of John and the Epistles contribute to our understanding of the church?

2.  They dovetail well with the teaching of the Synoptics.

     a.  Jesus is the recognized King.  Recognizing Him as the Son of God is the same as

          recognizing Him as the promised King.

     b.  There is definitely a community inherent in John’s thinking.

     c.  This community consists of those who recognize Jesus as King and have been born

          again by water and the spirit into this Kingdom.

     d.  There is an inclusive fellowship (both Jews and Gentiles) that are cleansed from sin

          by the blood of Jesus God’s Son.

     e.  Those in this fellowship know Him and keep His commandments.  It is necessary to

          abide in the teaching, support truth teachers and not aid those who do not abide in

          the teaching of Christ.

     f.  Love is the abiding principle.

3.  For John, recognizing Jesus as the King, and being born into the kingdom is critical, then continuing to walk in the commandments.