OUTLINE OF FIRST JOHN

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

1Jo 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Part One: The Basis of Fellowship (1:1-2:27)

I. Introduction........................................... 1:1-4         

1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

II. The Conditions for Fellowship......... 1:5-2:14 

A.  Walk in the Light............................. 1:5-7         

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

B.  Confession of Sin......................... 1:8-2:2        

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

C. Obedience to His Commandments..... 2:3-6

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

D. Love for One Another......................2:7-14

1Jn 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

III. The Cautions to Fellowship                  2:15-27 

A.  Love of the World........................ 2:15-17

1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

B.  Spirit of the Antichrist.................. 2:18-27

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.

Part Two: The Behaviour of Fellowship (2:28-5:21)

I. Characteristics of Fellowship............ 2:28-5:3    

A.  Purity of Life............................. 2:28-3:3       

1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

B.   Practice of Righteousness................ 3:4-12        

1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

C.  Love in Deed and Truth................ 3:13-24        

1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

D.  Testing the Spirits............................ 4:1-6         

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

E.  Love as Christ Loved................... 4:7-5:3

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

II. Consequences of Fellowship................. 5:4-21

A.  Victory over the World.................... 5:4, 5

1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

B.   Assurance of Salvation..................... 5:6-13

1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

C.   Guidance in Prayer......................... 5:14-17

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

D.  Freedom from Habitual Sin............. 5:18-21

1Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.