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This lesson concludes our study of 1 John, as we read and study 1 John Chapter 5. Our areas of focus for this portion of the study are (1) how we know that we are saved, and (2) the Doctrine of the Trinity. May God bless you as we consider our salvation and the difficult, but fundamental, doctrine of Christian faith known as the Trinity.

Please read all of 1 John Chapter 5, and then consider your answers to the following questions:

1. How are we saved? (see 1 John 5:1 and Ephesians 2:8)
   1. ANSWER: We must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the true Messiah, and that he came from God to save us. When we believe God, through is infinite mercy and grace, saves us. Nothing other than believing in Jesus is required. You can’t earn your salvation; it’s a gift from God.
2. Who saves us? (see John 3:16)
   1. ANSWER: God, through his one and only Son Jesus.
3. Who can be saved? (see Romans 10:13)
   1. ANSWER: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
4. Is believing that God exists enough to save a lost person? (Read Job 1:1-12 and Luke 4:1-13 and understand who is talking with God and Christ in each of them.)
   1. ANSWER: No, simply believing that God, or a supreme being, exists will not save anyone. As we can see from the book of Job, for example, Satan clearly believes that God exists. Furthermore, from Luke 4:1-13, we observe that Satan not only believes that God exists, but he also knows that Jesus is the true "Son of God." Salvation is about admitting that you fall short, i.e., that you have sinned, and that Jesus is the only way to be forgiven for you sins—and, as a result, saved. If we are unwilling to surrender our lives and our souls to Jesus, then we are not saved. Simply believing and acknowledging that God, Jesus, heaven, hell, Satan, etc., all exist will never save anyone.
5. Are Jesus and God one? (see John 10:30,38 and Matthew 1:21-23)
   1. ANSWER: Yes. This is an absolute! We must know and believe that Jesus and God are one and that there is no one else who can save us. See also Isaiah 45:5, 45:18, 45:22, and 46:9.
6. Are Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit one being? (see 1 John 5:7)
   1. ANSWER: Yes; read 1 John 5:1-12, then see additional questions below.
7. What does John assert in 1 John 5:1 that we are to believe? Is it to "believe in Jesus?" Is it to "believe in God?" Or is it that we should believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah— the Christ?
   1. ANSWER: We are to believe that Jesus is the true Messiah and came from God.
8. How can we know that Jesus is the promised "Messiah" (a Hebrew term) and that he is the "Christ" (a Greek term)? (see 1 John 5:6-9 and Matthew 3:16-17)
   1. ANSWER: We can know this because God’s Holy Spirit testifies to this truth. This was evidenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Matthew 3:16-17.
9. In 1 John 5:6-9, John says that three "bear record in heaven that Christ is the Messiah." List who they are, and then list what they bear witness to in earth.
   1. ANSWER: The "three" are the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All three testify that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
10. Why did John write Chapter 5? (see 1 John 5:13-14)
    1. ANSWER 1: He documented these things for us, "so that you may know that you have eternal life." (emphasis mine)
    2. ANSWER 2: He wrote this as well to give us the confidence that, even as sinners, we can approach God to ask forgiveness for "anything according to his will." and we can be confident that, "He hears us." Even in our fallen state, God loves us and has given us the great gift of eternal life, reconciling us to Him so that we may boldly approach His throne of grace. This was the purpose of John writing chapter 5. (See also Hebrews 4:15-16.)

Bonus Question:

11. The Doctrine of the Trinity teaches us that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) are all of the same being, i.e., "God is one." It is not just God simply describing himself in three ways—in the way that a man, for example, can be a father, brother, and husband, and still be one. We can say from our studies that God is our Father and Creator, and that creation was accomplished by and through Jesus who came to earth to pay the price of death for our sin. Furthermore, we can say that, upon Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, God sent His Holy Spirit to be a comforter, a teacher, and a guardian over us until Christ comes again. Therefore, if we believe that all three are one in God, then we can conclude that God created us knowing how we would turn out. And he elected to pay the price of death and blood for our salvation himself. He is now with us who believe, indwelling in us until the day of the rapture when we all will be called to meet Him in the air. It is a mystery revealed to us through God’s Holy Word. As such, the Bible defines the Trinity as one divine essence with three eternal distinctions known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. An example of this can be seen in John’s Gospel, Chapter 1, verses 1-5.
    
    After considering this difficult doctrine, can you find an example in creation (i.e., in man or his surroundings) that might be analogous to the Trinity and/or how it functions?
    1. ANSWER 1: Man for example is made up of body, soul and spirit. Each are distinctly separate but form a single whole.
    2. ANSWER 2: I have read that the physical sun is also a good example, since it is made up of light rays (that you can see), heat rays (that you cannot see but can feel), and chemical rays (which also cannot be seen). All three form a single sun.
    3. ANSWER 3: Water is often used as example. It has three phases—gas, liquid, and solid.

Romans 1:20 tell us, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." So, while our finite mind cannot completely comprehend the concept of a triune being, God tells us that if we study creation, we can see discern God’s power and nature "from what has been made."

In this lesson, John encourages to approach God in boldness, knowing we are His saved children. His love for us is greater than our understanding. May we always be aware of this love and His great presence in our lives.

Have a great week everyone!

In Christ,

Wes

[2021]

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