unequivocally John declares this truth about Christ John’s rst letter also may have been addressed in part to two other false views: (1) that of the Ebionites, who denied the deity of Christ; and (2) that of the Cerinthians, who denied the eternal union of the divine and human natures of Christ Four times in the epistle, John speci cally tells why he is writing this epistle Read these verses and record John’s purposes: 1:4; 2:1, 26; 5:13 E FORM AND STYLE Form The rst epistle of John has a unique combination of form and style qualities It is classi ed as an epistle, even though it does not have the usual opening salutation, personal conclusion, references to proper names (except that of Jesus), or speci c references to details of the lives of either the readers or the writer Its many personal references to writing (e.g., “My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin,” 2:1a) are enough justi cation for considering the book as an epistle On the basis of its contents one may say that the book is a personal letter of an aged Christian leader to congregations of mature Christians with whom the writer was acquainted More will be said about the form, or structure, of the epistle in the Survey section of this chapter Style In Hebraistic style, John writes short, simple, straightforward, picturesque sentences The extended opening sentence (1:1-3) is the one exception to the short pattern Parallelisms and contrasts abound in the book Concerning the latter, one writer comments, “His colours are black and white; there is no grey.”6 John speaks with a tone of authority and nality based on experience (“we have seen,” 1:1) And yet there is a paternal tenderness about the epistle that makes the reader want to pause and meditate over the great truths being declared Concerning this combination of tenderness and authority, Merrill Tenney writes, “The mellowness of the teaching … is not to be confused with vagueness of belief or with theological indecision.”76 F W Farrar has written this very accurate appraisal of the epistle’s style: “It is a style absolutely unique, supremely original, and full of charm and sweetness Under the semblance of extreme simplicity, it hides unfathomable depths It is to a great extent intelligible to the youngest child, to the humblest Christian; yet to enter into its full meaning exceeds the power of the deepest theologian.”8 IV SURVEY OF JOHN A A FIRST READING Prepare mind and heart to search diligently for all the grand truths that God would have you learn in this study Humbly ask God to reveal Himself to you in a fresh, vivid way as you examine the Bible text Maintain an attitude of dependency on the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment throughout your survey study of this epistle Mark new paragraph divisions in your Bible beginning at these verses: 1:1, 5, 2:1, 3, 7, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 ... (except that of Jesus), or speci c references to details of the lives of either the readers or the writer Its many personal references to writing (e.g., “My little children, I am writing these things... great extent intelligible to the youngest child, to the humblest Christian; yet to enter into its full meaning exceeds the power of the deepest theologian.”8 IV SURVEY OF JOHN A A FIRST READING... said about the form, or structure, of the epistle in the Survey section of this chapter Style In Hebraistic style, John writes short, simple, straightforward, picturesque sentences The extended