Lesson 23: 1 John 5:9-13
1 John 5:9-10
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is
greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He
that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth
not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave
of his Son.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 17:1-7
Mark 1:9-11
Luke 20:9-18 (This is a parable that Jesus told.)
John 3:31-36
John 12:23-32 (Unlike the passages in Matthew and Mark, the voice from Heaven
didn’t call Jesus God’s Son here. However, the response of the people to this
voice, reminds us of those who don’t believe in 1 John 5:10.)
Romans 3:3-4
Romans 8:16
Hebrews 1:1-14
Questions
1. Most of us became Christians because another person told us about salvation through Jesus Christ. They were convincing, but there is One Whose testimony is even more convincing. According to 1 John 5:9, Who is that One?
2. a) Where is the witness said to be in the person who believes in Jesus? b) Considering Romans 8:16, where does this inner witness come from?
3. What are we saying about God if we don’t believe what He says?
4. What does the act of rejecting Jesus Christ say about God?
1 John 5:11-12
And this is the record, that God hath given to
us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life;
and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Related
Scriptures
John 3:13-18 (Jesus is speaking.)
John 3:36
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:6-11
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9-10
Ephesians 2:1 (The word quickened means made alive.)
Revelation 20:12-15
Background Information
The word saved in Romans 10:9-10 means to have one’s sins
forgiven and to be given eternal life. In the Scriptures we are studying,
eternal and everlasting mean the same thing.
Questions
1. In 1 John 5:9-10, we saw how important it is to believe what God says about Jesus Christ. Now, in verses 11-12, we see just what He does say about Jesus. What is this “record” (what God says about Jesus Christ)?
2. Through whom has God given us eternal life?
3. Who do we have to have in our lives if we are to have eternal life?
4. What does the Bible say about the person who hasn’t received eternal life through Jesus?
5. 1 John 5: 9 says: ”God hath given to us eternal life”. If such is the case, then a) where does our eternal life come from? b) Is it a gift or something we earn for ourselves?
6. What is the condition that causes people to be spiritually dead? (Hint: it’s what Ephesians 2:1 says we were dead in.)
7. a) Who gives us eternal life? b) Through Whom does He do it? According to the verses in this lesson, what do we have to do to receive eternal life from God through Jesus Christ?
8. According to Revelation 20:12-15, what is the end result of being spiritually dead?
9. Based on the Scriptures, we’ve just looked at, are you dead or alive spiritually?
10. If you are dead, spiritually, what do you need to do to get everlasting life?
11. Why don’t you do it?
1 John 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.
Related
Scriptures
Mark 1:1
John 9:35-38 (This is part of a larger account in which Jesus heals a blind man
who gets in trouble with the authorities for refusing to speak evil of the One
Who healed him.)
John 20:30-31
Romans 10:13
Corinthians 5:1 (The “house of this tabernacle” is referring to each believer’s
earthly body. Note the word “know”.)
Questions
1. According to Mark 1:1 and John 9:35-38, what is the name of the Son of God?
2. Believing on Jesus’ name is a bit different than merely believing in the existence of Jesus. Read Romans 10:13. What is the difference?
3. According to 2 Corinthians 5:1, we can know that we have a home in Heaven. Here in 1 John 5:13, we see these words: “that ye may know that ye have eternal life”. a) According to these verses, is it possible to know that we have eternal life and will go to Heaven? b) What is the condition for knowing? c) Does knowing leave room for merely hoping?
4. What words at the end of 1 John 5:13 suggest that God thought it well to strengthen the faith of those who already believed in Jesus?
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