Men Bible Study - 1 John 2:27

1 John 2:27, “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” CONTEXT Yesterday’s passage sets up what John is saying in verse 27. It might be helpful to read them again. As has been covered in earlier parts of this study, John is writing against “those trying to deceive you” (2:26), or Gnostic teachers. The Gnostics insisted that the teachings of the Apostles “what you heard from the beginning” (2:25), needed to be supplemented with some “higher” or “secret” knowledge that only they claimed to possess. The anointing you received – the holy spirit The word for anointing in 1 John is charisma, and is only used three times in the New Testament, all here in 1 John. Outside of the Bible, the word was used for the special anointing oil which was used in the ceremony to initiate new Priests into the Priesthood. In this passage it refers to when we are initiated into the Kingdom of God by accepted Christ, and were “anointed” with the Holy Spirit. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:13-14 Abide/remain As we discussed yesterday, this means to dwell in, take up residence for the long term. It is interesting to note, John uses this word in verses 24-27 four times. If the what you heard from the beginning (the Gospel) abides in you You will abide in the Son and the Father The anointing (Holy Spirit) abides in you Just as it (the Gospel) has taught you — abide in Him (Christ) It is amazing that in these passages, John talks about the Son, the Father and the Holy Spirit. He talks about how the Scriptures are the way we tie things together, and that abiding appropriately is the key. No need for teaching? This seems like a strange statement, especially in the light of what other parts of Scripture tells us about the need for teachers and sound teaching (Mt 28:20; 1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11; Col 3:16; 1Ti 4:11; 2Ti 2:2, 24). Verses like this are a prime reason why we should understand the Word of God as a whole, and not pick a few verses out of context. Now for how we should view this verse in context. For those whom John was writing to, they already had been taught the gospel, and the teachings of the Apostles and eyewitnesses “what you heard from the beginning” and it “abides” in them. For us today, we have the teachings of the Apostles and eyewitnesses — The New Testament. We are told that it is impossible to understand God’s Word without the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells His disciples in John 14:26 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Also, Paul gives us a broader explanation of the role of the Holy Spirit in understanding spiritual things in 1 Cor 2:10-16. I love this statement from DL Moody (a prominent American evangelist in the 1800s). “The Bible without the Holy Spirit is a sun-dial by moonlight” So John is not ruling out human teachers. Since John is writing to believers, he is telling them to rely on what they have already been taught (what you have heard from the beginning) under the Spirit’s ministry through the apostles. We don’t need new revelations or secret knowledge. APPLICATION I have often heard the acronym WWJD (what would Jesus do). While I understand the sentiment, too often, many people have very little understanding about what Jesus did, making it hard to really figure out what He would do. Often it is what would the image of Jesus you have in your mind do, rather than base it on what Jesus did or taught. Unfortunately, I have seen people use WWJD as justification for abuse or make ridiculous statements such as “Jesus would vote for …” you fill in the blank. Two or three years ago, I felt God calling me to “major” in Jesus. So I began studying deep in the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus, and I am far from done. And honestly, my perspective on many things have changed. I would challenge you to find some time over the next few days, and focus solely on Jesus. If possible read through an entire Gospel (Mark is the shortest) or all 4 if your ambitious. You could read Mark in the time I takes to watch a movie. Then mediate on what you learned. What did he do, what did he say, how did people respond to him. Try, if it were possible, to understand Jesus’ motivations, his thinking and his methods. Then — we just might be in a better place to answer the question WWJD.