Believing, Knowing, Believing

I John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe n 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.


The purpose of this book:

  1. I John 5:13 – John wrote this book to believers so they will know they have eternal life, so they may grow in grace and continue to live for God.

  2. I John 1:4 – John writes that their joy may be full.

  3. I John 2:1 – John writes that the believers would not sin.

  4. I John 2:7,8 – John writes a new commandment, which is the old commandment, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

  5. I John 2:12 – John write because sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

  6. I John 2:13 – John write to these people for these various reasons.

  7. I John 2:14 – John writes to the fathers and he tells them why he has written.

  8. I John 2:21 – John wrote because the people knew the truth, not because they did not know the truth.

  9. I John 2:26 – John writes because of those that would seduce believers.


  1. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God. (This book has nothing to say to the lost person. There is no benefit to the lost.)

    1. Introduction: This verse is the introduction to the book of I John. Most of the time, the introduction is written in the beginning of the work, but in this case, as is in the case of some of the Old Testament, the introduction of the subject is stated at the end of the address.

    2. There are three points to this message. If you don’t get the first point, you won’t get the second. If you don’t get the first and second point, you won’t get the third point.

    3. There are six witnesses in the book of I John 5 to a person being a son of Christ.

      1. Jesus is the Christ - come in the flesh.

      2. Love for God.

      3. Love for Brethren.

      4. Keep His commandments.

      5. Love His commandments.

      6. Overcome the world.

    4. It is very important to understand that all the above six witnesses NEVER point us to a time when we believe. NEVER are we instructed to use an experience of salvation to prove that we are saved. We are NEVER instructed to look at what we are doing to prove that we are saved. NEVER in this book are we directed to believe in a time, or to trust a time. We are requested to remember the time when we believed, but never to trust in it, or to cause anybody else to look to a time. We are ALWAYS advised to look at what we are.


  1. That ye many know that ye have eternal life,

    1. Need to know that we need to believe.

      1. So we can grow.

      2. Knowledge of personal deficiencies and God’s sufficiency.

      3. So we can fight off Satan’s attacks against us.

    2. Can there be a misunderstanding about whether or not we have eternal life?

      1. It is possible for a person to believe (have eternal life) and not know they have eternal life. II Peter 1:9 - If they don’t add to their faith, and live by the promises of God, they can easily forget they were ever purged from their old sins. 1

      2. It is as possible for a lost person to believe they have eternal life as it is possible for a saved person to not believe they have eternal life.

      3. Matthew 7:21-23 - These lost people believe they have eternal life because of the works they have done. Christ said, “ I never knew you...”

      4. Saved people need assurance of full salvation and forgiveness.

        1. I Thessalonians 1:5 - For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

        2. Hebrews 6:11 - And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

        3. Acts 17:31 – Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

        4. Colossians 2:2 – That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

        5. Hebrews 10:22 – Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

        6. 2 Timothy 1:12 – For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

        7. Job 19:25-27-25 – For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.


  1. and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

    1. This is progressive. If you don’t get the first believing, you won’t get this believing.

      1. It is totally amazing to some that saved people have trouble believing in Christ.

      2. Saved people have already believed unto eternal life, but believing and continually trusting Christ for the everyday situation of life is faith in action.

      3. It is easy to believe Christ when things are going good, but believing Christ continues to be with you when things fall apart is true believing.

    2. Why is the wording exactly the same?

      1. The principle of salvation and service is exactly the same.

      2. We tell the lost person not to trust in themselves, therefore saved people ought to understand that we shouldn’t trust in anything but Christ. I am speaking about trusting Christ every day, and not trusting what we think is best. I know we must make decisions about our life, but we make those decisions trusting Christ, not trusting circumstances. This is called faith.

      3. Peter had to come to terms with believing what Christ said and living as he believed.

        1. John 21:18-22 – Christ told Peter how he would die, then Peter turned and questioned what John would do. All the other disciples were also involved in this same notion, because they spread the rumor that John would not die.

        2. II Peter 1:13 – Peter is no longer arguing with the Lord about what he will do, or what somebody else will do.

        3. Peter is now submissive to the eternal will of God.

      4. John 20:27 – Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

      5. Our eyes need to be opened to the scripture.

        1. Luke 24:31 – Jesus opened the eyes of the two Emmaus travelers.

        2. Luke 24:45 – Jesus opened the understanding of the apostles and other church members so they could understand the scriptures. 2

      6. Col. 3:15,16 - Let the Holy…Let the Word of God…

        1. The word “let” indicates an ability, if we would only submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

        2. The word “let” indicates we have the ability to quench the Holy Spirit of God.

      7. Acts 4:29 - Give us power, no thought for personal safety.

        1. A total belief that God will use them, and if they die, they still give glory and honor to God.

        2. These people knew the chances of them dying for what they believe was high, yet they prayed that God give them what they needed to be true.

        3. Today, we pray that God will keep us out of trouble.

        4. We are more concerned with being healthy than giving glory to God.

        5. We are more concerned about personal safety than using these lives for His glory and honor.

      8. The entire book of Galatians is written concerning our liberty in Christ, not how we serve God by keeping the law.

    3. Need of saved to know they need to believe.

      1. Often saved people think they have “overcome the hurdle” and can now think for themselves. This is where they go wrong.

      2. Living the Christian life involves exactly the same kind of “repentance and faith” as required for salvation. A “giving up of oneself” and a total, unconditional acceptance of God’s ways for us.

    4. True living for God involves faith and trust.

      1. God has placed circumstances in our life to teach us to believe His Word and trust HIM.

      2. Do you have continually repeating bad circumstances? Learn your lesson!!

      3. The bad circumstances may not stop - your attitude will change. You’ll have peace in the midst of the trouble.

      4. I Corinthians 10:13 – God will help us out of temptation, but the temptation remains with us.

    5. Believing involves a knowledge of God and His plan for our lives.

    6. We have the power to believe.

      1. This is why the book of I John was written.

      2. God knew we would need the things written therein.

      3. I Cor. 10:11 - The O. T. was written for our example. This could be said about the entire Bible.