Identifying the antichrists

To identify the antichrists, know Christ! 1 John 2:22-23 tells us that those who deny the Father and Son are the antichrists. Here are some characteristics of antichrists: (1) Depart from the fellowship (2:18-19), (2) Deny the faith (2:22-23), (3) Deceive the faithful (2:26-29). How do you get to know Christ better? Are you using your biblical glasses to evaluate philosophies and teachings of others to know if what they are teaching is biblical?

Bible Study Tools

We've added some Bible study tools to the right side of our blog. We hope that you'll take a look at these tools to see if they would be helpful for you as you study God's Word. We'll be referencing these tools in upcoming broadcasts and wanted to make them available to you! Happy studying!

Hospitality

The Lord wants us to be hospitable, but it does not always turn out like we might like it to. I think that today was sort of one of those times. We had guests over for Sunday dinner, which is always interesting with Seth being a pastor and us having one car. That means that he is at church for a while after the services, and that I can't go home early to get things going. We also had a meeting after the service, so that put us back a while as well. I generally do a majority of the meal in the crockpot for Sunday dinners (have I ever mentioned that I think that was one of the best inventions ever made?). So, other than being delayed in getting home, everything was going okay until...I was trying to check if the meat was done in the crockpot and the peas boiled over. Then, as we were trying to stop that and get the bread done in the toaster over, I realized that trying to put to many rolls in at one time does not work as I started smelling a very bad smell...smoke. I opened the toaster oven and realized that the rolls were actually on fire! We then had to try to get the rolls out so the fire could be taken care of. Then, because we have our table basically in our kitchen area, I needed to air it out so we could breathe while we ate. I had to open the door to the deck (in Minnesota, in January) to get some fresh air inside. Needless to say, Seth and I ate the very "well-done" rolls. I felt like I had been cooking over a camp fire. But, it was a good afternoon, because we were able to spend time with people from church and they could realize that we are very real people, just like everyone else!!

Anointing by the Holy One

Today we continued in our study of 1 John in chapter 2:20. We asked the question: What is the significance of being anointed by the Holy One? How can we understand this verse? The term “anointing” refers back to the Old Testament when one was anointed with oil to be set apart. As believers we are anointed, set apart. John 6:69 tells us that Jesus is the Holy One who gives this anointing. The anointing is the Holy Spirit as we see in John 1:32-33. This anointing is given at salvation (Ephesians 1:33) and abides in us (1 John 2:27). How exciting that as God’s children, we have the resource we need to discern doctrinal error through the Holy Spirit that abides in us. In the context of 1 John, this was encouraging to the believers in this church as there were many who were turning away from the truth of God’s Word. Join us tomorrow as we continue discussing this verse.

Counterfeit Christians

"Counterfeit Christians." Does that term seem to make sense? 1 John 2:19 tells us that this church had these counterfeit Christians. There were those who were part of the fellowship that once claimed salvation and then left. 2 Timothy 4:1 tells us that in the later times some will depart from the faith. Note this does not state they "lost" their salvation. When we read 1 John 2:19 it says when these counterfeit Christians left it was so that it would be "plain that they all are not of us." Have you experienced this in your church? Have you had professing believers part of your fellowship and then later leave the church to go back to their old lifestyle? It could be that they never truly accepted Christ. This gives you a way to pray for them - that if they are not saved, then the Lord would lead them to salvation. Only God knows the heart and if they are a child of God. You can be confident that those who are truly saved that God can lead them to repentance. Pray for those who have left...

Now on Facebook

Women in the Word is now on Facebook! We will continue discussions here as well as on facebook. We hope that either of these tools will be a help to you as we study God's word together!

A study in 1 John 2:18

As the ladies dig into verse 18 of chapter 2, they asked today what it means that "many antichrists have come"? They shared how John was referring to those in the church who were false teachers, those who were opponents of Jesus. These false teachers were not accurately reflecting Christ which is why John was writing against them. In personal application - does your life accurately reflect Christ? Do your attitudes, behaviors and words reflect the true nature of Christ? I hope that this has been a challenge to you today as it has been to me.

Introduction of 1 John 2:18-25

As the ladies begin this new section in 1 John 2:18-25, please note that there is much discussion regarding meanings of words in this section. They will be doing their best to practically apply this section to our lives. We pray that you'll enjoy digging in with them in this more difficult passage.