John’s epistles speak against errors concerning the deity of Christ. In particular, he addresses Gnosticism, Docetism, and Montanism—teachings which have plagued the church ever since John’s first warnings. Ironside’s commentary on 1, 2, & 3 John serves as an excellent starting point for discussions about false teachings in the church today.
Harry Allen Ironside, one of the twentieth century’s greatest preachers, was born in Toronto, Canada on October 14, 1876. Though his education stopped with grammar school, his fondness for reading and a retentive memory put his learning to use. His scholarship was recognized in academic circles when he received honorary degrees from Wheaton College and Bob Jones University and was invited as frequent lecturer at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Ironside was appointed to the boards of numerous Bible institutes, seminaries, and Christian organizations. He also served as director of the Africa Inland Mission. Ironside preached widely throughout the United States and abroad. He served as pastor of Moody Memorial Church from 1930 to 1948, and during his lifetime, he preached more than 7,000 sermons to over 1.25 million listeners.
“The moment a believer becomes self-occupied, unwatchful, neglectful of prayer, you have sin.” (Page 38)
“‘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.’” (Pages 9–10)
“There was another set of gnostics, the Doketists, who denied the reality of the manhood of our Lord Jesus Christ—the reality of His human body. They held that all evil was linked with the flesh, and therefore it was unthinkable that Deity should ever condescend to dwell in a tabernacle of clay. If, for instance, while you gazed upon Him you had attempted to take hold of Him, you would have laid hold of thin air, He was simply a phantom. John meets both these systems in his three epistles.” (Page 12)
“Charles Spurgeon used to say that agnostic is but the Greek word for the Latin ignoramus. So that one might say, ‘I don’t believe the Bible, because I am an ignoramus!’” (Page 11)
“The epistle is written to people who already believe that Jesus is the Christ, but have never been settled on the question of their present position or of the possession of eternal life. ‘That ye might know.” (Page 10)