1Jo 4:6-8 | TNotes | STEP | 4:6 John tests the reality of a person’s Christianity by whether they listen to and agree with the teachings of the apostles. • The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit (John 14:17 , 26 ; 15:26 ; 16:13-15 ), who teaches the truth about Christ (1 Jn 2:20 , 27 ). • False prophets have the spirit of deception , the spirit of antichrist, which leads people away from Christ (see study note on 2:22). Therefore, union with the historic body of Christ and the consensus of teaching that began with the apostles is a sign of fidelity to Christ’s work in the world.

a4:6►

bJohn 14:17►

c26►

d15:26►

e16:13-15►

f1 Jn 2:20►

g27►

h4:7-21►

i4:8►

j1:5►

‏ 1 John 4:6-8

4:6 ^a John tests the reality of a person’s Christianity by whether they listen to and agree with the teachings of the apostles.

• The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit (John 14:17 ^b, 26 ^c; 15:26 ^d; 16:13-15 ^e), who teaches the truth about Christ (1 Jn 2:20 ^f, 27 ^g).

• False prophets have the spirit of deception, the spirit of antichrist, which leads people away from Christ (see study note on 2:22). Therefore, union with the historic body of Christ and the consensus of teaching that began with the apostles is a sign of fidelity to Christ’s work in the world.
Summary for 1John 4:7-21: 4:7-21 ^h John explains the source of a Christian’s love and its outworking.
4:8 ⁱ God is love, the source and embodiment of all love. This concept and the concept that “God is light” (1:5 ^j) form the foundation on which John writes this letter.