"I heard Jesus speak," John writes. "I saw him . . . I even touched him." Just as we would write about someone we knew and loved, John tells us the truth about the Savior. In the face of false teaching about Jesus, John takes a direct approach. But he doesn't let believers off the hook without an examination of their own lives. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

John was not alone in his concern about the influence of false teachers in the early church. Jude, a half-brother of Christ, also wrote to the early believers. His letter firmly warns us against defecting from true biblical faith, urges all believers to fight for truth, and encourages us to stand firm in spite of intense spiritual warfare.

The MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. Each guide incorporates extensive commentary, detailed observations on overriding themes, and probing questions to help you study the Word of God with guidance from John MacArthur.