3 John 1:3
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
"I rejoiced greatly."
A tragic thing has happened in the church John writes to. Diotrophes has so usurped authority that he refuses to give even the apostle a place of ministry in the church (not to mention some other brethren as well.)
Still worse is that it appears the church has, for the most part, gone along. They have followed along with Diotrophes. They have lost their respect for those who have laid the foundation for their faith.
Scofield says this marks the end of the primitive church. Declension is now permanent. Never again will the church be seen in such simplicity.
While Scofield's perspective is Protestant and therefore fails to take into account the already existent Ana Baptist churches, I think I sense the pain that John must have endured. John did not ignore the difficulty and said he would confront it. Diotrophes would be rebuked.
But the key to this book is that John did not allow this end of an era to rob his joy. There was Gaius. And John rejoiced greatly in his testimony. There is always at least one for whom we can give thanks that he has stayed true to the truths he was originally taught.
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
"I rejoiced greatly."
A tragic thing has happened in the church John writes to. Diotrophes has so usurped authority that he refuses to give even the apostle a place of ministry in the church (not to mention some other brethren as well.)
Still worse is that it appears the church has, for the most part, gone along. They have followed along with Diotrophes. They have lost their respect for those who have laid the foundation for their faith.
Scofield says this marks the end of the primitive church. Declension is now permanent. Never again will the church be seen in such simplicity.
While Scofield's perspective is Protestant and therefore fails to take into account the already existent Ana Baptist churches, I think I sense the pain that John must have endured. John did not ignore the difficulty and said he would confront it. Diotrophes would be rebuked.
But the key to this book is that John did not allow this end of an era to rob his joy. There was Gaius. And John rejoiced greatly in his testimony. There is always at least one for whom we can give thanks that he has stayed true to the truths he was originally taught.
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