Traditional Catholic Prayers: Second Epistle Of Saint John the last Apostle and Evangelist Chapter 1

Second Epistle Of Saint John the last Apostle and Evangelist Chapter 1

The direct external evidence that this as well as the following Epistle was written by St. John the Apostle, is fully attested to in the Church Fathers. Extensive references to both Epistles are found in early patristic literature to prove their authorship and authenticity. We have a number of testimonies in the citation of passages obviously derived from either the Second or the Third Epistle. Again, the vocabulary throughout is precisely that which is found in the Gospel of Saint John and in the First Epistle.

The ideas and expressions of the Second Epistle are the same as those of the First; hence its composition must have been prompted by the same. It was written towards the end of the first century.

The recipient of the Second Epistle is addressed as “Elect Lady.” The meaning of the title is exact. Many have pointed out that an individual is meant, one who was referred to as Kuria or Elect. The primary exegetes point out that the title means first of all the whole Church, and then a particular church in Asia Minor, “an elect lady.”

The Apostle commends the recipients of the letter for their steadfastness in the true faith, and exhorts them to persevere, lest they lose the reward of their labors. He exhorts them to love one another, but warns them to have no fellowship with heretics, and not even to greet them.

1. THE presbyter [ancient] to the Elect Lady and to her children whom I love in truth — and not I alone, but also all who have a known the truth — [It is emphatic that St John the Apostle and Evangelist and to whom ALONE amongst the Apostles was given the Book of the Revelation was appointed by Our Only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to be the final Apostle {the rest were dead as Our Lord Jesus Christ foretold for the exact reason that St. John would be the final Apostle to the Truth, see John 21:22

Jesus said to him [Peter], “If I will have him [John] to remain until I come, what is that to thee? Do thou [Peter] follow me.” The exact meaning is John was to remain and be the final Apostle and Witness. Peter was to follow in Christ’s footsteps and be crucified. It falls to St. Peter to be an example, but to St. John to be the final teacher of the faithful in Christ’s name.

} and witness to the Truth of the Gospel and its true interpretation – no one else, NOT St. Peter and NOT St. Paul NOR any one else. “…all who have a known the truth” – means The whole collegiality of all the faithful Apostles, the original faithful eleven {Judas Iscariot fell and is not numbered with them after that}, all the faithful disciples and followers of Our Only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ including the disciples of Saint John, first and foremost is St. Polycarp who was St. John’s disciple from early childhood to adulthood. Emphatically Note that St. Irenaeus was St. Polycarp’s disciple in the same way that St. Polycarp had been St. John’s disciple – Their witness is concerning Rome and any pretended Papacy – That there is no such thing, but only that any humble and simple and true bishop anywhere tell the truth – no favorites or any one of them above the Church. The Truth is that St. John and his disciple St. Polycarp and his disciple St. Irenaeus and his disciple St. Hippolytus emphatically make it certain that only Jesus Christ is the head over His Church – there is NO earthly head. Our Only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ irrevocably established that in the first place with absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS.]

2. For the sake of the truth which abides in us, and will be with us forever.

3. Grace, mercy and peace be with you from God the Father and from Christ Jesus, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

TEACHING OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST, AN APOSTLE OF THE ORIGINAL TWELVE AND THE FINAL APOSTLE

4. I rejoiced greatly that I found some of thy children walking in truth, according to the commandment that we have received from the Father.

5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6. And this is love, that we walk according to His commaudments. This is the commandment, that, just as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in the same.

Against False Teachers

7. For many deceivers have gone forth into the world who do not confess Jesus as the Christ coming in the flesh, This is the deceiver and the Antichrist.

8. Look to yourselves, that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.

9. Anyone who advances and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, has not God; he who abides in the doctrine, he has both the Father and the Son.

10. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house, or say to him, Welcome.

11. For he who says to him, Welcome, is sharer in his evil works.

Conclusion

12. Though I have much to write to you, I do not wish to do so with paper and ink; for I hope to be with you and to speak face to face, I that your joy may be full.

13. The children of thy Elect sister greet thee.

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One of the pretended claims of the Papacy, to be able to forgive sin – when only God can forgive sin, is emphatically not allowed here where St. John tells us how we are forgiven: John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life: 2 For the life was manifested; and we have seen and do bear witness, and declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us: 3 That which we have seen and have heard, we declare unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship may be with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you, that you may rejoice, and your joy may be full. 5 And this is the declaration which we have heard from him, and declare unto you: That God is light, and in him there is no darkness. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

See: God, His Infinite Existence and Governing Presence in His creation and His forgiveness of sin

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