THE EPISTLE OF 1 JOHN 1. WRITER: John (1 John 1:1) "Which we have seen with our eyes ...". The witness. 2. KEY VERSE: (1 Jn 1:7) "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." 3. MAIN THEME: The Christian Life      a. Key words: Know, Love, Fellowship, Son, Light, Life.      b. The center of John's theology is not a creed or a doctrine, but a person.      c. John outlines the conditions for fellowship.      d. His is a book of contrasts. 4. OUTLINE:      A. Christian Fellowship (Ch 1)      B. Christian Separation (Ch 2)      C. Christian Manner of Life (Ch 3)      D. Christian Light and Love (Ch 4)      E. Christian Victory (Ch 5) COMMENTS: When John talks of sinlessness (1 John 3:9), he is referring to the new nature as opposed to the old. The believer may fall into sin, but does not continue in sin. The Advocate mentioned in 1 John 2:1 is Jesus Himself. We have an Advocate in Heaven - Jesus, and an Advocate on earth - The Holy Spirit (John 14:26). Both Advocate and Comforter are the english translation of the same greek word. An advocate or Comforter is one who stands along side to render comfort and aid.