https://share.google/Xnc0T2COwEVz6zXgt - John preached the Gospel early on. I’ve shared it below after this: John preached the truth in depth. Linked are 5 sermons on 7 verses: (The context being 1 John 1:5-2:2) Proverbs 9:10 “The [fear] {of the LORD} is (the beginning… of wisdom), And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. “For [the wrath of God] is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” (Romans 1:18) MacArthur used to remind us that the word “Gospel” means “good news.” 1 of the reasons it’s such “good news” is because the “bad” news {proceeds} the good news. Practicing sinners need to know about their desperate situation. God the Holy Spirit (Whom Jesus referred to as The Helper) came to convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment, to convince the lost sinner that he or she is in need of a Savior. cf. John 16:8. Well, I recall John opened up this sermon early on testifying of the Gospel (including the essential element of repentance (Acts 20:21). I’ve cut and pasted in what he preached & linked the sermon. “First John 2:2, “And He Himself is the {propitiation} (I.e., ultimate satisfaction) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for those of the whole world.” “Let’s start out to understand this verse very basically... The Bible teaches clearly that God is holy and mankind is not. Simple enough? God is holy and mankind is not. In fact,… the Bible explicitly teaches that “every” person who has ever lived has “broken” God’s holy law. Every person who has ever lived has “rebelled” against God” - has incurred, therefore, His just “wrath” and has been duly sentenced to “eternal punishment.” That is the universal “bad” news… But on the other hand, there is “good” news. The good news (the gospel…) is that God…, while being just… and holy,… is also gracious… and merciful…, and so He offers complete forgiveness for “all” violations of His law, and He offers “complete” escape and deliverance from just punishment. To whom is this given? It is given to all who have saving faith in His Son, Jesus Christ... For anybody who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior {and Lord}, who {repents for sin}, [and embraces Jesus Christ], there is forgiveness…, forgiveness of all sin & deliverance from the “penalty” of sin, eternal damnation, and instead…, there’s the promise of eternal blessing and holy perfection. That is the gospel. [That is the good news that follows the bad news.] God, then, on the one hand, to borrow the words of Paul, is just... But on the other hand, He is a justifier of sinners. This is the great core of understanding the Christian faith. (God is holy, God is just, God is also gracious and merciful. Because He is holy and just, He demands punishment for sin.) And every sin must be and will be punished - every sin ever committed by every person. But on the other hand, God is also gracious and merciful and eager to forgive sin. How God satisfies His justice and His grace is the great scheme of redemption. What I recommend to you: Hear this mini-series linked below on sermons 62–6 through 62-10. The context is on: 1 John 1:5-2:2. Read the linked sermons titles, as it’s such an amazing progression: https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-6/the-certainty-of-sin-part-2 https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-7/the-certainty-of-sin-part-3 https://www.gty.org/.../total-forgiveness-and-the... https://www.gty.org/sermons/62-9/our-divine-defense-attorney https://www.gty.org/.../62-10/the-sacrifice-that-satisfied I pray that hearers would benefit much from this series. That you’d receive a deeper understanding of foundational salvific doctrines.