The Begotten Persevere

"Every one who is believing that Jesus is the Christ, of God he hath been begotten, and every one who is loving Him who did beget, doth love also him who is begotten of Him." (I John 5: 1 Young's Literal Translation)

The text literally reads: "whoever believes (a present tense participle) that Jesus is the Christ has been born (a perfect tense participle) of God."

Syllogism

1. Whoever has believed in the past and who has even now the continuing effects of that act of believing, has been born of God.

2. John believed in the past but now has no continuing effects of that act of believing.

3. John has not been born of God.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I John 5: 4, 5 KJV)

Syllogism

1. Whoever is born of God, overcomes.

2. John does not overcome.

3. John was not born of God.

Syllogism

1. Faith that is begotten (created) by God, overcomes.

2. John's faith did not overcome.

3. John's faith was not begotten of God.