1 John Chapter 1 Pt. 1 An Eyewitness Account & Fellowship With God

I want to begin a new study through the letter of 1 John. This epistle and the book of Revelation, were written near the end of the John's life. 

Many years elapsed between when John wrote his gospel and when this letter was penned. 

We will benefit from the aged apostle's perspective of the church as he neared the end of his life.

John's credentials as an eyewitness are impeccable. 

1 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; 

John immediately connects the truth he is writing, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the gospel he wrote earlier.

John 1:1 begins "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." In that text, it connects back to the Genesis creation account. 

John taught us that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh and that He is also the Creator. 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Here in his letter, John tells us that the apostles were with Jesus from the beginning. 

They heard all of Jesus teachings. They witnessed all His miracles. They accompanied Him each day and night for 3 1/2 years. They touched Him and were touched by Jesus.

John makes an irrefutable case that they were indeed, first hand, eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ's life on earth. 

The apostles of Jesus Christ were witnesses of His death, burial and resurrection, and of His ascension to His Father in heaven.

While on earth, Jesus Christ displayed grace and truth at all times. He was the Word of eternal life, sent by the Father, with a glorious message of salvation.

John gives an accurate, Spirit Guided report about Jesus Christ. 

1 John 1:1-3  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 it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3)  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

When we put the first 3 verses together, we can gain a fuller sense of John's faithfulness as a witness for his risen Lord. 

Jesus Christ is the life giver. At Creation, He made all things, and gave life to every living thing. 

With the word of His power, He sustains that same life, generation after generation (Hebrews 1:3). With the Word of His power, He governs the universe. 

John saw these things. He heard these things, and he brings us an accurate report of these things. 

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

When John tells us that the Word of life, Jesus Christ was manifested to us, he is letting us know that deity came to earth. 

Paul, guided by God's Spirit, wrote a theologically sound declaration about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

God was "manifest" in the flesh. Jesus Christ was and is God in a human body. 

Paul tells us that all the "fulness" of the Godhead (Father, Son and Spirit) dwells in Christ bodily (See Colossians 1:19. 2:9). 

This is why when Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus said "If you see me, you have seen the Father!" (John 14:9).

The word "declare" is the idea that God sent this inspired record to the apostles, that they might make it known throughout the world. 

Jesus Christ is the fountain of all life and He is the source of eternal life, for all who will repent and believe. 

John's testimony is most credible. He wants us to know all the things concerning Jesus Christ, that they saw and heard, and they are the very things he is communicating to us. 

The words "bear witness" come from a Greek word with a very specific meaning. 

This word means that what John is affirming was taught to him by the Holy Spirit's divine revelation or inspiration.

John and the others, lived these things out. They experienced Jesus firsthand, up close, in a way that no one else ever will, until we arrive in heaven.  

What is the central purpose in declaring these truths to us?

It is that all men everywhere might repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. 

John says the reason this letter to the churches was written, was so "you might have fellowship with us." 

John defines what type of fellowship he is calling us to. He is calling us into an intimate fellowship, with both the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. 

Thus, the apostle begins with an invitation to all who read this inspired letter to the churches, that they might believe on Jesus Christ and be born again. 

The word fellowship is first used to describe the Church at its very beginning.

A close fellowship with God and with Jesus is possible!

Acts 2:42-47  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

This is a beautiful setting. Peter just finished preaching his first sermon, and more than 3,000 people were saved that day. It is the Church in its purest form, this side of heaven. 

What did they do after salvation? The Spirit guided account from the book of Acts tells us. They concentrated on 4 things. 

Learning the apostolic doctrine. Staying in close fellowship with each other. Sharing meals together. Spending time in prayer and worship.  

We probably all experience this kind of fellowship to some degree. We have a small, but very committed church family. 

We have had our hearts knit together by the Spirit of God. We rejoice in the time we can spend together, laying aside the care and problems of this world. 

The best example of such a fellowship is provided by the early church.

However, as blessed as our fellowship with other Christians is here, we are called to something higher. Fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We will experience this fellowship fully when God calls us home to heaven. 

These truths will bring us full joy in Jesus Christ. 

1 John 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 

John wraps up the first paragraph by reminding us why he wrote these things. He wrote the gospel so that we might believe and be saved. 

He is writing this to invite all who read it, can come into a close fellowship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

He is writing these things because without knowing these truths, our joy will not be complete. He is writing this letter, so that our joy will be full and complete. 

Psalm 146:5  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:   

The Psalmist shows us the beauty of joy, in the midst of challenging circumstances. 

The crops may fail, and the livestock may perish, and the people may be living in misery.

Even so, the Christian can rejoice in the Lord. The God of Jacob is our Mighty Helper. 

Jehovah is our strength, and He will lift us up when we humble ourselves before Him. 

He will care for us even when everything externally seems to be against us. 

This is why John is writing to the churches, so that we might have joy in the midst of sorrow, affliction and hardship. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

God is faithful and He will never leave nor forsake us. 

He ever cares for His children and He nurtures each one of us.

Thus, our help comes from God and our hope is in the LORD. 

Take hold of the Spirit inspired Word of God and do not let go of it.

Keep God's truth close to your heart, and you will find that close fellowship with the Father and the Son.

Rejoice in the blessing that God gave us an inspired and preserved record, that is reliable, and true. 

Bob