Quote:
Originally Posted by Forrest
Personally, I think verse 3 is understood in the context of verses 1 & 2.
1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning [the Lord Jesus Christ], which we have heard [the Lord Jesus Christ], which we have seen with our eyes [the Lord Jesus Christ], which we have looked upon [the Lord Jesus Christ], and our hands have handled [the Lord Jesus Christ], of the Word of life [the Lord Jesus Christ]; (For the life was manifested [the life of the Lord Jesus Christ], and we have seen it [the life of Lord Jesus Christ], and bear witness [of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ], and shew unto you that eternal life [through the Lord Jesus Christ], which was with the Father [the Lord Jesus Christ], and was manifested unto us [the Lord Jesus Christ]; )
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen [the Lord Jesus Christ] and heard [the Lord Jesus Christ] 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. It seems to me that the Apostle John (and the "we," in verses 1-3, probably the other Apostles) had fellowship with the Father and His Son by believing the witness which was declared. Done deal. Finished. In fellowship right now (at his writing) with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ based solely on believing what they saw with their own eyes, heard with their own ears, handled with their own hands, and declared with their own mouth.
Now, he is declaring the Lord Jesus Christ to all who will read his epistle and listen and heed the message. If they believe their witness, two things will happen.
- They will enter into fellowship with all other believers.
- They will truly have fellowship with the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
|
Personally too, there are two (2) things happened when someone gave heed the message of the John:
1.
Eternal life. Verse 2 is a clear indication of eternal life which life is in his Son which was also with his Father. This life has been broken down since sin entered the world or that relationship we have before God had separated us because of sin. But because of believing Christ saving message of salvation, we are brought back into a new relationship and this realationship is the basis of real fellowship which would bring us to
2.
Fellowship. Having that kind of realtionship, we have the real fellowship which is of the Son and of his Father.
John wrote specifically so that our joy may be full. Eternal life, we have peace. Fellowhsip, we have joy in its fullest.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your
joy may be full.