The Answer

The Answer: A Study of I John The Church of Grace was founded on the day of Pentecost and with its founding began a new administration. John addressed his first epistle to those newly-born into the fellowship to inform them of their position, rights and responsibilities in the sight of God. When the words “from the beginning” are used in the first verse, it does not refer to the “in the beginning” as in Genesis 1:1. “The beginning,” is found seven times in this epistle; six times it refers to the beginning of this administration, the period of the Church of Grace; the seventh time it refers to the time of beginning when iniquity was found in the devil. I 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. Hearing, seeing and handling are in the realm of the five senses. The Word can be known to the natural man through his five senses—he has no other way by which to become knowledgeable. Verse 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.) John is informing the people that he is going to make known his revelation concerning this “Word of life.” Verse 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. A child cannot have fellowship in an earthly family until after his birth. This is true of God’s spiritual family also. We must be born again of God before we can have fellowship with God in His family. John is writing not to the unbelievers but to those who are sons, to those who are born again so that they may have fellowship with God and with the other believers. Verse 4: And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. Joy is also a fruit of the spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22 where it