The apostle John begins his first epistle in similar fashion to his gospel, the subject being “the Word of life.” This “Word of life” “was from the beginning.” Like John’s gospel, this Word was not merely an idea or illusion, but was tangible. “The Word became flesh” (John 1:14). John, and the other apostles, had witnessed the incarnate Word – Jesus Christ.

The eternal God was made manifest to the world via the incarnate Word. The apostles had firsthand experience with this “eternal life.” The fact that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” necessitates knowing Him, for “no one comes to the Father except through [Him]” (John 14:6). The apostles are the means, chosen by Christ, to manifest that “Word of life” to the ones who had no firsthand experience.

The reason John, and the other apostles, declared the “Word of life” was so those to whom they made it manifest would have fellowship with them. Yet, the only way to have fellowship with them is to have fellowship with the Father. For, “truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Their communication of the Word allows for our joy to be full. For through that message we know, and can be in fellowship with, Christ and God.

– Special note on fellowship –

John addresses the false doctrine – Jesus Christ did not come in the flesh – in his second epistle. As a matter of fellowship he said, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [Doctrine of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him” (2 John 10). Some contend that this doctrine is merely the fact that Christ came in the flesh. They include only that fact, and leave out all that He taught. In other words, the only individuals John instructs to “not receive” are those “who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.” This allows those who teach and believe erroneous doctrine to be in fellowship with those who teach and believe only the truth, as long as they believe He has come in the flesh. This, by itself, is false doctrine and should not be tolerated. That interpretation of 2 John 9-11 is inconsistent with 1 John 1:1-4.

John’s introduction to his first epistle describes his interaction with the “Word of life” in distinct ways. That “which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” obviously refers to a tangible object, in this case the person Jesus. With this truth John repudiates the false doctrine that Christ had not come in the flesh. John looked at Him! He touched Him! Is that the only way John describes his experience with the “Word of life”? On the contrary, he also describes that Word as that “which we have heard.” John is certainly not referring to an idle noise. He is alluding to the audible words spoken by the Christ! Fellowship not only depends on confession of Christ as coming in the flesh, but also belief of, and obedience to, the complete doctrine He spoke! The man and the message are one. To separate the two is tantamount to denying Him!