That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:1-7 ESV)
John was there. He was one of the apostles to whom the early church devoted themselves to listen to his teaching. (Acts 2:42). He was also a part of the original fellowship, the Twelve, and integrally involved in the fellowship of First Church at Jerusalem. He experienced and explained this fellowship of believers with one another, based upon their common relationship with God through Christ. They were forgiven sinners who had become a part of the family of God. It was a whole new life. This message, this forgiveness, and this fellowship, have been passed on down through the generations. It is a sacred trust that we should value and preserve at all costs. May we not take it lightly.
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