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.

1 John 1: 1-4

This afternoon I watched a video of a well known politician who answered a question concerning Jesus’ deity by reducing Jesus as just another religious leader and essentially denying Christianity’s claims about Jesus as the only Name where salvation is found (Acts 4:12).

We live in a world that is often confused about the person of Jesus. Most world religions including many New Age teachings try to remake Jesus so that He fits within their philosophy.The same thing was happening in the first century and this prompted John’s first epistle and the opening verses found above.

One of my study Bibles includes this introduction to John’s letter –

This apostolic letter speaks authoritatively about the truth of the incarnation—a message John’s doubting readers needed after hearing false teachers deny the full divinity and humanity of Christ. It reaffirms the core of Christianity, saying that either we exhibit the sound doctrine, obedience, and love that characterize all Christians, or else we are not true Christians.

While others were diminishing Jesus, John spoke up as an eye witness of Jesus’ life, ministry and resurrection. His goal was to counter the deceiving messages and to proclaim the Truth of the Gospel.