John’s Testimony
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1John 1:1-4
Here in a nutshell is what John himself a disciple of Christ actually seen and believes.
He testifies to have actually been with Christ. Here is a man that more than likely received a physical hug of friendship from Christ himself. Who shared meals with Jesus, who even seen him crucified and spoke with him after he rose from the dead.
John truly knew Christ intimately.
He testifies that Jesus is the life. John States,
“...we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
John makes it clear why he is writing this,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John after spending three years with Jesus. Was convinced beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was indeed God in the flesh.
This man had first hand knowledge of Jesus. He would have known if Jesus was truly who he said he was. He would have seen the flaws.
It’s been my experience that the longer you’re with someone the better you get to know them. The harder it is for someone to hide flaws and other things from you.
When I worked in industry we would keep a person on probation as long as we could. Not because we saved money we didn’t they received the same pay as a permanent worker.
We kept them on probation to see if they not only caught onto the job but if they were a reliable employee. That they turned up on time. If they got along with the other workers. Or if they had any negative traits that would compromise the company.
The company had found out that most people revealed their true colours usually within their first ninety days.
It would have been the same for the disciples of Jesus. They had three years to judge his teachings, his life and lifestyle.
They would know if there was anything wrong with him.
They obviously found no fault in him. Thus they followed him even after his death and resurrection.
At the trial of two of the Apostles a Pharisee named Gamaliel one of the finest teachers of his day noted to the Sanhedrin.
“Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:35-39.
What he is saying is basically false messiahs had arisen in the past but when their leader died they dispersed and the movement came to nothing.
He makes the very valid point saying,
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
I believe history has proven and continues to prove that Jesus is the Son of God.
That the movement he started is from God and that those who are fighting against it are indeed fighting against God.
Think about it.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1John 1:1-4
Here in a nutshell is what John himself a disciple of Christ actually seen and believes.
He testifies to have actually been with Christ. Here is a man that more than likely received a physical hug of friendship from Christ himself. Who shared meals with Jesus, who even seen him crucified and spoke with him after he rose from the dead.
John truly knew Christ intimately.
He testifies that Jesus is the life. John States,
“...we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
John makes it clear why he is writing this,
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John after spending three years with Jesus. Was convinced beyond a doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was indeed God in the flesh.
This man had first hand knowledge of Jesus. He would have known if Jesus was truly who he said he was. He would have seen the flaws.
It’s been my experience that the longer you’re with someone the better you get to know them. The harder it is for someone to hide flaws and other things from you.
When I worked in industry we would keep a person on probation as long as we could. Not because we saved money we didn’t they received the same pay as a permanent worker.
We kept them on probation to see if they not only caught onto the job but if they were a reliable employee. That they turned up on time. If they got along with the other workers. Or if they had any negative traits that would compromise the company.
The company had found out that most people revealed their true colours usually within their first ninety days.
It would have been the same for the disciples of Jesus. They had three years to judge his teachings, his life and lifestyle.
They would know if there was anything wrong with him.
They obviously found no fault in him. Thus they followed him even after his death and resurrection.
At the trial of two of the Apostles a Pharisee named Gamaliel one of the finest teachers of his day noted to the Sanhedrin.
“Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:35-39.
What he is saying is basically false messiahs had arisen in the past but when their leader died they dispersed and the movement came to nothing.
He makes the very valid point saying,
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
I believe history has proven and continues to prove that Jesus is the Son of God.
That the movement he started is from God and that those who are fighting against it are indeed fighting against God.
Think about it.
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