Today’s Superverse is 1 John 1:1 – 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 key question in this passage is whether it means that Jesus shares in the same essence with God the Father or whether this phrase refers to Him as an individual person. Most scholars are in agreement that this phrase refers to Jesus Christ, God’s second Person of the Trinity and Son. Support for this understanding comes from other places within the New Testament where this Greek term appears and can be translated as teaching, instruction, statement news question etc; depending on context it can also serve as an alternative name for Him (Christ).
Another key fact to bear in mind when reading John’s epistles is that John was an eyewitness to Jesus himself and knew him intimately during his ministry. This should have an enormous influence on our interpretation of these books compared to Paul’s letters which tend to reflect influences from outside teachers; John wrote from first-hand experience and knowledge of Jesus himself.
Thus, we should anticipate that 1 John will offer us an extremely unique perspective on Jesus and what it takes to become a Christian, which differs greatly from what other Christians may believe. Indeed, that is exactly what happens; his primary aim was to help readers recognize false teaching and grow closer to the Lord; using doctrine of Trinity as an instrument toward this end.
There is much commentary that suggests the opening words of this chapter should be read as providing indicators as to whether someone meets the qualifications to become a true Christian, such as A W Pink, F F Bruce, Robert Law and John MacArthur’s views on this matter.
This interpretation gains strength from the fact that Genesis 1:1 contains identical opening words as this chapter: In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), who was with God and was God Himself. This provides compelling evidence to support the conclusion that the Word (Jesus) existed from eternity past and shares in its essence with His Creator God, Father.
People who prefer this interpretation aren’t necessarily Calvinists or Arminians – both views can exist simultaneously and be valid. But most evangelical scholars tend to reject it in favor of more traditional understanding that Jesus’ divine nature makes Him fully divine.
