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Testimony of John 1John 1:1-4
Testimony of John 1John 1:1-4
As John begins this letter to the disciples, he lays before them the very foundation of Christianity: the testimony of those that witnessed the life of Jesus. In particular, that John witnessed not only the life of Jesus BEFORE His death, but also His life AFTER His resurrection!
Often the story of Jesus is likened to the old party game of ‘telephone’ where one person whispers a short message to the next person, who then, without being able to have it clarified, repeated, or verified by the speaker, must whisper it to the next. And so it goes until we reach the end. At that point the last hearer explains what he has heard, and it is compared to the original. It never is the same. IS that REALLY a comparison to the story of Jesus? NO!
Reread verses 1-4 of the first chapter! Not only did the apostles SEE, HEAR, TOUCH, and SCRUTINIZE, they proclaimed this message publicly and repeatedly! Then, they wrote it down! Such testimony comes not from ONE source, but many. Such can be heard, read, studied, memorized, and rechecked and validated.
Thus, John writes that these disciples didn’t just ‘believe’, but they could KNOW! A quick search, using Logos bible program, shows John using the word ‘KNOW’ 42 times in these three letters! As you read these letters, make a point of noting each of these things that we are to know! Make a list, read it, memorize it, trust it, and practice it!
Based upon such knowledge, they have fellowship with the apostles and live in the hope of eternal life with God through the sacrifice of Jesus. Such turns simple ‘belief’ into confidence and conviction!
Are you basing your whole life and eternity upon such faithful testimony?
Hugh DeLong
