EXPERIENCING THE WORD OF LIFE Lesson 2 for the 11th of July, 2009

John mixed personally with Jesus, who is eternal Life. He tells us this in order to: Have fellowship with one another, and each one with God. Make our joy complete.

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 upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life 1:2 (the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us) 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

1ª de Juan 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life 1:2 (the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us) 1:3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. The second verse is an explanation of the expression “Word of life”. We can read the whole paragraph without this explanation to understand the idea John wants to transmit better. 1:4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

THE TESTIMONY OF SENSES "Which we have heard" “And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” 2 Peter, 1:18

THE TESTIMONY OF SENSES "Which we have seen with our eyes" “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” 2 Peter, 1:16

"Which we have looked upon" THE TESTIMONY OF SENSES "Which we have looked upon" “In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel” Isaiah, 17: 7

"[Which] our hands have handled" THE TESTIMONY OF SENSES "[Which] our hands have handled" “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see” Luke, 24: 39

What did John hear, see, look upon and handle? “En In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John, 1: 1, 14) THE WORD OF LIFE “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called THE WORD OF GOD” (Revelation, 19: 13)

Why does John announce the Word of life? THAT WE MAY HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER WITH THE FATHER AND HIS SON “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ”

THAT OUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE Why does John write about the Word of life? THAT OUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” “We write this to make our joy complete” John, 15: 11 NIV 1 John, 1: 4 NIV

The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, about John, 15: 11 “Christians find joy in resting in Christ’s love, in won battles and in a selfless service in favour of humanity. Joy will be fulfilled in the future world, but those who stay in Christ can experience a marvellous and intense joy here and now.” The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, about John, 15: 11

“John, who has personally known Christ, desires to share his knowledge with his readers in order that they may enjoy the same fellowship he is already enjoying with the Father and the Son. In the course of expressing this loving desire, he asserts the divinity, the eternity, and the incarnation—and consequent humanity—of the Son. This wondrous knowledge he conveys in simple but emphatic language so that readers, in his own day and in ours, may have no doubt concerning the foundation of the Christian faith and the nature and work of Jesus Christ.” The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 629, about 1 Juan, 1: 4