This letter was written by the Apostle John about AD90 to believers in Asia Minor. The letter was to assure believers of their salvation (5 v13).

In this opening section John teaches that Jesus is the Gospel (v1-2). It is all about who Jesus is, what He has done and knowing him. This Gospel they are to proclaim (v1-3), is more than a belief system; it is the person of Jesus.

John speaks of hearing, seeing and even touching the Word of Life. This is to get across that Jesus was a truly physical human being and not just a spiritual entity. This is counteracting the false teaching of Gnosticism which denied the truly human nature of Christ. Jesus became fully human to lift fallen humanity.

Jesus is described as ‘the eternal life, which was with the Father’ (v2). Jesus; the one Mediator between God and man is fully God and fully man. We must be careful never to deny or diminish either natures in our thinking.

The word ‘life’ dominates as it is mentioned three times (v1-2). Christianity is vibrant as it is about life. Jesus gives true and eternal life (John 17v3).

This life is in a relationship and through fellowship with God (v3). Fellowship with God creates fellowship with God’s people (v3) and a life of joy (v4).