“That which was from the beginning, which we have beard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” ―1 John 1:1-3.
“FROM the beginning.” This expression, with which the first Epistle of John opens, is not the same as “In the beginning,” with which the Gospel is introduced. The latter refers to the past eternity; the former to the beginning of Christianity. Note how frequently the expression is used in John’s first and second letters. See 1 John 2:7, 13, 14, 24 (twice); 3:11; 2 John 5, 6. In each instance it refers definitely to that which had been made known from the beginning of the Christian era, and which we are responsible to maintain to the end. It is the revelation of God in Christ through whom we enter into fellowship with the Father and the Son.
“O God, Thou now hast glorified
Thy holy, blest, eternal Son!
The Nazarene, the Crucified,
Now sits exalted on Thy throne!
To Him in faith we cry aloud, —
Worthy art Thou, O Lamb of God!”
―J. G. Deck.