"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, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew 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. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1st John 1:1-3)

The Apostle John (the son of Zebedee and brother of James) opens this marvelous epistle with the glorious theme of fellowship. But he does not intend any regular, earthly fellowship with a shared interest in sports, video games, or any other trivial matter. John points toward the ultimate fellowship with God!

John declares that as his hearers learn more about Jesus Christ, they will have a deeper fellowship with John. And, as their fellowship with John increases, so will their fellowship with God.

Refuting some of the heresies of the day, John shows the true nature of Jesus Christ in equality to God the Father. Jesus was with God in the beginning of time and He was the author of the universe. This corresponds to the beginning of John's gospel and Paul's letter to the Colossians.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”(John 1:1-3)

"for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17)

When we seek to have fellowship with God, we must understand that to know Who God is, we must know Who Jesus is. Why? Because Jesus is God! Jesus was not just a pretty good man or prophet. Jesus IS the Son of God and the Creator of the universe! When we have true fellowship with God it is Jesus Christ that we fellowship. When we understand Who Jesus is and have fellowship with Him, it is God Himself that we fellowship!