1 John 1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen.
We proclaim
The Bible’s authors chief responsibility to it's readers is to herald and proclaim. Herald and proclaim what?
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Bible is about the one who existed from the beginning. Now the Bibles authors (New Testament clearly are saying who they are preaching about existed from the beginning.
In order for someone to exist at the beginning would have to simultaneously mean that that person existed before the beginning in order for them to exist at the beginning which appears to be an oxymoron. Who ever these Bible teachers are bout to expound apon is absolutely infinite (no beginning nor ending).
Now they emphatically proclaim about this person (who existed from the beginning) that they have heard Him and seen Him. This is a bold statement considering who we are discussing. I mean could a piece of artwork ever know it’s artist, could a beautiful song ever know it’s psalmist, could a well written play ever know it’s play write. Man’s creation’s prove that creators are so exhalted above it’s creations that it’s unconscionable to believe the work would be able to interpret its worker and for what reason.
After all, God refused to show Himself to those in the Old Testament. Moses who was God’s man was outright refused when he requested to see God. God responded, “Knowone can see my face and live.” God veiled His glory in the Old Testament to shield humanity from disaster of beholding His great glory. Which explains perfectly why God visited the earth as a human. The flesh that humanity is housed in became the perfect veil to shield God’s glory from being fully exposed to humanity. It is clear that Jesus still possessed this glory as displayed in Mark chapter 9 when Peter describes his garments as being whiter than any cleaner could get a garment. It was only described as radiance.
What great love, for God to leave heaven to come to the earth for the purpose of saving humanity.
God visited humanity:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Let’s address this right up front: The Bible teaches that Jesus is God. This can be clearly seen in a couple of helpful verses.
1) Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2) John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
3) Colossians 1:16 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:
The point is the Bible starts off by saying, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the Bible says in John and Colossians that Jesus made everything, which means he also made the heavens and the earth proven that Jesus is God.
Now, one wants to argue the validity of the Bible, that’s another conversation that we will not shy away from, but for the purposes of this conversation if you believe the Bible is infalliable and inspired by God it’s a contradiction to say you believe in the Bible but you disagree with Jesus being God.
