The Centrality of Christology for Joyful Fellowship

Joy is one fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in the born again (Gal 5:22; Jn 3:1–8). There is joy produced in the soul of Christians, who spiritually mature via the grace of God (2 Pet 3:18). In a world of false religions, doctrines of demons, and lies abounding in every subject, the Christian delights in the Word of truth that brings life — new, abundant, and eternal (Jn 10:10; 2 Cor 5:17; 1 Jn 5:13).

The Apostle John opens his first epistle with high Christology, as he did his Gospel and the Apocalypse. This is significant because for Christians to have fellowship with one another, we must have unity at some level. John does not settle for less than a correct view of the doctrine of Christ. In other words, our joy in community depends on a proper view of the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

The similarities between these three writings helps us to see John as the author. In each book (Jn 1; 1 Jn 1; Rev 1), Christ is immediately front and center. Jesus is the Word of God, enfleshed (Jn 1:14); and the written Word of God, the Holy Bible, has Him as the central figure. Simply put, the Scripture is about Jesus, who Himself validated the Old Testament as the authoritative Word. It is the Old Testament, as the authoritative Word, that prophesies of Jesus’ advents, sufferings, victory, righteous reign, judgment of all, eternal kingdom, et al.

It is the Old Testament that prophesies of the coming Messiah. As we see Jesus of Nazareth fulfilling those prophetic words, it is a joy that bolsters our faith and our fellowship with God and other believers.

As we do theology in community, we learn Christ, together. The same indwelling Spirit who teaches one individual the Bible — is the Spirit who teaches our whole community of faith. This is the Spirit of Christ, who is also referred to as the Spirit of truth, who guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13).

Our Christian faith is anchored in the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph 4:21; Jude 3). If we love others, we speak this truth to them (Eph 4:15); just as God so loved us by sending His incarnate Word to His chosen people. “We heard Him.” We saw Him.” “We beheld Him with our hands.” These are the eyewitness statements from the community that referred to Jesus Himself as the “Word of life” (1 Jn 1:1).

Elsewhere, John wrote that the life-giving Spirit gave God’s people life by the implanted Word they heard preached to them (Jn 5:21; 6:63; see also Job 33:4; Rom 4:17; 2 Cor 3:6; Jas 1:21). They heard the Word and this gave them faith in Christ (Rom 10:17). The Word of God is always a Word sent down from heaven — be it Jesus, the Son of God in the flesh (Jn 1:14); or Jesus in the Spirit sent to our hearts (Jn 14:17, 26; 15:26; 2 Cor 5:5; Gal 2:20). Jesus Christ is the Word of life revealed to whom God wills to reveal Him.

The essence of experiential Christianity is life in the Spirit (Gal 5:16). This is the life of God in the soul of man, whereby it is no longer the person who lives but Christ living in each of the born again. This commences the life of faith (Gal 2:20). It is also the essential aspect of Christian fellowship. The unity of the Trinity is now reflected in our union with Christ. He lives in us by His Spirit; and by His Spirit we are in Him. Later, in 1 John, the Apostle writes that he who has the Son (living in him) has the life (1 Jn 5:12).

Fellowship with the living God is our most important relationship. We talk to God (prayer). We listen to God (Word of God preached). We also listen to other Christians share their testimonies of intimate relationship happenings with the Triune God. Joy fills our hearts as the Spirit confirms to us that we are the children of God who experience God in similar ways (1 Jn 3:1, 10). Our shared Christian experience is priceless to us. We are not alone in our faith.

When we proclaim Christ from the Scriptures, we have the glue that binds us together. It is also the means by which God adds members to Christ’s church. Despite great diversity in the body of Christ worldwide and across history, there is a unity in the Spirit shared only by those born again of God.

The Word is proclaimed to all people without distinction; but not all people are brought to spiritual life by the Spirit/Word. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17); but the Spirit finds each elect soul, causing that one to be born again and taking up permanent residence inside that one’s soul (heart and mind). The Spirit then does His work of sanctification (make each saint holy in conformity to the image of Christ), before glorifying each saint, at the time of the resurrection of the dead, at Christ’s second coming (Jn 5:28–29; Rom 8:30; 1 Thess 4:13–5:11).

The natural man has no will, nor ability to do that which is pleasing to God (Jn 1:12–13; Rom 8:7). Therefore, it must be the will of God and the work of God to make salvation a reality for one of God’s elect. It is God’s promise, in His Word, to give life to whom He wills to do so (Jn 5:21). He chose us in Christ from before the foundation of the world (Dt 7:6; Ps 65:4; Mt 24:22, 31; Mk 13:20, 27; Jn 13:18; Acts 9:15; 13:48; Rom 8:33; 9:11–13; 11:5–7; Eph 1:4–5, 11; Col 3:12; 1 Thess 1:4; 2 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 2:10; Titus 1:1–2; 1 Pet 1:2; 2:6–9; 5:13; 2 Pet 1:10; 2 Jn 1:1; Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27.

In summary, we have received the Word of life revealed to us (Jn 1:12–13). We have fellowship with one another (1 Jn 1:7) because we share in the fellowship with the Holy Spirit given to us (Rom 5:5; 1 Jn 4:13). We proclaim Him, that is, the Word of God who is life (Jn 14:6; Col 1:28), so that the unregenerate elect will also hear, believe, and join our fellowship of joy.

By His Spirit, we believe the Word and the testimony of others who also believe in the same way we do. Each believer’s faith, hope, and love are in Christ. Here is our present joy and fellowship…a foretaste of heaven’s perfect joy and fellowship…when we will see Jesus face-to-face, hear His voice say to us, “Well done, good and faithful slave,” and embrace Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 14, 2023

1 John 1:1–4