1 John 1

That which was: Wesley hears the Word Himself, from the beginning as from eternity, matching John 1:1. The apostles have not only heard but seen and attentively beheld. The Word of life is the living Word, fountain of spiritual and eternal life with the Father and the Spirit.

Arminian confession here is shared ground: the eternal Word became handleable. This is incarnation, not a soteriology fight. The senses serve the gospel’s certainty so that life can be proclaimed to those who have not seen.

Calvin: from the beginning refers to Christ’s divinity; looking and handling refer to His human nature. The two natures constitute one person. The heaped asseverations strengthen faith, because salvation depends on the gospel’s certainty.

Reformed confession is the same Christ: always God’s invisible Word, later visible. Shared ground with Wesley on the Word made flesh. The fork, if it comes, is later; here both camps worship the manifested Life.

The life was manifested in the flesh to the senses. Wesley: they testify by declaring, preaching, and writing, to those who have not seen. The eternal life always was, and afterward appeared.

Eternal life is shown, not invented. The appearing is public enough to be seen; the writing now carries that same life to others. Joy will rest on this, not on a private spark only the apostles keep.

Calvin: the life-giving Word was manifested; Christ, who is life and the fountain of life, has been manifested, and life is openly offered in Him. He was always with the Father, even from eternity; the appearing is not novelty.

When Christ is preached, the kingdom of heaven is opened. Life was always with the Father and is now in our hands, not merely promised in types. Both camps announce the same manifested Life.

Seen and heard is declared so that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and that fellowship is with the Father and the Son. Wesley: may enjoy the same fellowship we enjoy; He in us and we in Him.

The apostolic circle is not a closed caste. The same communion is held out. Union with the Father and the Son is the end of the testimony, offered to hearers who must still receive it.

Calvin repeats seen and heard a third time so nothing is wanting as to certainty. He writes to invite them to participation of an inestimable good. We are united thereby to God and to His Son. The ungodly also have union, but without God.

Our only true happiness is to be received into God’s favor, united to Him in Christ. The apostles were adopted as brethren; John does the same with other colleagues. Shared end: one body, united to God.

These things are written so that joy may be complete. Wesley: a joy of hope, of faith, and of love; here the joy of faith is directly intended, implying the others. So our Lord also, John 15:11.

Complete joy grows from the proclaimed fellowship, not a mood. Faith’s joy can be full because the Life has been manifested and is now written. Writing is pastoral love.

Calvin: full joy expresses the complete happiness obtained through the gospel, and reminds the faithful where to fix their affections. Whoever perceives fellowship with God will be satisfied with it alone.

He has made proficiency in the gospel who esteems himself happy in communion with God and prefers it to the world. Shared pastoral aim: write so that joy is complete in Christ, not in lesser treasure.