Publisher's Synopsis
Of all the first-century disciples of Jesus Christ, John the son of Zebedee proved to be as effective as any Christian leader the world has ever known. Certainly, his tenure of effective Christian leadership was as great as any of the others, since he was the last of them to see his Lord face-to-face. It is his first epistolary words that appear a most appropriate conclusion to this work, since the goal of his witness is the goal of the witness of all effective Christian leaders in any church in any time - JOY! 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, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full
