Note the following clauses: a. “That which was from the beginning.” The first word in this epistle is “that” instead of “who.” Instead of saying, “Jesus Christ, who was from the beginning,” John writes, “That which was from the beginning.” The term that is broader than the word who, for it includes the person and message of Jesus Christ. The term refers to God’s revelation, namely, the gospel which, says John, “we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” The first words of this epistle echo the opening