John's first letter doesn't start out in typical fashion. There is no greeting as such, no nice introduction. He jumps right in with a strong statement about his experience as a disciple and friend of Jesus. In just a few short lines we are given John's credentials - he was a first-hand eyewitness to the life of Christ on earth. We are also told the reason for the letter - to encourage fellowship and to bring joy. Fellowship for John works along two dimensions; towards one another as believers and towards God as worshippers. When both these dimensions of fellowship are working, joy is the sure result.