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"IN THE BEGINNING..."

JOHN HAD PREVIOUSLY REFERENCED "THE BEGINNING OF CREATION" IN 69 A.D. -
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, η αρχη κτισεως tou Theou [the beginning of the creation of the God];"[Rev 3:14]

PETER HAD ALSO RAISED THE ISSUE TWO YEARS PRIOR TO JOHN'S EFFORT - 67 A.D.
"And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the αρχης κτισεως [beginning of the creation]."[II Pet 3:4]

AND MARK DID SO IN 70 A.D. -
"But from the αρχης κτισεως [beginning of creation] God made them male and female."[Mark 10:6]

"For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the αρχης κτισεως [beginning of the creation] which God created unto this time, neither shall be.[Mark 13:19]

JOHN FINALLY, IN 96 A.D. WROTE
εν αρξη ην ο λογος

96 ad - "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from [απ αρχης] the beginning. -John 15:27

96 ad - But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the [αρχης ] beginning, because I was with you. -John 16:4

Jesus was asked "who are you?" He said, "Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning." [John. 8:25] He also recognized certain of his disciples as having been with him "from the beginning." This became a qualification for the disciple who later replaced Judas among the apostles.

[John. 15:27]
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

Acts 1:21
"Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us......."

Jesus even reminds the apostles that he has discoursed with them from the beginning, "because I was with you." The "Beginning" of which Jesus spoke, was one which concerned the apostles, and disciples, very much, because whatever he meant by it, they were involved in it with him.

[John. 16:4]
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Baptism whereby John baptized Jesus is broadly recognized as the starting point of Jesus' mission. And it is also recognized as the "beginning of the gospel."

[Acts. 1:22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

John, who wrote the lines found at the beginning of the book which bears his name, was familiar with a concept of a "beginning," with which he knew all of his readers would also be familiar. By the time John penned his letters, the readers already had an understanding about the meaning of "beginning" which was consistant throughout the New Testament; if it was anything other than the "beginning" of the gospel, it was identified by modifiers.

Let us first present some of the possibilities, which might have come to the mind of the first century reader as he contemplated the writings of the men of their own day.

1. They might have understood of the beginning of which Genesis speaks; that reference to original creation. [Gen. 1:1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2. Or the beginning of Man in the Garden; Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

3. They might have understood the beginning of their calendar, as expressed in Exo 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

4. They might have understood a reference to Moses' law as contrasted with Eden's rule; Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

5. They might have understood the beginning of the Gospel. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

6.They might have understood the beginning at Jerusalem, Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

7. They might have understood Jesus' reference to the point from which his eyewitnesses could relate; John15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Luke 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

8. They might have understood the reference to suggest Paul's beginning in the work of gospel fellowship; Phil 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

9. Jesus himself identifies the "beginning" as that of the gospel. John 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

10. They might have understood the reference to be about the resurrection of which Paul wrote; Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body the church: who is the "beginning," the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

If we approach the concept approximately as it was presented, we might learn to appreciate just what it was the earliest readers understood by the concept "in the beginning."

If we understand the chronology of the New Testament writings to be in the order of:
45 A.D. James
48 A.D. Galatians .
50 A.D. 1st Thessalonians
51 A.D. 2nd Thessalonians
52 A.D. Mathew
54/55 1st Corinthians (Spring) 2nd Corinthians (Fall)
56 Romans
58 Luke
60 Colossians
60 Ephesians
60 Philemon
61 Philippians
61 Acts
64/65 1st Timothy; Titus; 1st Peter
66/67 2nd Peter
67/78 2nd Timothy
68-70 Hebrews; Revelation; Mark
75 Jude
85-90 Gospel of John; 1st John; 2nd John; 3rd John

We will better understand the development of the concept of the "beginning" of which they speak, and of which they read. And if we understand the difference between chronological order, and protocol, we can understand the differences of language.

Grk 746. arche; a commencement, first in order, time, place or rank: (dominion, principality, power, rule)

JAMES makes no reference to a "beginning" of any kind

GALATIANS: Paul makes no such reference.

I THESSALONIANS: Ignores the concept.

II THESSALONIANS: Paul references a beginning which he ties by context to the gospel, which\ alone calls people to the things delineated by paul. The earliest "call" by God was not to "salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth," but was rather a call to obedience in the garden of Eden.

II THESSALONIANS:
2 Thes 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15 Therefore brethren,
stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

"AT THE FIRST"
Luke has James setting the background for this understanding in the formative years of the church, when he declared how God "at the first" chose a people for himself, from among the Gentiles. But this clearly relates to the gospel dispensation, not to the beginning of time. Acts 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

The hebrew writer confirms this to be an understood concept among early Christians. "At the first" relates to the beginning of the gospel dispensation. Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

MATHEW:
The first reference by Mathew is to the beginning of man; Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Mathew also references this "beginning" in relation to marriage and divorce; Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

Mathew also tells us of another "beginning" which his readers understood to relate to their near future. (He tells them that these things shall come upon their generation in verse 34) Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Mathew references the beginning of the world. Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since
the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

I CORINTHIANS:
Paul speaks of establishment of authority, or priority; "arche" 1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all "rule" and all authority and power.

II CORINTHIANS: no mention

ROMANS:
"Principalities" is mentioned by Paul in Romans as a "priority" Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

LUKE:
Luke is next to declare to the reader something about a "beginning." This has to relate to the beginning of the Gospel, because nobody from among the Apostles "witnessed" the beginning of creation.Luke 1:2 Even
as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

Luke uses the word to relate to magistrates, as priority; Luke 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what
ye shall say:

And the "power" of the governor. Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

COLOSSIANS:
Paul then wrote to the church at Collosae, about priorities, "principalities" being among those listed. Col 1:16 Forby him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Paul then addresses the firstborn resurrected\ Jesus as the "beginning" or preeminent being in all the universe.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Paul says Christ is the head of priorities; "Principality" Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

And that he spoiled "principalities" or adjusted priorities. Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (NOTE: This equates with the ancient practice of kings who, upon vanquishing enemies, would lead them in chains, in a victory parade, designed to show the victor
in all the glory of victory over a vanquished foe.)

EPHESIANS:
Paul tells us of the total adjustment to priorities which was made in the overturning of "principalities" and the established hierarchy of heaven. Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come:

Paul tells us that the hierarchy of heaven looks to the church as the source of their information Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Paul says we wrestle against these "principalities" who have priority insofar as the established hierarchy of power and authority is concerned. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

PHILIPPIANS:
Paul then turns to a "beginning" which he identifies for us. Phil 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

ACTSSmileyCorners)
"Corners," or "starting places," i.e., "beginnings" is referenced; Acts 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

ACTS - PETER:
Peter testifies as to a "beginning" which is referenced in Acts 2; Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

ACTS - PAUL:
Paul uses the same word to reference what he calls "at the first." Acts 26:4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

I TIMOTHY: no reference

TITUS:
Paul tells Titus about obedience to "principalities" Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

I PETER: No reference

II PETER;
Peter references the creation "beginning" but he identifies it for us; 2Pet 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

II TIMOTHY; No reference

HEBREWS - (SEPARATE CHAPTER)

REVELATIONS:
John, in the Revelation letter, introduces the resurrected Christ as the first of a new creation of God:
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

JOHN introduces another concept for consideration in the revelation letter, but ties the "beginning" to the end, and to Alpha and Omega, and to the First and Last - Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

MARK introduces the beginning of the gospel: Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Mark identifies another "beginning" using modifiers: Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

And another type of "beginning" also using modifiers: Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

MARK again identifies the beginning of creation: Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

JUDE INTRODUCES "ARCHE" USED AS AN ORDINAL:
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their "first" estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

JOHN: Look at how John consistently references the beginning as the "beginning of the gospel." 1John 1:1 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, of the Word of life;

When John reminds some old brethren of a commandment which they had heard "from the beginning." they did not ask "What beginning?" They already knew. He then ties the "logos" and the "beginning" together.
[1. John 2:7] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is "the logos which ye have heard from the beginning."
1John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning...14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you,
young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
1John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
2John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
2John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

John follows this same pattern in his Gospel, referencing the beginning of the gospel, unless otherwise identified.

IDENTIFIES "BEGINNING" OF MIRACLES:
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL:
John 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
John 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
John 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

John consistently expresses the "beginning of the gospel" in his writings, unless he identifies a different beginning with modifiers.

This understanding of "in the beginning" does not conflict with the rest of scripture. To take the opposite position will do so.

Isaiah told the Jews a long time ago, what the logos of god was; Isa 48:3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the logos is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Paul tells us of the "personification of christ" among living men, today; Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

John it is, who puts "the beginning" and "the personification of the logos" together for us in one of the most misunderstood passages in all of scripture: [John. 1:1-3] In the beginning was the logos, and the logos was with God, and the logos was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by it; and without it was not any thing made that was made. (Note: "Made" in this verse is the same form of the same word that is used in Luke 23:12, which states, "And the same day Pilate and Herod were 'made friends' together; for before that they were at enmity between themselves." - Pilate and Herod were not "created" friends - they were changed, from enmety, to friends. That is the reference to the word "made;" something was changed from what it previously was, to a "new" thing, different in some aspect or other. this is referencing the "new creation," in which, and by which, all things were "made new." For a treatise of how Jehovah "laid the foundation" for the original creation - see chapter six; For a treatise on how Jesus "laid the foundation" for the New Creation," see chapter Seven.)

John is telling us that at the beginning of the gospel ministry of Jesus, God had an idea, a concept, which he put into motion; and that when "the people who sat in darkness, saw great light," the concept was personified in his Christ, who lived among them.

Four of the earliest translations of the New Testament bear this out in the English translation;
Tyndale - 1525; Great Bible - 1539; Geneva Bible - 1560; Bishop's Bible - 1568.

The first translation to call the logos "him" was the Rheims - 1582; followed by the King James - 1611.

And the translation has followed the doctrine ever since.

A correct translation would be - "All things became according to the logos, and without it, nothing became which has become. Even verse four "In it (the logos) was life, and the life was the light of men."