The gospel of John starts differently to the other gospels, by making a statement of Christ's status before he existed in this world.
John calls Jesus "the Word". This Word (logos) "was God and was with God" in the beginning. However "the Word was made flesh"(Jhn 1:1,14). Jesus is the Word by whom all life was created, and he came into the world as the only begotten Son to enlighten us all by explaining God to us (Jhn 1:3-5, 16-18).
The prologue to John's first letter also teaches this (1Jn 1:1-5). This teaching is not unique to John, however. For example consider Paul's teaching (Php 2:5-11 Col 1:13-18).
Now let us turn our attention to this wonderfully rich first chapter of John.
The Seven Threads in John 1
There are seven principles or powers woven like threads through verses 1-13. These are:
1. Creation
2. Life
3. Light
4. Darkness
5. Witness
6. World
7. New birth
Three Main Themes in John 1
The above seven threads can be summed up as three main themes of John's gospel. If you like, you can think of these themes as the three colors of the seven threads:
1. Jesus is the creator and the light of all (Jhn 8:12; Col 1:16-17)
2. He was rejected by the darkness (Jhn 1:11; Mtt 7:13-14;compare Col 1:13)
3. Those who believe the witness, receive the right to new birth (Jhn 3:1-12; 1Pet 1:23; Rom 8:12-17)
Seven Claims About Jesus in John 1
John reports the proclamation of another John, namely John the baptist who "came for a witness" of Jesus (Jhn 1:6-8). John the Baptist made seven claims about Jesus (Jhn 1:15-37).
1."He who comes after me existed before me"(Jhn 1:15,30).
John was born before Jesus, yet Jesus existed before John.
2."He has a higher rank than I"(Jhn 1:15,30).
The question of how much higher is indicated in this:
"I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal"(Jhn 1:27). Keep in mind that Jesus said John was the Elijah who was to come (Mtt 11:14 cf Mal 4:5, Lke 7:28).
The next claim, however, really shows how much higher Jesus ranked above John...
3."I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the LORD'"(Jhn 1:23 Isa 40:3).
The 'LORD' here is Jehovah [Yaweh].
John sees himself as the prophet heralding God among men.
4."Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"(Jhn 1:29,36).
John testifies to God's eternal purpose in sending His Son into the world: to be the sacrifice for sin.
5."I have beheld the Spirit descending out of heaven as a dove, and remaining upon him"(Jhn 1:32-33 Compare Lke 3:22).
John's witness is based on God's witness to his eyes and ears.
6."This is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit"(Jhn 1:33).
Who else but God could baptize with the Spirit of God?
7."And I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God"(Jhn 1:34 Compare Jhn 1:18, 1Jn 5:20).