that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: The fellowship he wants them to share is one with God and Christ. Does he mean that in order to have fellowship with God, their fellowship must flow through the apostles? No, he is saying that in order for them to have fellowship with God, they must accept the testimony of the apostles concerning Jesus. Their fellowship with God depends on their accepting the truths being declared. The authority of the apostles and their message must be respected. Jesus tells His apostles, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that send me" (Luke 10:16). The full acceptance of apostolic testimony is necessary to fellowship with the Godhead. "We are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us" (1 John 4:6). Knowing God and sharing the benefits of His fellowship are determined by acceptance of "the apostle’s doctrine." The Gnostics were denying apostolic authority. Those who followed their teachings denied themselves of fellowship with God.