1 John 3:1-6 is an interesting passage. It reveals that the Father was manifested as our Savior.

1Jo 3:1-6 KJV Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ⁵ And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶ Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

This passage consistently refers to the Father as ‘He’ and ‘Him’ with no subject change. There is no change of antecedent. Each pronoun is referring to the Father.

In verse 1 the Father bestowed love upon us, and because of that we are called the sons of God. The world does not know us because it did not know the Father. There is no subject change. Verse 1 starts talking about the Father and continues talking about the Father.

1Jo 3:1 KJV Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

‘Him’ refers to the Father. Notice there is no other antecedent. Jesus is the one that came into the world and the world did not know him.

Joh 1:10-11 KJV ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. ¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

The next verse continues with the same antecedent.

1Jo 3:2 KJV Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

The subject continues with no subject change. ‘Him’ refers to the Father. Again, there is no other antecedent- no other possible pronoun for ‘Him’ to refer to. We know that Jesus is the one that will appear.

Rev 1:7 KJV Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The passage continues with no change of antecedent.

1Jo 3:3 KJV And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

The next verse continues with the same anticendent.

1Jo 3:5 KJV And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

‘He’ still refers to the Father, but we know that Jesus is the one that was manifest to take away our sins.

Joh 1:29 KJV The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

1Jo 3:6 KJV Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

When was the Father manifested? In Jesus. Jesus is God the Father manifest in flesh to save us from our sins.

1Jo 3:1-6 KJV Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. ² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ⁵ And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶ Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.