What is the biblical basis for Jesus' eternal pre-existence (as opposed to having been created a long time ago)? I know that many verses can be cited to argue for Jesus' pre-mortal existence (e.g. here). I'm also perfectly aware that a question asking for the biblical basis for Jesus being God incarnate has already been asked. However, I want to defend the validity of this question on the grounds of the following reasons:

Pre-mortal existence does not logically entail eternal pre-existence. In principle, if the only thing we know about a being is that it had a pre-mortal existence, then we cannot rule out a priori the possibility that that being could still have had a beginning in the past, either recently or a long time ago (e.g. see the viewpoint of Jehovah's Witnesses on the nature of Jesus).
Eternal pre-existence does not logically entail being God (or does it?). In addition to being eternal, a being needs to be omniscient, omnipotent, and many other things to be regarded as God. So I don't see the two as equivalent statements, although I acknowledge that there is a clear overlap.

Having presented my reasons for asking the question, I ask: What is the biblical basis for Jesus having eternal pre-existence? Are there passages in Scripture that strongly suggest that Jesus never had a beginning in time?
John clearly and logically makes four statements :

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. [John 1:1,2 KJV]

'In the beginning' states the moment of 'beginning'. If one existed at that moment, then that one has an existence that is independent of time. If independent of time, then eternal. This one, the Logos, is quite evidently, from context, the one born in Bethlehem of the virgin Mary.
This one is God and was with 'the' God in the beginning. Evidently, from this statement alone, Deity is not alone. And Deity is not alone eternally.
John also makes a further statement :

την ζωην την αιωνιον ητις ην προς τον πατερα  [1 John 1:2 TR Undisputed]


... the life the eternal which was with the Father  [Literal]

Again, in context, John refers to 'manifestation' and it is clear that this is Jesus.
Prior to 'manifestation' the life, the eternal ... was with the Father.
If 'with the Father' then with the Father, eternally, as 'Son'. Evidently. If entitled 'Father' in eternity, the name must mean what it says, in eternity. And if 'life' is with that Father (and that eternally) then that life must be 'Son'.
John's statement is simple, brief and utterly profound.

In these two places, John sets forth logical and indisputable statements that clearly demonstrate the eternal existence of the one who came into the world by woman.
This is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.