How does 1 John 1:3 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Fellowship: The Heart of John’s Witness (1 John 1:3) “What we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” • John proclaims what he personally “seen and heard,” grounding the message in historical fact. • Goal: invite readers into a shared life—horizontal (with believers) and vertical (with the Father and the Son). • The gospel is not merely information; it is an invitation to relationship. The Great Commission Summarized (Matthew 28:19-20) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” • Command: “Go … make disciples.” • Method: baptize into the one Triune name and teach obedient living. • Promise: Jesus’ abiding presence empowers the task. Connections Between the Two Passages • Same Triune Focus – 1 John 1:3 highlights fellowship “with the Father and with His Son.” – Matthew 28:19 names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in baptism. – Both elevate relationship with the triune God as the essence of salvation. • Proclamation Leads to Participation – John’s “we proclaim … so that you may have fellowship” parallels Jesus’ “make disciples … baptizing … teaching.” – Mission is fulfilled when hearers enter shared life with God and His people. • Eyewitness Testimony Fuels Global Mission – 1 John 1:1-3 records firsthand experience; Acts 1:8 commands Spirit-empowered witness “to the ends of the earth.” – Personal encounter (John) becomes universal mandate (Matthew). • Ongoing Teaching & Obedience – Matthew 28:20: “teaching them to observe.” – 1 John 2:3-5: knowing God is verified by keeping His commandments. – Both affirm that real fellowship expresses itself in obedient discipleship. Supporting Texts That Tie the Themes Together • John 17:21-23 — Jesus prays that believers “may all be one … so that the world may believe.” • Acts 2:42-47 — The first converts live in apostolic teaching and fellowship, embodying both passages. • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 — Believers become “ambassadors for Christ,” inviting reconciliation. • 1 Peter 2:9 — A royal priesthood “proclaiming the excellencies” that brought them into His light. Practical Implications for Today • Share what you personally know of Christ; authenticity attracts others to fellowship. • Measure mission success not merely by numbers but by genuine participation in the life of the Triune God. • Baptism and teaching remain inseparable; invite, then disciple. • Cultivate church community that reflects the fellowship it proclaims, making the gospel visible. |
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