How does Titus 1:3 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Shared Divine Mandate • Titus 1:3 — “and in His own time He has revealed His word in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.” • Matthew 28:19-20 — “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” • Both passages emphasize a direct command from God to spread His revealed word. • Paul’s “proclamation entrusted to me” echoes Jesus’ “make disciples,” showing the same divine initiative behind both callings. The Centrality of Proclamation • Paul: gospel “revealed… in the proclamation.” • Jesus: “teaching them to observe.” • Each centers on verbal transmission of truth—faith comes “by hearing” (Romans 10:17). • The method is not optional; God has chosen preaching and teaching as the primary vehicle for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:21). Universal Scope: All Peoples, All Times • “In His own time” (Titus 1:3) signals God’s timetable for unveiling the gospel to the world. • “All nations” (Matthew 28:19) defines the breadth of that unveiling. • Acts 1:8 ties the two: “you will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” • God’s plan spans eras and ethnicities, uniting Paul’s ministry with the church’s ongoing mission. Authority and Empowerment • Titus: “by the command of God our Savior.” • Matthew: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me… I am with you always.” • Same chain of authority—God commands, His servants obey, Christ empowers. • The presence of Christ guarantees success; the command guarantees obligation. One Message, One Gospel • Titus 1:2-3 speaks of “the hope of eternal life… promised before time began.” • Matthew 28:20 calls for teaching “all that I have commanded.” • Galatians 1:8 warns against “a different gospel.” • Whether preached by Paul or by modern disciples, the content remains unchanged: salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Practical Takeaways • Embrace the entrustment: if Paul received a trust, so do we (2 Timothy 2:2). • Speak with confidence: God’s command authorizes our witness. • Stay faithful to the original message: no alterations, additions, or subtractions. • Remember the timeline: we live in “His own time,” divinely appointed for our generation to fulfill the Great Commission. |
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