That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. John states the purpose of apostolic proclamation: to bring believers into fellowship (koinōnia, κοινωνία) with the apostles and, through them, with the Father and Son. This word denotes partnership, communion, sharing in common—used for the early church's communal life (Acts 2:42) and participation in Christ's body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16).
The structure is significant: fellowship with the apostles leads to fellowship with God. This is not elitism but recognition that the apostolic witness to Christ is the divinely appointed means of entering relationship with God. We cannot have true fellowship with the Father except through the apostolically testified Christ.
"Jesus Christ" explicitly names the historical person who is the Son. Fellowship with God is mediated through the incarnate, crucified, and risen Jesus—not through mystical experiences, human philosophy, or religious rituals divorced from Him. The order "Father...Son" reflects the economic Trinity: the Father sends, the Son is sent and reveals the Father.
Historical Context
The concept of fellowship (koinōnia) was countercultural in the Roman Empire's hierarchical society. While Greek philosophical schools had exclusive fellowships and mystery religions promised participation in divine secrets, Christianity offered fellowship with God Himself through Christ—available not to intellectual or social elites but to all who believe the apostolic testimony.
The Gnostic teachers claimed superior fellowship with the divine through secret knowledge. They despised the apostolic testimony as elementary, suitable only for spiritual novices. John's response is devastating: there is no fellowship with God apart from the apostolically testified Jesus Christ. Those who reject this testimony, regardless of their claimed spiritual experiences, have no fellowship with the Father.
The early church understood this verse as establishing the authority of apostolic tradition. The Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed echo this emphasis—faith must align with what "we have seen and heard." Heresy was defined as departure from apostolic teaching.
Questions for Reflection
How does understanding fellowship with God as the purpose of apostolic proclamation shape your view of Scripture's authority?
In what ways might you be tempted to seek fellowship with God apart from the apostolically testified Christ?
How should the connection between fellowship with God and fellowship with believers affect your church commitment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. John states the purpose of apostolic proclamation: to bring believers into fellowship (koinōnia, κοινωνία) with the apostles and, through them, with the Father and Son. This word denotes partnership, communion, sharing in common—used for the early church's communal life (Acts 2:42) and participation in Christ's body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16).
The structure is significant: fellowship with the apostles leads to fellowship with God. This is not elitism but recognition that the apostolic witness to Christ is the divinely appointed means of entering relationship with God. We cannot have true fellowship with the Father except through the apostolically testified Christ.
"Jesus Christ" explicitly names the historical person who is the Son. Fellowship with God is mediated through the incarnate, crucified, and risen Jesus—not through mystical experiences, human philosophy, or religious rituals divorced from Him. The order "Father...Son" reflects the economic Trinity: the Father sends, the Son is sent and reveals the Father.