Missions
Summary
The divinely commissioned work of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations, inherent in Christianity from its inception and exemplified by the apostles.
☩Jesus as Missionary
Christ regarded Himself as one sent by the Father. He declared: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted' (Luke 4:18-19). Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus frequently describes Himself as 'sent' (John 6:44, 57). His entire ministry was missionary in character—going about doing good and proclaiming the Kingdom.
☩The Great Commission
Before His ascension, Jesus commissioned His followers: 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark 16:15). 'Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost' (Matthew 28:19). 'Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth' (Acts 1:8).
☩Apostolic Missions
The book of Acts serves as the first missionary report in church history. Paul stands forth as the model missionary, spending his life preaching wherever he could find hearers, 'encountering perils of robbers, perils by his own countrymen, perils by the heathen, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness' (2 Corinthians 11:26). The apostles dispersed throughout the known world: Andrew to Scythia and Achaia; Philip to Asia and Phrygia; Thomas to Persia; Matthew to Ethiopia.
☩Prophetic Foundation
The missionary spirit has roots in Old Testament prophecy: 'Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people' (Psalm 96:3). Isaiah proclaimed: 'I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth' (Isaiah 49:6). Jonah's mission to Nineveh demonstrates God's concern for nations beyond Israel (Jonah 3:1-9).
☩Universal Scope
Jesus indicated the world-wide scope of missions: His disciples were to be 'the salt of the earth' and 'the light of the world' (Matthew 5:13-14). He declared: 'Many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 8:11). This gospel of the kingdom 'shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come' (Matthew 24:14).
Related Verses24 mentions
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Missions," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Missions," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).