Mission, of the church

The continuation of Jesus Christ's mission through his followers. Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit and sent out by Christ to bear witness to him and to preach, heal, teach, baptise and make disciples of all peoples.

The power and authority of the church's mission

Believers are sent out by Jesus Christ

John 15:16 See also Matthew 9:37–38; Luke 10:1–3; John 4:36–38

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will remain — so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Believers are given authority by Jesus Christ

Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases.

Believers continue Jesus Christ's mission

John 20:21 See also John 17:18

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”

Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 See also Luke 24:49; John 20:22; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 2:4

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The task of the church in mission

Making disciples

Matthew 28:19–20 See also Acts 2:41–42, Acts 14:15, Acts 16:14–15, Acts 18:8; Romans 10:14–15; 1 John 1:2–3

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Preaching and healing

Luke 9:2 See also Matthew 10:7–8; Mark 16:20; Luke 9:6

And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Proclaiming the gospel

Acts 20:24 See also Acts 8:40; Romans 1:9, Romans 15:20; 2 Timothy 1:11

But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus — the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Bearing witness to Jesus Christ

Acts 5:30–32 See also Luke 24:48; John 15:26–27; Acts 4:20

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Bringing honour to God

Ephesians 3:10–11 See also John 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12

His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The universal scope of the church's mission

Luke 24:47 See also Matthew 24:14 parallel Mark 13:10; Mark 16:15

and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

The church reaching out in mission

To the Jews

Matthew 10:5–6 The disiples' mission began with the Jews. See also Matthew 10:9–15 parallels Mark 6:8–11, Luke 9:3–5, Luke 10:4–12; Acts 11:19 The scattered believers at first preached only to Jews.

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

To the Samaritans

Acts 8:4–8 See also Acts 8:14–17, Acts 8:25

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

To the Gentiles

Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles: Acts 9:15; Romans 11:13, Romans 15:16; Acts 10:34–35 Peter preaches to Cornelius and his family; Acts 11:20–21 Scattered believers preach to the Gentiles; Acts 13:1–3 Paul begins his first missionary journey (with Barnabas); Acts 15:40–41 Paul begins his second missionary journey (with Silas); Acts 16:9–10 Paul is called to preach the gospel in Macedonia; Acts 18:23 Paul's third missionary journey; Acts 28:31 Paul preaches the gospel in Rome.

Missions undertaken by church officials

Acts 11:22–23 Barnabas is sent to Antioch to strengthen the new church.; Acts 11:30, Acts 12:25; Acts 15:22–23 Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch with a letter from the apostles and elders.