God calls and sends out his people into the world. All believers are called to share the good news of the gospel, though some are specially commissioned by God, confirmed by the church and compelled by the gospel message to missionary service.
The call to all God's people
Psalm 96:2–3 parallel 1 Chronicles 16:23–24Matthew 28:19 See also Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:8
Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
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,
Missionaries in the OT
Those sent to their own people
Isaiah 6:8–10 See also 2 Peter 2:5 Noah; Jeremiah 2:1–4 Jeremiah's ministry extended further but was primarily to his own people, Judah; Ezekiel 2:3 Ezekiel
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
Those sent to other peoples
2 Kings 17:27–28 A priest from Samaria returns to teach the resettled population about the LORD. Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47; Amos 7:15 Amos, from Judah, is sent to the northern kingdom of Israel.; Jonah 1:1–2, Jonah 3:1–2
Then the king of Assyria commanded: “Send back one of the priests you carried off from Samaria, and have him go back to live there and teach the requirements of the God of the land.” Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD.
Missionaries in the NT
John the Baptist
John 1:6–7 See also Malachi 4:5–6; Matthew 11:10 parallel Luke 7:27; Mark 1:2–4; Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3; John 1:33
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
Jesus Christ's disciples
Luke 9:1–6 Healing and deliverance accompanies preaching as part of the disciples' mission. See also Matthew 10:5–16 During Jesus Christ's earthly ministry the disciples' mission was limited to Israel; Mark 6:7–11; Luke 10:1
Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that area. If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Other believers
Acts 11:19–20 See also Acts 8:5 Philip; Acts 18:24 Apollos; Acts 26:15–18 Paul
Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Receiving the missionary call
The call given by God
Jeremiah 1:4–10 See also Matthew 4:19 Peter and Andrew; Acts 8:26 Philip; Acts 22:21 Paul
The word of the LORD came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”
The call confirmed by the church
Acts 13:2–3 See also Acts 14:26–27, Acts 15:40, Acts 22:14–15 Paul's call to be a missionary to the Gentiles is communicated through Ananias; Galatians 2:7–9 Paul's mission to the Gentiles is recognised by the other apostles.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
The call through circumstances
Acts 8:4 Persecution drove the early church to wider mission. See also Genesis 45:4–5 Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt; Daniel 1:3–6 Daniel among those taken into exile in Babylon; Acts 18:1–2 Priscilla and Aquila left Rome because of persecution.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Missionaries compelled by the message
Acts 4:18–20 See also 1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.