Mission of the church

The power and authority of the church’s mission

Believers are sent out by Jesus Christ

John 15:16 NKJV

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

See also Jn 4:36–38; Mt 9:37–38; Lk 10:1–3

Believers are given authority by Jesus Christ

Luke 9:1 NKJV

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

See also Mk 16:17–18; Mt 10:1; Mt 28:18; Mk 6:7; Lk 10:17–19

Believers continue Jesus Christ’s mission

John 20:21 NKJV

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

See also Jn 17:18

Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 NKJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

See also Jn 20:22; Lk 24:49; Heb 2:4; Ac 4:31

The task of the church in mission

Making disciples

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

See also Ac 14:15; Ro 10:14–15; Ac 16:14–15; Ac 18:8; Ac 2:41–42; 1 Jn 1:2–3

Preaching and healing

Luke 9:2 NKJV

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

See also Lk 9:6; Mk 16:20; Mt 10:7–8

Proclaiming the gospel

Acts 20:24 NKJV

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

See also 2 Ti 1:11; Ro 15:20; Ac 8:40; Ro 1:9

Bearing witness to Jesus Christ

Acts 5:30–32 NKJV

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

See also Lk 24:48; Ac 4:20; Jn 15:26–27

Bringing honour to God

Ephesians 3:10–11 NKJV

to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

See also Jn 15:8; 1 Pe 2:12

The universal scope of the church’s mission

Luke 24:47 NKJV

and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

See also Mk 16:15; Mt 24:14

The church reaching out in mission

To the Jews

Mt 10:5–6 The disiples’ mission began with the Jews.

See also Mt 10:9–15; Ac 11:19 The scattered believers at first preached only to Jews.

To the Samaritans

Acts 8:4–8 NKJV

Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

See also Ac 8:14–17; Ac 8:25

To the Gentiles

Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles:

Ac 9:15; Ro 11:13; Ro 15:16

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

Missions undertaken by church officials

Ac 11:22–23 Barnabas is sent to Antioch to strengthen the new church.

Paul and Barnabas take gifts to Jerusalem:

Ac 11:30; Ac 12:25

Ac 15:22–23 Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch with a letter from the apostles and elders.