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 NASB95

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

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

Believers are given authority by Jesus Christ

Luke 9:1 NASB95

And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

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

Believers continue Jesus Christ’s mission

John 20:21 NASB95

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with 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 NASB95

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

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

The task of the church in mission

Making disciples

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

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

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

Preaching and healing

Luke 9:2 NASB95

And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

See also Mt 10:7–8; Mk 16:20; Lk 9:6

Proclaiming the gospel

Acts 20:24 NASB95

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

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

Bearing witness to Jesus Christ

Acts 5:30–32 NASB95

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

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

Bringing honour to God

Ephesians 3:10–11 NASB95

so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out 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 NASB95

and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

See also Mt 24:14; Mk 16:15

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 NASB95

Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing 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.