Mission of the church

The power and authority of the church’s mission

Believers are sent out by Jesus Christ

John 15:16 KJV 1900

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it 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 KJV 1900

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure 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 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

See also Jn 17:18

Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost 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 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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 KJV 1900

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

See also Mt 10:7–8; Mk 16:20; Lk 9:6

Proclaiming the gospel

Acts 20:24 KJV 1900

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify 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 KJV 1900

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

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

Bringing honour to God

Ephesians 3:10–11 KJV 1900

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed 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 KJV 1900

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at 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 KJV 1900

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were 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.