In the Bible, missions refers to the act of spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations, as commanded in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It encompasses the church’s responsibility to evangelize and serve others, reflecting God’s love and purpose for humanity.
Scripture
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Biblical Meaning of Missions
The concept of missions in the Bible extends beyond mere evangelism; it embodies the holistic mission of God (Missio Dei) to reconcile humanity to Himself and restore creation. This is evident in the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands His followers to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The directive highlights not only the call to share the Gospel but also the necessity of nurturing believers into mature disciples who can, in turn, disciple others. This cycle of disciple-making emphasizes the church’s role as not just a receiver of grace, but a conduit of it, with a mandate that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
Moreover, missions is rooted deeply in God’s overarching narrative throughout Scripture, reflecting His heart for the nations. In Genesis 12:1-3, God’s promise to Abraham includes a promise that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” establishing an early vision for His redemptive purpose that culminates in Revelation 7:9, which depicts a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God. This reveals a future where missions is not about mere conversion, but about the transformative work of God leading to a reconciled community rooted in love, justice, and worship. Thus, the mission of the church is not merely a task but a collaboration in God’s unifying plan for humanity, inviting believers to participate in a mission that reflects divine love and the holistic promise of salvation.
Further exploration of missions within the biblical narrative reveals a consistent emphasis on God’s desire for justice and mercy in the world. The prophetic literature, particularly in books like Isaiah and Amos, underlines the importance of a mission that transcends spiritual revival alone, calling for active engagement with the marginalized and oppressed. For instance, Isaiah 58 challenges the people of Israel to express true worship through social justice and advocacy for those in need, highlighting that missions encompasses not just proclamation but also the demonstration of God’s love through compassionate action. This prophetic witness serves as a reminder that missions must involve a deep commitment to address the holistic needs of individuals and communities, aligning with God’s heart for righteousness.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul exemplifies a missions mindset that integrates both evangelism and social responsibility as he journeys through various cultures. His letters often reveal an understanding that faith in Christ calls believers to love and serve their neighbors, breaking down ethnic and social barriers (as seen in Galatians 3:28). This dual aspect of mission entails not only the announcement of the Gospel but also the embodiment of its implications through acts of love, service, and community building. The establishment of diverse churches, which reflect the inclusivity of the Gospel, serves to reinforce the understanding that missions resoundingly reveals God’s kingdom on earth, inviting diverse peoples into a transformative relationship with Him that fosters unity and peace in a fractured world. In essence, the biblical understanding of missions invites believers to live out the fullness of the Gospel, actively participating in God’s restorative work in every sphere of life.
The Call to Evangelism
Missions in the Bible fundamentally represent the call to evangelism, where believers are tasked with sharing the message of God’s love and salvation. This mission is not limited to a specific group but extends to all nations and peoples, emphasizing the universal nature of the Gospel. The act of evangelism is seen as a response to God’s grace, compelling believers to reach out to others and invite them into a relationship with Him.
The Restoration of Creation
Another broader meaning of missions in the Bible is the theme of restoration. Missions are not only about individual salvation but also about the holistic restoration of creation. This includes addressing social injustices, caring for the marginalized, and promoting peace and reconciliation. The mission reflects God’s desire to restore humanity and the world to its intended state, showcasing His love and justice in action.
The Community of Believers
Missions also highlight the importance of community within the body of Christ. The mission is not solely an individual endeavor but a collective one, where the church works together to fulfill God’s purpose. This communal aspect emphasizes the need for unity, collaboration, and support among believers as they engage in mission work, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility in advancing God’s kingdom on earth.
How to Share Faith and Live as a Better Christian
Sharing your faith and living as a better Christian is a beautiful journey that begins with genuine love and understanding. Start by nurturing your own relationship with God through prayer, scripture reading, and reflection; this will deepen your faith and equip you to share it authentically. Look for opportunities in your daily life—whether it’s a conversation with a friend, a kind gesture to a stranger, or simply living out your values in your actions. Remember, it’s not just about preaching but embodying Christ’s love and grace in everything you do. Be open and approachable, allowing your life to be a testament to the joy and hope you find in your faith. And don’t forget, it’s okay to share your struggles too; vulnerability can create powerful connections and show others that faith is a journey, not a destination. Ultimately, let your heart be your guide, and trust that God will use your efforts to touch the lives of those around you.
Bible References to the Meaning of Missions:
Mark 16:15-16: 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Luke 10:1-12: 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.
9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,
11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’
12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
John 20:21-23: 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Acts 1:6-8: 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Romans 10:13-15: 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
2 Corinthians 5:18-20: 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Ephesians 3:6-12: This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Philippians 2:14-16: 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Colossians 1:25-29: 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10: 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
2 Timothy 4:1-5: 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
1 Peter 2:9-12: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Revelation 14:6-7: 6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.
7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.