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BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MISSION

 

I. The Old Testament:

 

Where does the mission starts?

Someone said: ‘Gen. 1:1 is obviously the necessary basis of the great commission of       Matt. 28: 18 – 20.  Though the word ‘mission’ is not coming in the Bible, we can note down many missionary themes. Let us look at the Old Testament:

        1.      Creation Story

        2.      Call of Abraham

        3.      Community of God’s people

        4.      Concept of God

        5.      Commissioning of God’s servants

 

1. Creation Story: (Gen. 1 – 11)

  • God has created this world. So, the whole world is His concern. It gives s a world-wide perspective. (cf. Ps. 24:1)

  • The first concern of the Bible is not with Jews or with Christians but with humanity.

  • All human beings are equally high (Image of God) and also all are equally low (sinners)

  • Mankind was created for a purpose (To fellowship with Him, worship Him and obey Him) Gen. 1:28

  • Due to the fall, consequences of sin had a tremendous effect.

  • There is a warfare between two kingdoms

  • Man wants to make a name for himself (Gen. 11:4)

“Mission is God’s concern for the whole humanity”

 

2. Call of Abraham: (Gen. 12)

In order to carry out His purposes for the world, God begins with one man.

  • God gives a new ‘name’

  • Election is an act of God’s grace. Election involves both calling and sending; both privilege and responsibility.

  • God’s call was to God Himself…. I will

  • God’s call was to mobility, …..’Go’.

  • God’s call is to universality.…..”all the families of the earth”.

"Mission is the obedience to the God’s call.”

 

3. Community of God’s people: (Ex. 19: 4 – 6)

  • A special possession (cf. Amos 3:2)

  • Kingdom of priests

  • A holy nation (To be holy is to be wholly the Lord’s)

  • Purpose is to declare His glory (Ex. 9:14, 16; Josh: 4: 23,24; I king. 8: 41 – 43; Ez. 5:5)

  • There are some unmistakable parallel between Israel of the O.T and the church of the N.T. (I Pet. 2:9)

 "God’s mission is not just individualistic"

 

4. Concept of God:

  • God of the universe, and not a territorial God.

  • God of history. ‘Every major act of God since creation is a missionary act’.

  • God of covenant…. Noah, Abraham, Moses, David

  • Know God and have a great zeal for God’s name. (cf. I Sam. 17: 45, 46)

"Mission exists to proclaim who God is"

 

5. Commissioning of God’s servants:

  • The Psalmists were concerned that God’s name should be declared. (Ps. 67: 1-2; 96: 1-3)

  • The prophets echo the concern of God’s heart for the whole earth to turn to Him. (Is. 45:22)

  • Isaiah (6: 1 – 8); Jeremiah (1:4 – 6); Amos (7: 14 – 15); Jonah.

"Mission is genuinely sharing God’s concern’

 

II. The New Testament:

The New Testament concept of mission is not unrelated to that of the old. Though they are not identical, there is a continuity, the new grows out of the old, yet there is a distinction. (Read. Gal. 3: 8,9).

  1. The Person and the work of Christ

  2. The Pentecost and the disciples

  3. Peter and Jerusalem Church

  4. Paul and Antioch Church

  5. The Patmos’ revelations.

1. The Person and Work of Christ:

Jesus is the central figure in the New Testament. The Gospel becomes the universal.

  • The manifesto (Lk. 4: 18, 19)

  • Jesus Saviour of the world (Jn. 4: 42)

  • Jesus and Gentiles (John 10:16)

  • Jesus and Kingdom (Mark 1:15)

  • Jesus’ relationship with His disciples (Mk. 3: 14, 15)

  • Cross and resurrection – the foundation for world mission.

2. Pentecost and Disciples:

  • The Church was born universal

  • The Holy Spirit fills men for power in witness (Acts 1:8)

  • The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Church for outreach (Rom. 12; I Cor. 12; Eph. 4)

  • The Holy Spirit chooses some for special outreach (Acts 13: 1,2)

  • The Holy Spirit guides men in outreach (Acts. 8, 10, 16)

3. Peter and the Jerusalem Church:

  • The New Testament Church was a missionary community (Acts 2: 42 – 47)

  • The Church leadership and team work

  • The persecution and the boldness of the members (Acts. 4: 23 – 31)

4. Paul and the Antioch Church (Acts. 13: 1f)

  • Called to be an Apostle to the gentiles

  • Prepared for missionary service

  • Strategies of Paul in missions

  • Passion for unreached people

  • Significance of prayer and God’s Word.

5. Patmos’ revelations:

  • The culmination of missions

  • The end times

  • The eternal city. (Read: Rev. 5: 9 – 14; 7: 9 – 12)

Matt: 24:14        The message     - The Gospel of the kingdom

                        The mission      - This must be preached

                        The motive       - Then the end will come

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