God’s Mission in Scripture
The concept of God’s mission is a central theme throughout the Bible, as it reveals God’s purpose and plan for humanity. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures depict God as a missional God actively working to redeem and restore his creation. In the book of Genesis, God’s mission began with the creation of the universe (Wright, 2010). He created all things, including humanity, with a purpose and plan.
The purpose of creation was to glorify God and to reflect his character and image. It is evident in the words of the Bible, where God says, “Let us make man in our image after our likeness” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Genesis 1:26). Thus, God’s mission from the very beginning was to create human beings who would bear his image and reflect his glory.
However, humanity’s rebellion and sin disrupted God’s mission and plan for creation. Sin brought about brokenness, death, and separation from God (Wright, 2010). Nevertheless, despite humanity’s rebellion, God did not abandon his mission.
Throughout the Old Testament, God continued to work to redeem and restore his creation. He chose Abraham and his descendants as a people through whom he would bless the nations. God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt and established a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. He sent prophets to call his people to repentance and faithfulness. These actions were part of God’s mission to restore his creation to its original purpose.
God’s mission is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus came to fulfill God’s mission by bringing salvation and redemption to humanity. He came to reconcile humanity to God, to defeat sin and death, and to establish his kingdom on earth.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which declared that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and to set the oppressed free (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Luke 4:18-19). Jesus’ entire ministry was focused on the mission of God, as he healed the sick, cast out demons, and preached the good news of the kingdom.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He commissioned His disciples to continue His mission. Jesus commanded his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Matthew 28:19-20). This Great Commission calls for all Christians to take part in God’s mission by sharing the message of salvation and guiding people to become disciples. Thus, God’s mission is the thread that runs throughout the entire Bible.
It is a missional God who created the world, who called Abraham and his descendants, who rescued his people from slavery, and who sent prophets to call his people to repentance. He is also the one who sent his son to bring salvation and who commissioned his disciples to continue his mission. The mission of God is to redeem and restore his creation, to reconcile humanity to himself, and to establish his kingdom on earth (Wright, 2010).
God’s Mission in Church History
The concept of God’s mission has been a significant motif in the history of the Christian Church. From the early church to the present day, Christians have sought to engage in God’s mission to redeem and restore His creation. In the early church, the primary focus of God’s mission was spreading the gospel to all nations.
The book of Acts records the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Samaria and eventually to the ends of the earth (Huffstutler, 2020). The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, preached the good news of salvation to Jews and Gentiles, and many were added to the church. The early church also emphasized the importance of caring for the poor and marginalized, as seen in the book of James and other writings.
The church’s primary mission during the medieval period was focused on evangelism. Monks and missionaries traveled throughout Europe, spreading the gospel and establishing churches (Huffstutler, 2020). The medieval church also strongly emphasized the care of the sick and the poor, as seen in the work of the monastic orders (Williams, 2020).
During the Reformation, the church’s mission was shaped by an emphasis on Scripture and the concept of the priesthood of all believers. The reformers emphasized the importance of preaching the gospel and making disciples, and many reformers were actively involved in mission work. The Protestant Reformation also led to the establishment of numerous new churches and denominations, which spread the gospel throughout Europe.
During the modern period, the church’s mission was shaped by the rise of global missions and the emphasis on social justice. Missionaries travelled to all corners of the globe, spreading the gospel and establishing churches. The modern period also saw the rise of social gospel movements, which emphasized the importance of caring for the poor and advocating for social justice.
In recent years, the church’s mission has been shaped by the rise of globalization and the increasing diversity of the global church. The church is becoming more diverse, with believers from every nation and culture, and this diversity is reflected in the church’s mission. Today, the church’s mission focuses on spreading the gospel to every people group and culture and caring for the poor and marginalized in every part of the world.
Throughout the church’s history, the mission of God has been at the heart of the church’s identity and purpose. The church has participated in God’s mission by spreading the gospel, making disciples, and caring for the poor and marginalized (Williams, 2020). While the methods and focus of the church’s mission have evolved, the church’s core mission remains unchanged: to participate in God’s mission to redeem and restore His creation (Wright, 2010). Christians are, therefore, called to participate in this mission and to seek to bring God’s love and grace to every corner of the world.
One of the key lessons from the history of the church’s mission is the importance of contextualization. The church has sought to share the gospel in a way that is relevant and accessible to the people it serves. This serves, which has meant adapting to local cultures, languages, and customs.
The early church, for example, spoke to the Jewish people in a way rooted in Jewish tradition, while the medieval church adapted to the feudal system of Europe. The modern church has had to adapt to globalized cultures and diverse contexts (Dearborn, 2018). However, contextualization can also be a source of tension and controversy within the church. Throughout history, numerous debates have occurred regarding the most effective way to contextualize the gospel and the extent to which compromises can be made without compromising the essential truths of the gospel.
The Reformation, for example, was, in part, a reaction against the perceived corruption and worldliness of the medieval church. Some criticized the social gospel movements of the modern period as compromising the vital message of salvation in favor of a more secular agenda. This mission has been a source of inspiration and motivation for countless Christians throughout history. Missionary heroes such as William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and Amy Carmichael have inspired generations of Christians to dedicate their lives to the gospel. Today, the church’s mission inspires and motivates believers to serve their communities, love their neighbors, and share the good news of salvation.
The Ongoing Role of Global Missions
Global missions have been a key part of the church’s mission since its inception. The early church spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, and the church has continued to send missionaries to every corner of the world ever since (Wright, 2010). Today, global missions are more important than ever as the world becomes increasingly interconnected and diverse. One of the key reasons why global missions are so important is that they enable the church to reach people who have never heard the gospel before.
There are still many parts of the world where Christianity is not widely known or accepted, and global missions are essential for sharing the gospel in these contexts. In addition to spreading the gospel, global means are essential for caring for the poor and marginalized. Many missionaries work in places where poverty, disease, and injustice are rampant, bringing much-needed resources and assistance to these communities. Missionaries work in areas such as education, healthcare, and community development, and can make a tangible difference in the lives of the people they serve.
Another reason the global mission is essential is that it helps connect the global church. Christians are part of a global community that transcends borders and cultures, and global missions enable them to connect with believers worldwide. Missionaries can learn from the churches they serve and share their own experiences and insights with other believers (Dearborn, 2018). This exchange of ideas and perspectives enriches the church and deepens people’s understanding of God’s mission in the world.
However, global missions also present some challenges and risks. Missionaries must navigate cultural differences, language barriers, and other obstacles to share the gospel and care for the poor (Dearborn, 2018). There is also the risk of persecution, as many countries are hostile to Christianity and missionaries. Missionaries must be prepared to face these challenges and adapt to the changing contexts in which they serve.
In recent years, the nature of global missions has changed in response to these challenges. There has been a shift towards more partnership-based models of missions, where missionaries work alongside local churches and organizations to accomplish their goals. This approach emphasizes mutual learning and respect, recognizing the importance of local context and knowledge. Partnership-based mission models also help mitigate the risks and challenges of global missions, as local partners can provide essential support and guidance to missionaries.
God’s Mission for the Local Church
God’s mission for the local church is a crucial topic frequently discussed within Christian circles. While global missions are essential, it is also crucial for the church to understand and engage in God’s mission at the local level. First and foremost, God’s mission for the local church is to proclaim the gospel to its surrounding community (Wright, 2010). It means that the local church should intentionally share the good news of salvation with those who do not know Jesus. It can be done through preaching, teaching, evangelism, and other forms of outreach. The local church should strive to engage with its community, foster meaningful relationships, and demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways.
In addition to proclaiming the gospel, God’s mission for the local church is to care for those in need within its community. It includes the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable (Williams, 2020). The local church should strive to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around them and work towards achieving justice and equality for all. It can be done through acts of service, advocacy, and partnering with other organizations that share the same values.
Another aspect of God’s mission for the local church is discipleship. The local church should seek to make disciples of all who come into its community. It means that the church should be intentional about helping people grow in their faith, deepen their understanding of God’s word, and live out their faith in practical ways. Discipleship can be done through small groups, mentoring relationships, Bible studies, and other forms of spiritual formation.
Furthermore, God’s mission for the local church is to be a witness to the world. The local church should strive to embody the values of the kingdom of God and demonstrate its faith in practical ways. It means that the church should be characterized by love, grace, mercy, and justice and should seek to model Christ-like behavior to those around them (Gregory, 2019). The local church should also strive to be a place of refuge and healing for those who are broken, and provide a space where people can encounter God’s love and grace.
To effectively engage in God’s mission at the local level, the local church must be rooted in prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Without the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the local church cannot effectively share the gospel, care for those in need, make disciples, or witness to the world. Prayer should be at the center of everything the local church does, and the church should intentionally create space for prayer and worship in its life together.
A critical aspect of God’s mission for the local church is the concept of missional living. Missional living is the idea that every aspect of a Christian’s life is part of God’s mission, and they are called to witness to the world in every area of their lives. The local church should seek to equip its members to live out their faith in their workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and families and intentionally share Christ’s love in practical ways.
Another key component of the role God intends for the local church is the idea of contextualization. Contextualization is adapting the gospel message to the cultural context in which it is being shared. This means that the local church should strive to understand the culture of its community and find ways to share the gospel message in a manner that is relevant and accessible to those around it (Wright, 2010). It can be achieved through cultural sensitivity, language learning, and incorporating cultural elements into worship and outreach activities.
References
Dearborn, T. (2018). Short-Term Missions Workbook: From Mission Tourists to Global Citizens. InterVarsity Press.
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. Web.
Gregory, W. K. (2019). Pope Francis’s Effort to Revitalize Catholic Mission. International Bulletin of Mission Research, 43(1), 7–19. Web.
Huffstutler, D. (2020). The Geographical Spread of the Witness of the Gospel in the Book of Acts. Religious Affections Ministries: Conservative Christianity, Worship, Culture, Aesthetics, Classical Education, Homeschooling, Family. Web.
Williams, D. R. (2020). Mission and Care for the Poor in Sydney Anglican Perspective. Mission Studies. Web.
Wright, C. J. H. (2010). The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission. Zondervan.