Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7900 The life of the church » 7948 mission » 7953 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 See also Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:1-3; John 4:36-38
Believers are given authority by Jesus Christ
Luke 9:1 See also Matthew 10:1; Matthew 28:18; Mark 6:7; Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19
Believers continue Jesus Christ's mission
John 20:21 See also John 17:18
Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 See also Luke 24:49; John 20:22; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 2:4
The task of the church in mission
Making disciples
Matthew 28:19-20 See also Acts 2:41-42; Acts 14:15; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 18:8; Romans 10:14-15; 1 John 1:2-3
Preaching and healing
Luke 9:2 See also Matthew 10:7-8; Mark 16:20; Luke 9:6
Proclaiming the gospel
Acts 20:24 See also Acts 8:40; Romans 1:9; Romans 15:20; 2 Timothy 1:11
Bearing witness to Jesus Christ
Acts 5:30-32 See also Luke 24:48; John 15:26-27; Acts 4:20
Bringing honour to God
Ephesians 3:10-11 See also John 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12
The universal scope of the church's mission
Luke 24:47 See also Matthew 24:14 pp Mark 13:10; Mark 16:15
The church reaching out in mission
To the Jews
Matthew 10:5-6 The disiples' mission began with the Jews. See also Matthew 10:9-15 pp Mark 6:8-11 pp Luke 9:3-5 pp Luke 10:4-12; Acts 11:19 The scattered believers at first preached only to Jews.
To the Samaritans
Acts 8:4-8 See also Acts 8:14-17,25
To the Gentiles
Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles:
Acts 9:15; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16 Acts 10:34-35 Peter preaches to Cornelius and his family; Acts 11:20-21 Scattered believers preach to the Gentiles; Acts 13:1-3 Paul begins his first missionary journey (with Barnabas); Acts 15:40-41 Paul begins his second missionary journey (with Silas); Acts 16:9-10 Paul is called to preach the gospel in Macedonia; Acts 18:23 Paul's third missionary journey; Acts 28:31 Paul preaches the gospel in Rome.
Missions undertaken by church officials
Acts 11:22-23 Barnabas is sent to Antioch to strengthen the new church.
Paul and Barnabas take gifts to Jerusalem:
Acts 11:30; Acts 12:25 Acts 15:22-23 Judas and Silas are sent to Antioch with a letter from the apostles and elders.
See also
2012 Christ, authority 2420 gospel 3212 Holy Spirit & mission 5333 healing 5622 witnesses 7027 church, purpose 7620 disciples 7724 evangelists 7739 missionaries 7754 preaching 7903 baptism 8424 evangelism
