Missions are central to the message of the Bible. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” is the heartbeat of the Christian mission. From the early church to modern times, the Bible emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel and reaching out to those in need, near and far.
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What Does The Bible Say About missions
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore 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. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This verse is commonly known as the Great Commission, where Jesus commands his disciples to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. It emphasizes the importance of spreading the message of the Gospel and teaching others about Jesus. As Christians, this verse reminds us of our mission to share the love and truth of Christ with people from every nation, culture, and background.
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’
This verse echoes the Great Commission given by Jesus, urging believers to go into the entire world and share the good news of the Gospel to all creation. It emphasizes the universality of the Gospel message and the need for believers to actively engage in sharing it with others. As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, spreading His message of hope, redemption, and salvation to all people.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
In this verse, Jesus promises the disciples that they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses not only in their immediate surroundings but also in the broader regions and even to the ends of the earth. This verse highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to share the message of Christ and the importance of taking the Gospel to every corner of the world.
Romans 10:14-15
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
These verses highlight the crucial role of messengers and missionaries in the spread of the Gospel. It emphasizes that if people are to believe in Jesus, they first need to hear about Him. This verse underscores the importance of Christians being sent out to share the good news of salvation, as those who bring the message are considered beautiful in God’s eyes.
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
This verse emphasizes the concept of multiplication in missions. It encourages believers to pass on what they have learned to others who will, in turn, teach others. This process ensures the continuity of the Gospel message and the equipping of future generations to carry on the mission of making disciples. As Christians, we are called to invest in the lives of others and raise up faithful leaders who will continue to teach and share the message of Christ.
Luke 10:2
“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”
In this verse, Jesus highlights the need for more workers in the field of missions. He compares the spiritual harvest to a plentiful crop but acknowledges the scarcity of workers to bring it in. This verse urges believers to pray for more laborers to be sent into the mission field and take part in the work of spreading the Gospel. As Christians, we should pray for God to raise up more missionaries, evangelists, and servants who will go where He sends them to bring in the harvest of souls.
Isaiah 6:8
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”
These words from the prophet Isaiah express a heart of willingness and obedience to be sent by God into the mission field. Isaiah responds to God’s call by offering himself to be sent as a messenger. This verse encourages believers to have a similar willingness to respond to God’s call and be available for His purposes. It emphasizes the importance of surrendering our own plans and desires to God, allowing Him to use us for His work in reaching the lost.
Psalms 96:3
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
This verse highlights the need to declare the glory of God among the nations and make known His marvelous deeds to all peoples. It reflects the heart of missions, which is to proclaim the greatness of God and the wonders He has done. As believers, we are called to share our testimonies and declare the works of God in our lives, both locally and globally, so that others may come to know and worship Him.
Romans 15:20
“It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.”
In this verse, the Apostle Paul expresses his ambition to preach the Gospel in places where Christ had not been proclaimed before. It reveals his passion for reaching the unreached and emphasizes the importance of expanding the reach of the Gospel beyond areas where it has already been established. This verse challenges believers to have a similar ambition to go where the name of Jesus is not yet known and make Him known to those who have not yet heard.
3 John 1:8
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”
This verse underscores the importance of hospitality in missions. It encourages believers to show kindness, support, and generosity to those who are engaged in the work of spreading the truth. By extending hospitality, we can work together in unity with missionaries, supporting them practically and spiritually in their mission to share the Gospel. Hospitality plays a vital role in creating an atmosphere of love, trust, and collaboration in the mission field.
Matthew 9:37-38
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”
This verse echoes a similar sentiment expressed in Luke 10:2, highlighting the abundance of souls ready to be reached but the scarcity of workers to bring in the harvest. It emphasizes the need for fervent prayer, asking the Lord to send forth workers who will labor in His harvest field. As believers, we are called not only to actively engage in the work ourselves but also to intercede for God to raise up more laborers for the expansion of His Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23
“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
In these verses, the Apostle Paul provides insight into his approach to missions, emphasizing his willingness to adapt and relate to people from different backgrounds and cultures. Paul’s primary motivation is the salvation of souls and the advancement of the Gospel. This verse challenges us to adopt a similar mindset, being flexible and culturally sensitive as we seek to effectively communicate the message of Christ to diverse audiences.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
In this verse, God encourages Joshua as he prepares to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. It reminds us that as we embark on missions, we need to be strong and courageous, trusting in God’s presence and guidance. Fear and discouragement may arise as we face challenges and uncertainties, but we can take comfort in the assurance that God is with us wherever we go. This verse serves as a source of encouragement and motivation for believers engaging in the mission field.
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
These words from the Apostle Paul express his unwavering confidence in the power of the Gospel. He declares that he is not ashamed of it, recognizing its ability to bring salvation to all who believe. This verse reminds us that the Gospel is the dynamic force that transforms lives, crosses cultural barriers, and offers hope to humanity. As believers, we should boldly proclaim the Gospel, knowing that it has the power to reconcile people to God and bring them into a life-changing relationship with Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:5
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
This verse, written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, encompasses important aspects of a missionary’s calling. It advises believers to remain composed and steadfast in the face of challenges, endure hardships, actively engage in evangelism, and faithfully fulfill the responsibilities of their ministry. This verse serves as a reminder that the work of spreading the Gospel requires perseverance, resilience, and a whole-hearted commitment to the task at hand.
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
These words of Jesus point to the completion of the Great Commission as a precursor to the end times. It reaffirms the global scope of the Gospel and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. This verse highlights the urgency of carrying out the mission of preaching the Gospel to every nation, knowing that it is a vital part of God’s plan to bring about the ultimate culmination of history. As believers, we are called to actively participate in this mission, fueling our passion for reaching the lost.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
These words of encouragement from the Apostle Paul remind us not to lose heart in the work of missions. It acknowledges that there may be seasons of weariness and challenges, but it encourages us to persist in doing good and not giving up. This verse assures us that our labor in the mission field, whether through evangelism, discipleship, or humanitarian efforts, will bear fruit in due course. It serves as a reminder to press on, relying on God’s strength and trusting in His faithfulness.
Colossians 1:28-29
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
In these verses, the Apostle Paul describes his commitment to proclaiming Christ and diligently working to present everyone mature in Him. It highlights the importance of both teaching and admonishing believers, equipping them to grow in their faith. This verse reminds us that missions involve nurturing and discipling those who respond to the Gospel, not simply evangelism. As part of the Great Commission, it is our responsibility to help people become fully mature disciples of Christ, witnessing the transformative power of His work in their lives.
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
This verse calls believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices to God. It serves as a reminder that missions require whole-hearted dedication and surrender to God’s will. Offering our bodies as living sacrifices means giving our lives completely to God, allowing Him to use us for His purposes, and submitting to His leading in the mission field. It challenges us to lay aside our own desires, comfort, and convenience in order to fulfill the calling God has placed upon our lives.
Psalm 67:2-4
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.”
These verses express a prayer for God’s blessings and favor upon His people. It recognizes that God’s blessings are not solely for the benefit of believers but are meant to bring about the knowledge of His ways and salvation among all nations. This passage highlights the connection between God’s blessings and the proclamation of His goodness to the nations. As believers, we should seek God’s favor not only for our own sake but also for the sake of making Him known and drawing people from all nations to praise and worship Him.
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
In this verse, the Apostle Paul describes believers as ambassadors for Christ. It emphasizes the responsibility and privilege of representing God and His Kingdom to a world in need of reconciliation with Him. As ambassadors, our words and actions should reflect God’s love and truth, calling others to be reconciled to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. This verse reminds us that missions involve not only sharing the Gospel but also embodying the message we proclaim.
Psalm 96:3
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
This verse calls believers to declare the glory of God among the nations and make known His marvelous deeds to all peoples. It encourages us to share the stories of God’s faithfulness and the ways He has worked in our lives so that others may come to know and worship Him. As Christians, we have a responsibility to proclaim the greatness of our God and testify to His goodness, both in our local communities and in the nations beyond. By doing so, we play a part in fulfilling His plan of redemption for all peoples.
Philippians 2:10-11
“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
These verses highlight the ultimate goal of missions and the proclamation of the Gospel—that every knee will bow and every tongue will acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. It reveals the universal authority and lordship of Jesus, and the day when all creation will acknowledge Him as such. As we engage in missions, we participate in the work of bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus, paving the way for the fulfillment of this prophecy. It is a profound reminder of the significance and impact of the task to which we are called.