EM301 - Lesson 3 :A Man and a Mission for All Peoples

1.Introduction

The last lesson looked at mission in the Old Testament. This lesson will focus on the New Testament and the changes in mission we can see there.

One crucial area that needs to be explored in any discussion of mission is the uniqueness of Christ. Do we truly believe that all people need to come to God through Jesus Christ? If we don't, any view of mission will be very limited. If other religions are equally valid expressions of relationship with God, why engage in mission at all?

This is an extremely important point to clarify and believe if mission is to be effective, or in fact even regarded as necessary.

2. The Uniqueness of Christ

Many Christians today are uncomfortable with the idea that the vast majority of people who have ever lived on the earth and who have never heard of Jesus are therefore excluded from salvation. Two major positions have developed to try to solve this problem - the inclusivist position the pluralist position. The inclusivist position maintains that people can still be saved by Jesus even if they have not heard of him. The pluralist position argues that all the major religions are equally viable means of receiving salvation.

The position you take about the uniqueness of Christ and the need for people to be in relationship with him to receive salvation will have big implications for an understanding of mission.

Hopefully, you were able to answer yes to the question above. But a very important part of the question is, on what basis do we make that answer.

It is not enough to simply feel this view is correct, or that it is what other Christians believe, or that is what is we have always believed. Our conviction needs to be firmly based on the Biblical evidence.

Suggested passages to look at include: Acts 2:38-40 ; 4:12 ; 14:8-18 ; 16:31 ; 17:16-34 ; Romans 1:18-32 ; 5:18 ; 10:1-15 ; John 14:6 ; John 12:32 ; 1John 2:2 ; 1Thess 5:9 etc

If then, Jesus is the only means of salvation, mission is clearly an imperative.

Romans 10:14 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? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

3.The Mission of Jesus

In one sense the mission of Jesus is encapsulated in his whole life, death and resurrection. If mission is bringing the gospel to people, Jesus did that in everything that he did.

However, he was quite strategic in his activities.

1. He concentrated on the Jews

The Jewish people were uniquely prepared to receive and understand the message of salvation through God's designated "Anointed One" (Messiah or Christ). Though they were by no means receptive they grasped who Jesus claimed to be.

He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and covenant promises that could only be fulfilled in the context of Israel.

The Jewish people, by virtue of their Hebrew cultural and religious background, were uniquely qualified to provide a theological and leadership base for world evangelism.

2. He concentrated on a small group of disciples

Jesus focused on a few in order to adequately train them to carry on His work. He trained them to be leaders of the new movement. He sought to reproduce in them His very character and likeness.

3. He acted to bear the sins of many

His mission was to enable the salvation of humanity. His mission as a teacher and a leader always had in mind the ultimate end of the cross. Without the cross, all mission both before and after would have been without point. His death was the central point from which all mission ultimately extends.

4. He acted to show his care for the Gentiles

While Jesus made it clear that he came to the Jews first, there are many occasions in the gospels when he displays genuine concern for the Gentiles (eg Matt 8:5-13, 15:21-28 ; John 4 ; Luke 9:51-55 ; John 12:20-32). His inclusiveness was an example that was built upon by the disciples and clarified in the mission of the church.

Photo : Fishing

4. The Great Commission

Most often we think about the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 as the basis for mission in the New Testament - and it is indeed a key verse. However, it encapsulates what is found in many other places in the gospels - a concern to bring the good news that in Jesus all people can be reconciled to God.

The Great Commission however provides some clear insights into the nature of Jesus command to us to be involved in mission.

1. Based on the authority of Jesus

Jesus makes it clear that "all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me" (vs 18). It is on this basis that he sends his disciples. Mission is the natural outflowing of who Jesus is. Missions does not enthrone Jesus as King, rather, because is the King of all, his Lordship is to be proclaimed everywhere.

2. Four key elements to the mandate

1. Go

The disciples are called to cross boundaries. This often assumed to refer to geographic boundaries, but can also refer to sociological, cultural, racial or even simply personal. While mission may involve crossing cultural or geographic boundaries, it is the responsibility of the church wherever they are to be involved in mission. Mission does not exclude your neighbour.

2. Make disciples

This is the purpose - that they would make disciples - followers of Jesus. All the rest of the Great Commission is a description of how this is to occur - going, baptising, teaching.

3. Baptising and Teaching

Both are required. It is not a statement of priority or order. To make disciples one must teach and baptise. Making disciples is not a one off event, but will require on going teaching. All Christians are in a sense in the process of being discipled.

4. To all nations

It is clear that mission is not only to the Jews or one particular area. There is a mandate for mission to all people, all people groups in the world.

3. Jesus' Promise

Jesus promises to be with his disciples in the task "to the very end of the age". Mission is not something he leaves the disciples to do on their own, but he is with them, empowering and guiding them in the process. The disciples participate with him in his ongoing mission in the world.

5.The First Believers

After Jesus ascension there are a number of key events that occur that shape mission for the new church community.

1. Pentecost

Obviously, Pentecost is the key event. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples is often regarded as the birthday of the church. The manifestation of speaking in many tongues demonstrated that God intended all peoples to hear the gospel. As we read Acts - so called "The Acts of the Apostles", perhaps a better name would be the "Acts of the Holy Spirit". The Holy Spirit empowers, guides, energises and facilitates mission.

2. Persecution

Persecution may seem an odd way to promote mission, but we find that after Pentecost the disciples did not immediately go "to all peoples" but mostly remained in Jerusalem. Just as in the Old Testament when God caused the Israelites to be scattered to the nations, the persecution that started with the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7) resulted in the gospel moving out to surrounding areas. "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." (Acts 8:4) The Apostles however, remained in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1)

3. The conversion of Saul / Paul (Acts 9)

There is no doubt that the conversion of Saul was incredibly significant. He went from being a persecutor of the Jews to a missionary whose impact was felt across the Roman Empire. He was called explicitly to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

4. Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10)

A major turning point in the opening of the gospel to the Gentiles is found in Peter's call to go to Cornelius. The coming of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius and his household demonstrated clearly that the gospel is not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles as well.

5. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)

At this Council the ground breaking decision was made that Gentile believers did not need to become Jews. The way was officially open for the Gentile church.

6. The Mission of Paul

Paul 's approach to evangelism provides a great model for mission. He worked with a mobile missionary band travelling to various places. He was strategic in that he would go first to the synagogue to preach the gospel, but then also be willing to contact the Gentiles through methods familiar to them. He planted churches and equipped them for mission.

The missionary methods of Paul have much to teach us about using elements of the culture to make the gospel intelligible to those we are sharing with. His use of the altar to the unknown god (Acts 17:16-34) was a classic example of contextualising the gospel - taking something from the existing culture and using it to share the gospel.

Acknowledgement

This lesson was based on :

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Part One: Study Guide, Australasian edition, Centre for Mission Direction, Christchurch NZ : 2000

used with permission.