And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15
"As Jesus prepared to ascend and go back to be with the Father, He gave His disciples who were onlookers and uplookers what has become known among Bible-believing people as the Great Commission. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
He spoke these words first to that group of baptized believers who had followed Him throughout His earthly ministry. It is clear this three-fold commission was to be the marching orders for all His true followers in every generation until He returned to earth. Each group of baptized believers was to implement this commission by following the clear command of their Founder and Head to preach the gospel and win souls in all the world, to scripturally immerse those who were saved and then disciple them by teaching them the "all things" of Jesus. Of course, soul winning is of utmost importance. Unless souls are won it becomes impossible to fully implement the whole of the three-fold commission. But the other two parts are equally important in their place if New Testament Churches are to be planted and built up in every age.
The word mission is the central part of this three-fold commission. Biblical missions should always focus on establishing and building up local, New Testament Churches. This is clearly seen in the story of that Church at Jerusalem and the early churches, as recorded in the Book of Acts. When the Jerusalem Church suffered great persecution, they went everywhere, not only witnessing the gospel but planting and establishing New Testament Churches as well. Later, we see the great missionary, Paul, and his companions undertaking three missionary journeys, winning souls and planting and establishing New Testament Churches over most of the nearby known world at that time. He and his companions were sent out under the authority and auspices of the local New Testament Church at Antioch and were supported from time to time by other such churches.
This methodology is still the scriptural purpose and pattern of mission work today. Of course this pattern does not prohibit auxiliary organizations from participating in mission work; such as medical missions, teaching seminars, construction projects and disaster assistance. But local church supervision and participation in these efforts is desirable. Of course,to follow the scriptural pattern, missionaries should be under the authority and supervision of a local New Testament Church as well.
The Missions items shared on this site are intended to focus on endeavors involved in carrying out the Great Commission: not only to encourage others but to challenge all to greater efforts as we await our Saviour's return."
Pastor John White
