Missions
Matt 28: 16-20 Then
the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had
appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
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.
By the term
“missions,” we mean the preaching of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to
every creature. The Lord said this was
to be done by “going.” Actually, the literal
translation may be rendered “as you are going,” so it is taken for granted that
they would be going.
Some believe that
this command ceased with the apostles, so it is not incumbent upon us to carry
the gospel to every creature. This does
not seem to us to be reasonable, if for no other reason than that the record of
missions in the New Testament contradicts such a notion. Paul, Barnabus, Timothy, Titus, Silas, and
Phillip would be witnesses against such an interpretation. I would like to take a few moments to
present what we believe about missions.
First of all,
missions is to be accomplished through the proper authority. Jesus said “All power (authority) is given
to me – go ye therefore.” So we go
because Jesus has the authority. He
gave it to these apostles. He had
placed these apostles in the church:
I Cor 12:28 And God
hath set some in the church, first apostles,
The apostles
carried out their God-given ministry through the local church, and we believe
that is the way God established that it should be done. Christ loved the church and gave himself for
the church (Eph 5:25). He placed
apostles, prophets, and other gifts in the church (I Cor 12:28). And He sent missionaries out of local
churches:
Acts 13: 1-4 Now
there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as
Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen,
which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered
to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for
the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and
laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away. So they, being sent forth by
the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
There were no
“loose canons” in God’s missionary army.
They all were sent by proper authority to do the work to which the Holy
Ghost called them.
From time to
time, they would return to the sending church and let the folks at those
churches know how God had blessed their efforts.
Acts 14: 26-28 And
thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of
God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had
gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them,
and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode
long time with the disciples.
Secondly, support
for missions is the responsibility of the church and church members. No mission boards are found in
scripture. There is no organization
commissioned by the Lord to rob the church of its rightful place. If mission work is the work of the church,
and missionaries are church members, then the organizational responsibilities fall
to the churches as well.
I Cor 16: 1-3 Now
concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches
of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the
first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come,
whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your
liberality unto Jerusalem.
II Cor 8: 1-4
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of
their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were]
willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the
gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
II Cor 8: 18-19 And
we have sent with him the brother, whose praise [is] in the gospel throughout
all the churches; And not [that] only, but who was also chosen of the churches
to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of
the same Lord, and [declaration of] your ready mind:
Thirdly, we were
to go into all the world. That’s means
to our next door neighbor, our fellow worker, and our unknown fellow man on the
other side of the world. We do that by
preaching the gospel at home, and by supporting missionaries sent out by local
churches to do the work to which the Lord has called them. We believe that God’s plan is better than
man’s plan.
II Tim 2:5 And if a
man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully.
Lastly, our job
is not done when we see people saved.
We are to teach them all things.
I find it interesting that the large evangelistic organizations rent
huge stadiums and put on fantastic shows, but then leave town and tell all
their “converts” to go find a church to attend. The Lord knew nothing of such a plan. His command was to teach them to observe all things. All babes need teaching, and the Lord would
have us to teach.
In doing all
these things, we will become true soul-winners.
God Bless,
Doc Trin