Missions isn’t just a program in the church; it’s baked right into the core of Christianity and God’s entire plan for humanity.
The Bible, from start to finish, speaks to God’s mission to draw all people to Himself. This article is going to dive into the biblical basis for missions, pulling verses from both the Old and New Testaments to show you what God’s Word says.
We will unpack what “missions” really means when you look at it through the lens of Scripture, and we’ll look at some key scriptures that show God’s heart for all nations and people. Our goal is to help you get a deeper understanding of, and commitment to, fulfilling the Great Commission.
God’s Heart for the Nations in the Old Testament
Even in the Old Testament, we see God’s desire to bring all people into a relationship with Himself.
God’s Covenant with Abraham
In Genesis 12:1-3, God lays out His plan to bless all nations through Abraham’s descendants:
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
This foundational promise shows God’s global intentions from the very beginning. He planned to bless all nations even before the nations themselves existed.
Israel as a Light to the Nations
God didn’t choose Israel for their own sake alone. He chose them to be a light, shining His love and truth to the surrounding Gentile nations.
Isaiah 49:6 says, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Israel was meant to be a conduit of God’s message and a demonstration of His character.
Other Old Testament passages, such as Psalm 22:27 (“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him”) and 1 Chronicles 16:24 (“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples”) also reveal God’s global vision.
Isaiah 25:1 proclaims, “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” This verse highlights God’s faithfulness to His pre-ordained plans for all nations.
The Great Commission and the New Testament Vision
The New Testament is full of passages that inspire and instruct Christians about missions. Here are a few of the most well-known and important.
The Authority and Command of Jesus
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives what’s become known as the Great Commission, a central mandate for missions:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
This passage emphasizes the authority of Jesus and the scope of the mission, which is to reach “all nations.” The Great Commission isn’t just about conversion, though; it’s about making disciples.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to fulfill the Great Commission:
“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.”
The Holy Spirit equips believers to be witnesses and extends the reach of the Gospel geographically and culturally.
Jesus Prays for Unity
In John 17:18-21, Jesus speaks to the importance of unity among believers so that the world will believe:
“…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Unity among believers is a powerful testament to the truth of the Gospel.
Key Themes and Principles for Missions
As you read through the Bible, you’ll find a few recurring themes when it comes to missions.
Salvation for All
God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
Second Peter 3:9 says that God is patient. “He is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This verse shows how much God loves us and wants to show mercy to everyone.
God’s mission is for all people to come back to Him.
The Urgency of the Gospel
Romans 10:13-15 makes it clear that we have to preach the Gospel so people can believe and be saved.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” the passage says.
But how can they call on the one they haven’t believed in? And how can they believe in the one they haven’t heard about? And how can they hear if no one is preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
A Vision of Global Worship
Revelation 7:9-10 gives us a peek at what God’s mission will ultimately accomplish: a huge crowd of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and the Lamb, worshiping God.
This vision shows us that God wants to save people from all over the world.
It proves that God wants everyone to experience His salvation.
So, what does this mean for us?
If you’re a believer, you’re being called to participate in God’s mission. That can look like a lot of different things: praying for missionaries, giving financially to support their work, going on short-term trips, or sending people to the field long-term.
Every believer has a unique role in advancing God’s kingdom. We should ask God to show us how we can best contribute, using the gifts, talents, and resources He’s given us. Some people are great at raising money. Others are gifted teachers. Still others are called to pack up their lives and move across the world.
But even if you’re not called to travel, you can still live as a witness in your daily life. Sharing the Gospel through our words and actions is a powerful way to impact the people around us. Your mission field might be your workplace, your neighborhood, or your family.
Final Thoughts
The Bible shows us a God who is always reaching out to people from every corner of the earth. From the very beginning to the very end, Scripture emphasizes God’s deep love for the whole world.
As followers of Christ, we’re invited to be part of this incredible story. By embracing God’s global vision and getting involved in missions, we can help make his dream a reality: bringing salvation and reconciliation to all people.
May we be faithful to that call, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and committed to making disciples of all nations.