Definition and Purpose:
Christian mission refers to the endeavor of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making disciples of all nations, as commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission. This mission is rooted in the belief that salvation through Jesus is available to all people and that Christians are called to share this message of hope and redemption.

Biblical Foundation:
The foundation of Christian mission is found in several key passages of Scripture. The most prominent is the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, where Jesus instructs His disciples: "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 all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" . This command underscores the global scope and enduring nature of the mission.

Another significant passage is Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells His followers, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" . This verse highlights the empowerment by the Holy Spirit for the task of witnessing and the geographical expansion of the mission.

Historical Development:
The early church took the mandate of mission seriously, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostle Paul, in particular, played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. His missionary journeys, recorded in Acts and his epistles, exemplify the commitment to preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.

Throughout history, Christian mission has taken various forms, from the monastic missions of the Middle Ages to the Protestant missionary movements of the 18th and 19th centuries. The modern missionary movement, often associated with figures like William Carey and Hudson Taylor, emphasized cross-cultural evangelism and the establishment of indigenous churches.

Theological Considerations:
Christian mission is deeply theological, rooted in the understanding of God's redemptive plan for humanity. It reflects the character of God as loving and desiring that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). The mission is also eschatological, anticipating the fulfillment of God's kingdom as described in Revelation 7:9, where a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language stands before the throne of God.

Methods and Strategies:
Mission strategies have evolved over time, adapting to cultural contexts and technological advancements. Traditional methods include preaching, teaching, and establishing churches. In recent times, there has been a focus on holistic mission, addressing physical, social, and spiritual needs. This approach is exemplified in Jesus' ministry, who healed the sick and fed the hungry while proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Challenges and Controversies:
Christian mission has faced various challenges, including cultural resistance, political opposition, and accusations of cultural imperialism. Missionaries must navigate the tension between proclaiming the Gospel and respecting local cultures. The goal is to present the Gospel in a way that is both faithful to Scripture and sensitive to cultural contexts.

Contemporary Mission:
Today, Christian mission continues to be a dynamic and diverse movement. It includes traditional missionary work, as well as new initiatives like digital evangelism and mission through business as mission (BAM). The global church is increasingly recognizing the role of non-Western missionaries, as the center of Christianity shifts to the Global South.

Conclusion:
Christian mission remains a central aspect of the church's identity and purpose, driven by the command of Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the church's commitment to making disciples of all nations.Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 10:13
There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Topicalbible.org

1248. diakonia -- service, ministry
... NASB Word Usage ministries (1), ministry (19), mission (1), preparations (1 ... eleemosynary)
aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1248.htm - 7k

The Mission of the Christian Home.
... Strip the Christian family of its mission as a nursery for the soul; wrest from
the parents their high prerogative as stewards of God; and you heathenize home ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ii the mission of.htm

Christian Lands.
... But I must talk with you a bit about our Christian lands, Europe and America, with
huge Russia sitting astride both Europe and ... For these, too, are mission lands ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/christian lands.htm

Preparation for the Mission to the Gentiles.
... In Antioch, too, the name "Christian" first appeared, which was soon everywhere
adopted, as well denoting the nature and mission as the followers of Christ ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 28 preparation for the.htm

The Widened Mission, Its Perils and Defences
... Christian heroism may be shown in not being afraid to flee quite as much as ... of Man
be come.' Is Jesus here reverting to the narrower immediate mission of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the widened mission its perils.htm

Woman's Position in the Army
... When the Christian Mission began to take form, William Booth had no particular
intentions as to the kind of helpers he was to have"either male or female. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/iii womans position in the.htm

Antioch
... Paul near Damascus by the vision of the risen Lord, or before the conversion of
Peter by the episode of Cornelius, there was already a Christian mission to the ...
/.../lake/landmarks in the history of early christianity/iii antioch.htm

Introductory
... the tone of the Epistle betokens the approach of a closing crisis for St Paul; and
that (2) it seems to indicate an already developed Christian mission work at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter i introductory.htm

The Master Rejected: the Servants Sent Forth
... Such were the prominent points of this first Christian mission. They who
carry Christ's banner in the world must be possessed of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the master rejected the servants.htm

The Christian Church
... The mission of the Christian Church is to strengthen the social bond by seeking
to cultivate all the better impulses and finer feelings in man, and to place ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ix the christian church.htm

Christ's Mission the Revelation of God's Love
... But the true Christian teaching is, 'God so loved ... that He gave.' The love is
the cause of the mission, and not the mission that which evokes the love. ...
/.../christs mission the revelation of.htm

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