The concept of all Christians serving as missionaries and faithful stewards is deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament. This idea emphasizes the responsibility of every believer to spread the Gospel and manage the resources and gifts entrusted to them by God.

The Great Commission

The foundation for Christians acting as missionaries is found in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to spread the Gospel to all nations. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "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." This directive is not limited to a select few but is a call to all believers to participate in the mission of evangelism and discipleship.

Ambassadors for Christ

The Apostle Paul reinforces the missionary role of Christians by describing them as ambassadors for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 , Paul writes, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God." As ambassadors, Christians are representatives of Christ, tasked with the responsibility of sharing the message of reconciliation with the world.

Faithful Stewards

In addition to being missionaries, Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the resources and gifts God has given them. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the importance of stewardship. The master entrusts his servants with talents, expecting them to invest and multiply what they have received. This parable underscores the expectation that believers will use their abilities and resources to further God's kingdom.

1 Peter 4:10 further emphasizes this responsibility: "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." This passage highlights the diversity of gifts among believers and the call to use these gifts in service to others, thereby advancing the mission of the Church.

The Role of the Church

The Church plays a crucial role in equipping and sending believers as missionaries and stewards. Ephesians 4:11-12 states, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." The Church is tasked with preparing its members for service, ensuring they are equipped to fulfill their roles as missionaries and stewards.

Living Out the Mission

Living as missionaries and faithful stewards requires a commitment to the teachings of Christ and a willingness to act upon them. Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation enables Christians to discern and carry out God's will, which includes the call to mission and stewardship.

In summary, the call for all Christians to be missionaries and faithful stewards is a central theme in the New Testament. It is a call to actively participate in the spread of the Gospel and to responsibly manage the gifts and resources God has provided, all for the glory of His kingdom.1 Peter 4:10,11
As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Christian Stewardship.
... the greater part of large capitals should be made ... Their example is brilliant all
over with true wisdom. ... Christians are not faithful stewards, merely when they ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter ii christian stewardship.htm

General Conference of 1824
... which, as Methodists and as Christians, ye do ... learning, your committee have obtained
all the information ... for every missionary station, men should be selected ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm

An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ...
... you look them in the face, you should break forth ... So shall it appear to ourselves
and all men that ... again constrained to say, See how these Christians love one ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of.htm

An Account of the Several Annual Conferences, and of the General ...
... in the Scriptures," "full of faith and the Holy Ghost," and "needed not that any
one should teach them ... But as all orthodox Christians acknowledge the ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of 2.htm

A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life
... not probably true that the selfishness of Christians is the ... about that; but he proposes
that we should, at least ... much by the general consent of you all, and yet ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a heavenly pattern for our.htm

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
... poor."I have so fully dwelt on this, because Christians in business ... May the Christian
reader be encouraged by this, should his prayers ... But this was not all. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/the hearts desire given to.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... represented not one fourth of the Christians in the ... opposition to the declared intention
of all our civil ... of the nationality of its character, should have led ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... mission, it is necessary that they should know something ... them and their children
to all the miseries ... know something more respecting the God of the Christians. ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

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