The concept of all Christians serving as missionaries and disciples is deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament. This idea emphasizes the responsibility of every believer to actively participate in the Great Commission, spreading the Gospel and making disciples of all nations.

Biblical Foundation

The mandate for Christians to act as missionaries is most explicitly stated in the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20 : "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 passage underscores the universal call to evangelism and discipleship, extending beyond the original apostles to all followers of Christ.

In Acts 1:8 , Jesus further instructs 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 of believers through the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Christ's resurrection and teachings, reinforcing the missionary role of every Christian.

The Role of Discipleship

Discipleship is a central aspect of the Christian life, involving both learning from Christ and teaching others. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This love is a distinguishing mark of discipleship and serves as a powerful testimony to the world.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of discipleship in 2 Timothy 2:2 : "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." Here, Paul outlines a model of multiplication, where teaching and discipleship are passed down through generations of believers.

The Priesthood of All Believers

The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, as articulated in 1 Peter 2:9 , supports the idea that every Christian has a role in God's mission: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This passage affirms that all Christians are called to proclaim the Gospel and serve as representatives of God's kingdom.

Practical Implications

The call for all Christians to be missionaries and disciples has practical implications for daily life. Believers are encouraged to share their faith in their immediate contexts—within families, workplaces, and communities—while also supporting global missions. This can involve personal evangelism, participating in church outreach programs, and supporting missionaries through prayer and financial contributions.

In Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul describes the diverse roles within the church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, "to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." This equipping is essential for believers to effectively fulfill their missionary calling.

Conclusion

The call for all Christians to be missionaries and disciples is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to share the Gospel and make disciples, fulfilling the Great Commission in their unique contexts and capacities.Luke 19:37,38
And when he was come near, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Native Christians (Continued).
... and utterly worthless." I should not at all wonder if ... by missionaries than that their
people should maintain themselves ... by a band of native Christians, he has ...
/.../chapter xxvii native christians continued.htm

Import of the Great Commission.
... of moral sublimity that earth has not seen"all the elements ... of effort to the apostles
and primitive Christians, might excite ... Such a result I should deplore. ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter vii import of the.htm

The True Spirit of Missions.
... madness and vile degradation of a people, should be to ... O, when shall it be, that
Christians and ministers of ... of Christ within them, and exert all their powers ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter i the true spirit.htm

The Power of Little Things.
... a mission in the world. If we are true Christians we should
all be missionaries. Christ came down from heaven ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter vi the power of.htm

Raymond Lull.
... order to be able to labour as missionaries amongst the ... O Heavenly Father, Father
of all ages ... such, it is surely reasonable that Christians should ever remember ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/raymond lull.htm

Good Friday
... may be fulfilled, not only in us and all Christians, but in ... try to think of Christ's
death as we should if He ... mercy, in His own good time, upon all Jews, Turks ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon ix good friday.htm

The Birth of England's Foreign Missions
... After all, as has been already observed, I greatly ... No wonder if the imprudence of
sailors should prompt them to ... on account of the vices of nominal Christians. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ii the birth of.htm

Jesus --"All Blessing and all Blest"
... If you want to be philanthropists, be Christians. ... your fellow-men with the best of
all blessings, convey ... Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/jesusall blessing and all blest.htm

Claim of Missions on Ministers of Influence.
... The great body of professed Christians are becoming luxurious in ... Let pastors, like
the apostles, go into all the world ... Then we should hear no more of schools ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter vi claim of missions.htm

The Gospel in Samaria
... All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. ... The unselfish labor
of Christians in the past should be to us an object lesson and an ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 11 the gospel in.htm

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Mission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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