The concept that all Christians are called to be missionaries is deeply rooted in the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ. This calling is not limited to a select few but extends to all who identify as followers of Christ, reflecting their identity as saints and their commitment to the Great Commission.

Biblical Foundation

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20 , serves as the cornerstone for the missionary calling of all Christians: "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 directive was given by Jesus to His disciples, but its implications extend to all believers, emphasizing the universal responsibility to spread the Gospel.

In Acts 1:8 , Jesus further empowers His followers with the Holy Spirit, stating, "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 passage highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in equipping believers to fulfill their missionary calling, underscoring the idea that every Christian is a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

The Identity of Saints

The term "saints" in the New Testament refers to all believers who are set apart for God's purposes. In 1 Peter 2:9 , Christians are described as "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 identity as saints carries with it the responsibility to proclaim God's virtues and to be a light in the world.

Paul's letters frequently address believers as saints, emphasizing their collective mission. In Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul writes about the various roles within the church, stating, "And He 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." This passage illustrates that while specific roles may differ, the overarching mission of building up the body of Christ and engaging in ministry is a shared responsibility.

Practical Implications

The call for all Christians to be missionaries manifests in various forms, from local evangelism to global missions. In everyday life, believers are encouraged to embody the teachings of Christ and to share the Gospel through words and actions. Colossians 4:5-6 advises, "Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This guidance underscores the importance of living a life that reflects Christ's love and truth, thereby drawing others to Him.

Furthermore, the early church serves as a model for communal missionary work. Acts 2:42-47 describes the believers' devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, resulting in the Lord adding to their number daily those who were being saved. This example demonstrates the power of a unified community in advancing the Gospel.

Conclusion

The calling of all Christians to be missionaries is an integral aspect of their identity as saints. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the example of the early church, believers are equipped to fulfill the Great Commission, spreading the message of salvation to all corners of the earth.Exodus 19:6
And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Spread of the Gospel.
... were cannibals, but who are now hearty Christians; and it ... Daniel too, foresaw that
the little horn should spring up, and do very wickedly; and all the tenor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxxiv the spread of.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 Thessalonian Letters
... church of Thessalonica, but to all Christians wherever they ... even your sanctification,
that ye should abstain from ... patience and faith in all your persecutions ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 25 the thessalonian letters.htm

Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish.
... himself and his Churches; he ransomed many Christians from captivity ... their lords,
in which no man should ever stand ... from it, to accomplish which in all, the Son ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/patrick the apostle of the.htm

Anschar, Apostle of the North.
... THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF INDIVIDUAL MISSIONARIES. ... the will of God that the Gospel
should then be ... who threatened destruction to him and all Christians with fire ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/anschar apostle of the north.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

The Lord's Prayer for Unity.
... age there was no thought of bodies of Christians. ... to heathenism in one year than
all our missionaries ... God forbid that I should disparage any effort to spread ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lords prayer for unity.htm

God Seeks Intercessors
... Millions of feeble, sickly Christians; thousands of wearied workers ... by God's
intercessors, or we should cry to ... strength"receiving day by day all they needed ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiv god seeks intercessors.htm

The Waldenses.
... In their fidelity to His law, God's servants should be as firm ... been of a character
to prepare them for all this. ... Such was the spirit of the Vaudois Christians. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

Be not Conformed to this World. Romans 12:2.
... I do not mean that you should study singularity, but that you should consult
convenience ... it not tell on the pride of the world, if all the Christians in it ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be not conformed to this.htm

What does it mean to be missional? Should Christians be missional? | GotQuestions.org

What are the pros and cons of short-term missions? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian missions? | GotQuestions.org

Mission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus