Topical Encyclopedia The concept of missionary work by ministers, particularly the apostles, is a foundational element of the Christian faith, rooted in the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ. The apostles, as the primary messengers of the Gospel, were tasked with spreading the teachings of Jesus to all nations, establishing the early Church, and laying the groundwork for future evangelistic efforts.Biblical Foundation The mandate for missionary work is 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 command underscores the global scope of the apostles' mission and the enduring presence of Christ with His messengers. In Acts 1:8 , Jesus further instructs the apostles, saying, "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 as essential for the apostles' missionary endeavors, enabling them to transcend cultural and geographical barriers. The Role of the Apostles The apostles were uniquely chosen and commissioned by Christ to be His representatives. Their role as missionaries was multifaceted, involving preaching, teaching, performing miracles, and establishing churches. The apostle Paul, in particular, exemplifies the missionary zeal and dedication expected of Christ's emissaries. In Romans 15:20 , Paul articulates his ambition: "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation." The Book of Acts provides a detailed account of the apostles' missionary journeys, highlighting their strategic approach to evangelism. They often began their work in Jewish synagogues, as seen in Acts 13:5 : "When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues." This approach allowed them to reach both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, laying a foundation for the broader dissemination of the Gospel. Challenges and Perseverance The apostles faced numerous challenges in their missionary work, including persecution, imprisonment, and cultural opposition. Despite these obstacles, they remained steadfast in their mission. Acts 5:41-42 records the apostles' response to persecution: "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ." Their perseverance was fueled by a deep conviction of their calling and the transformative power of the Gospel. The apostle Paul, writing from prison, expresses this resolve in Philippians 1:12-14 : "Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear." Legacy and Impact The missionary work of the apostles laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Their efforts established a pattern of evangelism and church planting that continues to inspire and guide Christian missions today. The apostolic model emphasizes the importance of personal witness, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to teaching and discipleship. The apostles' legacy is evident in the growth of the early Church, as described in Acts 2:47 : "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Their work set the stage for the expansion of Christianity into a global faith, fulfilling the mandate to make disciples of all nations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Mark 6:12And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 13:2-5 Library Claim of Missions on Ministers of Influence. Import of the Great Commission. The Spread of the Gospel. The Acts of the Apostles Heresies The True Spirit of Missions. The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ... How Churches Can Help Ministers. The Holy Catholic Church. The Mendicant Orders Resources What is Youth with a Mission (YWAM), and what are their beliefs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Jesus' mission? Why did Jesus come? | GotQuestions.org What is the World Mission Society Church of God, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org Mission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics All Christians should be As Missionaries in a Holy Example All Christians should be As Missionaries in Admonishing Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Aiding Ministers in Their Labours All Christians should be As Missionaries in Declaring What God Has Done for Them All Christians should be As Missionaries in Dedicating Themselves to the Service of God All Christians should be As Missionaries in Devoting all Property to God All Christians should be As Missionaries in Encouraging the Weak All Christians should be As Missionaries in First Giving Their own Selves to the Lord All Christians should be As Missionaries in Following Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Forsaking all for Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Giving a Reason for Their Faith All Christians should be As Missionaries in Hating Life for Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Holy Boldness All Christians should be As Missionaries in Holy Conduct All Christians should be As Missionaries in Holy Conservation All Christians should be As Missionaries in Interceding for Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Inviting Forth God's Praises All Christians should be As Missionaries in Inviting Others to Embrace the Gospel All Christians should be As Missionaries in Joyfully Suffering for Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Old Age All Christians should be As Missionaries in Openly Confessing Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Preferring Christ Above all Relations All Christians should be As Missionaries in Reproving Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Seeking the Edification of Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Showing Forth God's Praises All Christians should be As Missionaries in Talking of God and his Works All Christians should be As Missionaries in Teaching and Exhorting All Christians should be As Missionaries in the Family All Christians should be As Missionaries in Their Intercourse With the World All Christians should be As Missionaries in Visiting and Relieving the Poor, the Sick All Christians should be As Missionaries in Youth All Christians should be As Missionaries with a Superabundant Liberality All Christians should be As Missionaries with a Willing Heart All Christians should be As Missionaries: After the Example of Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries: An Imperative Duty All Christians should be As Missionaries: Andrew All Christians should be As Missionaries: Anna All Christians should be As Missionaries: Apollos All Christians should be As Missionaries: Aquila All Christians should be As Missionaries: As Faithful Stewards All Christians should be As Missionaries: Barnabas All Christians should be As Missionaries: Blessedness of All Christians should be As Missionaries: Captive Maid All Christians should be As Missionaries: Centurion All Christians should be As Missionaries: Chief of the Fathers All Christians should be As Missionaries: Disciples All Christians should be As Missionaries: Encouragement To All Christians should be As Missionaries: from Their Calling As Saints All Christians should be As Missionaries: Hannah All Christians should be As Missionaries: However Weak They May Be All Christians should be As Missionaries: Illustrated All Christians should be As Missionaries: Joanna All Christians should be As Missionaries: Leper All Christians should be As Missionaries: Onesiphorus All Christians should be As Missionaries: Persecuted Saints All Christians should be As Missionaries: Philemon All Christians should be As Missionaries: Philip All Christians should be As Missionaries: Restored Demoniac All Christians should be As Missionaries: Shadrach All Christians should be As Missionaries: Shepherds All Christians should be As Missionaries: The Principle on Which All Christians should be As Missionaries: The Zeal of Hypocrites should Provoke To All Christians should be As Missionaries: The Zeal of Idolaters should Provoke To All Christians should be As Missionaries: Various Individuals All Christians should be As Missionaries: Woman of Samaria All Christians should be As Missionaries: Women and Children As Well As Men Missionary Work by Ministers is According to the Purpose of God Missionary Work by Ministers: Aid Those Engaged In Missionary Work by Ministers: Apostles Missionary Work by Ministers: Be Ready to Engage In Missionary Work by Ministers: Christ Engaged In Missionary Work by Ministers: Christ Sent his Disciples to Labour In Missionary Work by Ministers: Commanded Missionary Work by Ministers: Directed by the Holy Spirit Missionary Work by Ministers: Excellency of Missionary Work by Ministers: God Qualifies For Missionary Work by Ministers: God Strengthens For Missionary Work by Ministers: Guilt and Danger of Shrinking From Missionary Work by Ministers: Harmony should Subsist Amongst Those Engaged In Missionary Work by Ministers: Jonah Missionary Work by Ministers: Levites Missionary Work by Ministers: No Limits to the Sphere of Missionary Work by Ministers: Noah Missionary Work by Ministers: Obligations to Engage In Missionary Work by Ministers: Opportunities For, not to be Neglected Missionary Work by Ministers: Paul Missionary Work by Ministers: Philip Missionary Work by Ministers: Required Missionary Work by Ministers: Requires Wisdom and Meekness Missionary Work by Ministers: Silas Missionary Work by Ministers: Success of a Cause of Joy Missionary Work by Ministers: Success of a Cause of Praise Missionary Work by Ministers: Success of To be Prayed For Missionary Work by Ministers: The Holy Spirit Calls To Missionary Work by Ministers: The Seventy Missionary Work by Ministers: Timotheus Missionary Work by Ministers: Warranted by Predictions Concerning the Heathen Missionary Work by Ministers: Worldly Concerns should not Delay Related Terms |
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