THE CHRISTIAN MISSION.
The word Mission or missionary comes from the Latin word “Metto” which means “I send”. Also, in Greek; It means “Apostello”. These words were translated to be apostle in the New Testament Bible, which means, one who is sent with a mission.
However, through the centuries these words have come to have a somewhat different meaning.
Instead of thinking of a missionary to mean one who is sent with a special message, we now see the word missionary as one sent to remote people, with the message of salvation.
These words also have strong connotations that one is sent as an envoy or an ambassador for the one who sent him. As such, the Christian missionary or apostle carries the name, the authority and status of the one who sent him.
It is because of this understanding of one being sent as an apostle or missionary that he proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.
Having said this, we can say that the work of the Christian missionary is the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the unconverted lost sinners and to disciple the converted and redeemed saints, everywhere, according to the command of Lord Jesus Christ. (Matt.28:18-20)
- The Need for Missionary Activities.
Missionary activities are important because of the following reasons:
a. Without missionary activities, the proclamation of good the news of salvation; sinners will not hear the Gospel of salvation (Rom. 1013-17)
b. The love of God for sinners makes Him to feel concern for the unsaved, hence the need for a sent one. Therefore, embarking on missions is doing the will of God. Remember, it is not the will of God that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2Pt. 3:9). Lack of effort on our side to reach the sinners with the Gospel is entirely not God's idea.
c. When sinners are converted and discipled, their life style will change for better. Our entire nation will be thus get better. God’s blessings will be a common experience.
- The Biblical Basis for Missionary activities.
The Christian mission is rooted in the Holy Scriptures for they contain mission concepts about all people.
Consider the following factors:
a. The story of God accomplishing his mission is the plot of the entire Bible. Therefore, God’s mission is the backbone upon which the Bible is built and is best understood.
b. The way God accomplished his mission is to reveal himself to men by his spoken words and by the incarnate word (Jesus) and enlist people as co-workers with him to bring the word to others who have not heard it.
Therefore, God’s mission is the reason we have Bible today in every nation.
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