A simple definition of missions flows from the commands of Christ.
There are many verses which might be cited in support of missions. Jesus himself gave five statements about missions between the resurrection and the ascension.
Here they are in the order we find them in the Bible:
Matthew 28:19–20 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15 – And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Luke 24:44–49 – Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
John 20:21 – Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Thus, missions is the task given by Jesus to the church through the disciples that authorizes it to carry the gospel everywhere so that all peoples might have opportunity to believe on Christ as their Savior, partake in Jesus’ Kingdom, and become life-long followers of him.
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