Bible Verses About Missions

by | Verses

Bible Verses About Missions

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): “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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 (NIV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Summary Explanation: The Bible lays a strong foundation for missions, emphasizing the importance of spreading the Gospel to all corners of the earth. These verses establish the directive for Christians to engage in missionary work, empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Great Commission

  • Mark 16:15 (NIV): “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”
  • Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): “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, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
  • Luke 24:47-48 (NIV): “And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
  • John 20:21 (NIV): “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'”

Summary Explanation: The Great Commission is Jesus’ command to His followers to spread His teachings to all the world. These verses capture the essence of this mandate, emphasizing the global mission to share the Gospel.

The Apostles’ Missionary Journeys

  • Acts 13:47 (NIV): “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
  • Acts 14:27 (NIV): “On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”
  • Acts 16:9-10 (NIV): “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
  • 2 Corinthians 10:16 (NIV): “So that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, for we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.”

Summary Explanation: The apostles’ missionary journeys, as recorded in the Book of Acts, demonstrate the early church’s commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission. These verses detail their travels and efforts to spread the Gospel across various regions.

The Power of the Holy Spirit in Missions

  • Acts 1:8 (NIV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
  • Acts 4:31 (NIV): “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
  • 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NIV): “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
  • Romans 15:19 (NIV): “By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.”

Summary Explanation: These verses underscore the essential role of the Holy Spirit in missions. The Spirit empowers believers to speak boldly, perform wonders, and spread the Gospel with divine authority and power.

The Calling to Missions

  • Isaiah 6:8 (NIV): “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”
  • Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV): “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”
  • Acts 13:2 (NIV): “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'”
  • Romans 10:15 (NIV): “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”

Summary Explanation: The calling to missions is a central theme in the Bible. These verses highlight the divine invitation to participate in God’s work and the joy and responsibility of answering this call.

The Challenges of Missions

  • 2 Corinthians 11:26-27 (NIV): “I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.”
  • Acts 14:22 (NIV): “Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”
  • Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV): “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
  • 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV): “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Summary Explanation: Mission work is often accompanied by challenges and trials. These verses provide a realistic view of the hardships faced in missions but also frame them as opportunities for growth and rejoicing in shared experiences with Christ.

The Reward of Missionary Work

  • Mark 10:29-30 (NIV): “Truly I tell you,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.”
  • Daniel 12:3 (NIV): “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NIV): “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
  • Matthew 5:12 (NIV): “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Summary Explanation: The Bible speaks of significant rewards for those engaged in missionary work. These rewards are not only material and relational in this life but also spiritual and eternal, reflecting the profound impact of spreading the Gospel.

Prayer and Missions

  • Ephesians 6:18-20 (NIV): “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”
  • Colossians 4:3 (NIV): “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NIV): “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”
  • James 5:16 (NIV): “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Summary Explanation: Prayer is an essential component of missions, providing spiritual support and guidance. These verses emphasize the need for continuous prayer for the success of the Gospel’s spread and for the well-being of those who proclaim it.

The Global Scope of Missions

  • Revelation 7:9 (NIV): “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
  • Galatians 3:28 (NIV): “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
  • Matthew 24:14 (NIV): “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
  • Psalm 96:3 (NIV): “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Summary Explanation: The Bible portrays missions as a global endeavor, transcending cultural, ethnic, and linguistic barriers. These verses highlight the call to share the Gospel with every nation and people, showcasing God’s inclusive love for all humanity.

Unity and Diversity in Missions

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV): “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.”
  • Ephesians 4:3-4 (NIV): “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.”
  • Romans 12:5 (NIV): “So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
  • Revelation 5:9 (NIV): “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'”

Summary Explanation: Christian missions embody both unity and diversity. While believers come from various backgrounds, they are united in their mission to share the Gospel. These verses celebrate the richness of diversity within the body of Christ, working harmoniously towards a common goal.

The Ultimate Goal of Missions

  • Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): “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.”
  • John 17:23 (NIV): “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
  • 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV): “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
  • 1 Timothy 2:4 (NIV): “Who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Summary Explanation: The ultimate goal of missions, as depicted in the Bible, is to make disciples of all nations, revealing God’s desire for everyone to know and experience His love and salvation. It’s about expanding the Kingdom of God, bringing unity, and understanding the truth found in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

  • Missions are a foundational aspect of Christian faith, with a clear mandate given by Jesus in the Great Commission.
  • The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering and guiding missionaries.
  • Christian missions are marked by challenges but also by immense spiritual rewards and fulfillment.
  • Missions have a global reach, emphasizing inclusivity and unity in diversity.
  • The ultimate goal of missions is the expansion of God’s kingdom, bringing people from all walks of life into a relationship with Jesus Christ.