What’s a mission?
According to the dictionary, a mission is an important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically involving travel. It is also the vocation or calling of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out in the world and spread its faith. Let’s explore Bible verses about missions.
Biblical missions
In the Bible, God calls upon people to serve Him and to serve others. Jesus served by teaching the gospel and ministering to children and others. He fed the hungry, cured the ill, and even washed the disciples’ feet to demonstrate humility. Those were some of his missions. And in the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, he died a painful death on the cross. The apostles of Jesus also went on missions to share the good news of the Lord and to help those who are lost. As God’s followers, we are each called upon to perform lifelong missions. They include putting God first, respecting one another, and being fair and honest as examples.
Following God’s plan, as a mission
God has a plan, and He blesses those who follow his ways. In Genesis 12:1-3, God promised Abram a nation and a blessing. He calls him to leave behind his country and relatives and follow him to a place that he would show him.
Genesis 12:1-3
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Baptism, as a mission
For many Christian religions, baptism is a common foundation. Among the missions of Baptism is to become members of the church. It demonstrates faith in God, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life in heaven. For Catholics, baptism marks the beginning of Christian life and is the first and most important of the seven sacraments. In Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20, Jesus asks his chosen disciples to accomplish a mission.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Preaching the gospel, as a mission
Jesus also commissioned his disciples to proclaim the gospel to every creature, including the poor, the sick, the hungry, those facing injustice, social outcasts, sinners and more. The mission to preach to everyone is an important one, of which Jesus offers his disciples confirmation through signs.
Mark 16:15-20
Jesus spoke to his disciples:
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up to heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Let’s reflect
In the Biblical verses above, we explore missions involving demonstrating faith and following God’s plan, achieving eternal life through baptism, and preaching of the gospel to share the Good News of the Lord. These missions are not simply random nor are they easy. Yet, they bring peace of mind. (Attach AMAC article entitled Bible verses about peace of mind). There are many bible verses about missions where people are asked to serve God and trust and follow His ways. And it is the duty of the faithful to continually carry out God’s important missions, such as loving one another and treating others with kindness and respect.
