Missiology (Theology of Mission and Evangelism): Biblical Foundations of Mission
1. Defining Mission in Biblical Theology
Mission in Christian theology refers to God’s initiative to redeem the world and the church’s participation in His plan. It is not merely a program of the church but a central theme of Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells a story of God sending His Word, His Spirit, and ultimately His Son to rescue a fallen creation and gather a people for Himself.
Evangelism, the proclamation of the Gospel, is at the heart of mission. The message is clear: Jesus Christ died for sins, rose from the dead, and now offers forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who repent and believe (Acts 2:38). The theology of mission grounds this message in God’s eternal purpose and His covenant promises.
2. Mission Rooted in God’s Nature
Mission begins with God Himself. The triune God is missional by nature:
The Father sends the Son into the world (John 3:16).
The Son accomplishes redemption through His death and resurrection (Philippians 2:6–11).
The Spirit is poured out to empower witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
The biblical foundations of mission thus arise from the Trinity. God’s sending activity flows from His character of love, justice, and mercy. The mission of the church is therefore not a human invention but participation in the mission of God.
3. Creation, Fall, and the Need for Mission
The story of mission is inseparable from the story of creation and fall. God created humanity in His image to reflect His glory and steward creation (Genesis 1:26–28). Yet sin fractured that calling, plunging the world into rebellion and death (Genesis 3:6–7; Romans 5:12).
The need for mission arises here. Humanity cannot restore itself. Only God can reconcile sinners to Himself. From the earliest promise of redemption — the offspring who would crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15) — mission is revealed as God’s plan to bring salvation to the nations.
4. Israel and the Missional Covenant
The Old Testament shows that mission is not new to the New Testament. God chose Israel to be a light to the nations.
Abraham’s covenant — “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).
The Exodus — God delivered Israel to show His power among the nations (Exodus 9:16).
The Prophets — Israel’s role was to declare God’s glory among all peoples (Isaiah 49:6).
Though Israel often failed in this calling, God’s mission continued. The missional covenant pointed to a greater fulfillment in Christ, who embodies Israel and brings light to the nations.
5. Christ and the Mandate of Mission
The New Testament places Christ at the center of mission. Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). His ministry embodied God’s kingdom through proclamation, healing, and sacrificial love.
The climax is the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Here, mission is universal, extending beyond Israel to every people. The command to baptize and teach is grounded in Jesus’ authority and accompanied by His promise to be with His church until the end of the age.
This mandate establishes the foundation for evangelism: mission is not optional but essential to the identity of the church.
6. The Early Church and Missional Witness
The book of Acts shows the early church embracing its missionary identity. Empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles preached Christ boldly (Acts 2:41). Persecution scattered believers, spreading the Gospel further (Acts 8:4). Paul and others carried the message throughout the Roman world, planting churches and calling all people to repent and believe in Jesus.
The early church understood that mission was theological, not just practical. God’s plan of redemption compelled them to go. Their evangelism was shaped by Scripture, rooted in the death and resurrection of Christ, and aimed at the inclusion of the Gentiles.
7. Theology and Mission in Mutual Relationship
Mission and theology are not separate disciplines. They shape one another:
Theology informs mission — Understanding God, sin, and redemption provides the foundation for faithful evangelism.
Mission informs theology — As the Gospel crosses cultures, theology is tested, clarified, and enriched.
Mutual dependence — Without theology, mission lacks depth; without mission, theology risks abstraction.
This dynamic reflects the biblical narrative itself. God reveals His truth in the context of His mission to redeem, and His people learn theology as they live out that mission.
8. Mission, the Gospel, and the End of the Story
The biblical foundations of mission point forward to the end of the story. Mission is not endless. It has a goal: the gathering of a redeemed people from every nation to worship the Lamb.
Matthew 24:14 — “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Revelation 7:9 — A great multitude from every nation and language stands before the throne, praising God.
Mission today participates in that coming reality. Evangelism announces the kingdom, calling people to repentance and faith, while anticipating the day when mission gives way to consummation. The Great Commission will one day become the Great Completion, when Christ returns and the knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.
Conclusion: Living in the Mission of God
The theology of mission reveals that evangelism is not merely the church’s program but God’s eternal plan. Rooted in creation, necessitated by the fall, fulfilled in Christ, and empowered by the Spirit, mission continues until the nations are gathered before God’s throne.
For the church, the biblical foundations of mission call for faithfulness. Evangelism must remain Gospel-centered, proclaiming Christ’s death and resurrection, while mission must remain kingdom-focused, pointing to the new creation.
Living in this mission means embodying the Gospel in word and deed, confident that God’s plan cannot fail. The Lamb who was slain will receive the reward of His suffering, and His mission will be complete.
Bible Verses on the Biblical Foundations of Mission
“Now the Lord said to Abram… in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1–3)
“But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)
“I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
“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.” (Acts 1:8)
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
“This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude… from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9)
