Missional Church Network

In preparation for writing the biblical rationale chapter for my dmin project I have been reading several good works that focus on the biblical theology of mission. So far I have discovered the two most helpful to be “Salvation to the Ends of the Earth” by Andreas Kostenberger & Peter T. O’Brien and “Mission in the New Testament” by William Larkin and Joel Williams.

Here is an excerpt from the Larkin text which emphasizes that Jesus was not only the one sent by the Father, but after the resurrection he assumed the role of sender:

Martin Hengel has called Jesus “the primal missionary.” In so doing he places his finger on a key aspect of Jesus’ self- understanding. The record of Jesus’ teaching found in the synoptic gospels reflects the fact that he had a clear understanding of his own mission. He taught that he was sent by the Father with the task of seeking and saving the lost and that — although he envisioned a future worldwide mission — his own mission was focused on the nation of Israel. Jesus’ teaching on mission, however, encompassed more than his own task. It inclued the task entrusted to his disciples.

Prior to the resurrection, the disciples’ mission was identical to and an extension of Jesus’ mission. The resurrection, however, brought a significant change both to Jesus’ role in mission and to the disciples’ actual mission. As the risen Christ, he assumed the role of sender, who sent the disciples with the task of bearing witness to the forgiveness of sins that was now available in him. Their mission was now to be to “all the nations,” and that universal mission was to be carried out by obedient disciples who would continue their mission until Jesus returns.

- John Harvey, “Mission in Jesus’ Teaching” in Mission in the New Testament, William Larkin