MISSIONS IN THE BIBLE
Dr. Mel Loucks
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| Missions in the Bible |
As Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives and looked at his followers just previous to his ascension into heaven, the last command he gave to his followers was, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” That should be our first concern. But we also need to keep in mind that it was not where missions began in the Bible. So many of us think that missions began with Christ’s Great Commission but it started long before that. In fact, we can trace the Great Commission throughout the entire Bible.
The Great Commission in the Old Testament
Did you know that the Great Commission is found in the Old Testament? You can read it in Isaiah 49. When the Jews returned from the exile and they were beginning to rebuild the city and the walls, the prophet Isaiah said these words to them, as words from God himself. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (NLT)
God's First Promise
But we can go back even further—all the way back to the book of Genesis, Chapter three, verse 15 at the time of the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. He says, “And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
That’s the first reference to the coming of the savior in the Bible and the first mention that the gospel needs to be sent to all creatures.
God's Covenant
In Genesis 12:1-3 we see God’s covenant with Abraham
“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.”
Blessed to be a Blessing
Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. We can trace the blessing of Abraham throughout the old and new testaments. Our task is to be a blessing to the people of the world.
The entire Bible is a book about missions. We can trace the path of God’s promise from Genesis 3:15 to the end of the book of Revelation.
Books about Missions.
Dr. Loucks has recommended numerous books on Missions. They fall into three major categories:
Informational Books
Inspirational Books
Challenging Books
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