What Does the New Testament have to do with Missions?

Dr. William Larkin 

Professor of N.T. and Greek, Columbia International University

This question on the surface appears to be a “no brainer.”  Of course, the New Testament has something to do with missions, maybe everything.  But, then, why is it that missions has become such a specialty, a matter of special interest, in the church?  Even if a local church has an interest in missions, biblical teaching on the subject will be given about once a year, at the missions conference.  If the Bible, particularly the New Testament, really has so much to do with missions, why are we not hearing more frequent preaching and teaching from more places in the New Testament?  Maybe the New Testament is really more about growth in Christian maturity, than about winning people for Christ, especially in places where people don’t know about Jesus and his saving love.

In a series of posts, I would like to explore the possibility, even the reality, of the missional focus of the entire New Testament.  My contention is that when it comes to missions angle of vision (motive and mandate); missions equipment (message) and missions guidance (methods), the New Testament is our indispensable foundation, framework, and functional authority.  If we don’t consistently ask: “What does the Bible, the New Testament, say about this missions issue?” we will be in danger of veering off the path for authentically fulfilling the mission of God.

Read More Mission of God in the NT posts (on Mission of God blog)

Introduction
Matthew
Mark
Luke 
Acts
Galatians
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Corinthians