Name of the Student: 

Ancy Alex
Class and Subject: BD2 and Development of Missiological Thinking and Praxis
Paper Title: Biblical foundations of mission
Total words: 1496
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Introduction
The basic foundations we need for God's mission. Throughout the Bible we see God's plan to
reach all peoples it starts in Genesis, he created the world and ends with Jesus Christ being
worshipped by all nations. The purpose of this paper it help us to understand how God led
different people from old to New Testament to fulfill his mission. As we are the part of God's
mission we should remember that it is not ours but God’s mission and we are the part taker and
by looking in old and new testament we will get clear understanding of God who desires to be in
a relationship with his creation (humans) and used his people for his mission.
 God’s mission in the Old Testament
The Old Testament as an indispensable and irreplaceable base for the church’s missionary task
among the nations and peoples of this world. God's activities are directed at the whole of
humanity. The whole old Testament is filled with description of how Yahweh– Adonai the
Covenant God of Israel is, waging war against those forces which try to subvert his plans for his
creation. There are grand vision of that coming Kingdom where every relationship is properly
restored and when the whole of creation will be in perfect accord with God intentions for it.1
The Old Testament is fundamental to the understanding of missions is the new. He reveals
himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In other words as the God who has been active
in the past history and who precisely for this reason will also be the God of the future.2
Mission might be defined as sharing the good news of God's redemptive work with all nations.
The great pillars of the faith of old testament Israel not only supported their identity as a people
of memory and hope but also continuous to support the mission of God's people believing Jews
and gentiles united in the Messiah Jesus.3
The plan of God had from the very beginning the central figure of the “seed”who was to come in
the person of the man of promise, the Messiah. The example of Jonah refutes the alleged case for
a centripetal only emphasizes in the old Testament.4
God in his grace has taken initiative to provide a way of reconciliation, bringing them back into
his kingdom. As a result of God’s call of Abraham and Israel, they were not only to be blessed
but were also to become a blessing. Israel was to proclaim the salvation of the Lord in the midst
of the nations and to invite them to come and worship the Lord and worship him alone. Israel
failed in its mission as “light of the nations,” but the Messiah would fulfill this role, create a new
kingdom people, and send them as his witnesses to the nations. God will one day judge all

1
Ralph D Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, Perspective on the world Christian movement, ( Callifornia: William
Carey Library, 1981), 42.
2
David J Bosch, Transforming mission paradigm shifts in theology of mission, ( New York: Orbis books, 1991), 32-
33.
3
John Mark Terry Missiology: An introduction to the foundations, history and strategies of world missions,
(Tennessee : 2005), 95-103.
4
Walter C Kaiser Jr, Mission in Old testament, (Michigan: Baker books, 2000),38-37.
nations, overthrow all evil, and fully establish his kingdom of peace and righteousness over all
creation.
Both Testaments look forward to the completion of God’s plan for the nations in the
eschatological vision of people of every nation, tribe, and tongue worshipping God in the new
Jerusalem.5

 God’s mission in the New Testament

The New Testament is a missionary book in address, content, spirit and design. The New
Testament is theology in motion more than it is theology in reason and concept. The writings of
Paul presents some of the greatest missionary text and thoughts.6
The church continued in continuity with Israel’s calling as a true servant of the Lord and a light
to the nations. Though faced with persecution and spiritual opposition, Christ will build his
church until the gospel has been preached among every people. Then he will return victoriously
to finally judge all evil and gather his people from all nations to worship him for all eternity in
the new Jerusalem.7

The mission of the church is clearly oriented to others.8 Acts demonstrates that the mission of the
disciples and of the church in fact God’s mission being realized through them. It is God in the
person of the Holy Spirit who initiates, motivates, empowers and complete the progress of the
gospel from Jerusalem to the nations.9

The central affirmation of the New Testament is with the Christ event new order has already
dawned. The Old Testament promises are in process of being fulfilled.10
The New Testament depicts a cultural universalization of the church in terms of inclusiveness,
but not a cultural homogenization in the process.11
Jesus realized the universal significance of his person and mission. Matthew 5 :13 -16 looks to
the world wide witness of his disciples: “ You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the
world”. Christian mission is necessary because
1. It is the expression of the salvific function of the church.
2. It is the continuation of Christ’s mission.
3. It is the fulfillment of Christ’s great Commission.12

5
Craig OTT et al., Encountering theology of mission, ( Michigan: Baker academic, 2010), 24.
6
George W Peters, A Biblical theology of missions, ( Chicago: Moody Press, 1972), 112-113.
7
Craig OTT et al., Encountering theology of mission, 54.
8
Encountering theology of mission, 40.
9
Encountering theology of mission, 42.
10
Christopher J.H.Wright, The mission of God, (Illinois: Intervarsity Press,2006), 164.
11
Encountering theology of mission, 31.
12
Bahasa Soemarna, Christian mission : A Biblical foundation and its application to evangelistic work for Indonesia.
Muslims, ( Andrews university, 1981), 34-36.
  Purpose and nature of mission
The purpose of missions must be understood and articulated in ways that are biblically and
theologically. The purpose of the church in a missiological framework based on the Old
Testament expectation of a light to shine upon the Gentiles and the dark places.
This understanding of the purpose of missions centers on the proclamation of the gospel of
Christ by word and by deed while displacing ignorance with the knowledge of God, evil deeds
with deeds of righteousness, and despair and bondage with joy and freedom.

The calling to be light identifies missions with the God who is light and with the light and life-
giving mission of Christ. The light of the gospel is lived out in love, unity, and service.13

Mission is the sending activity of God with the purpose of reconciling to himself and bringing
into his kingdom. Mission is a sign of the kingdom and an invitation to the nations to enter the
kingdom and share the hope of the kingdom promised in Christ’s return.

The church possess a clear biblically and theologically sound understanding of the purpose of
mission.
1. Doxology is the highest purpose of mission
2. Redemption is the foundation of mission
3. Eschatology is the hope of mission
4. Reconciliation is the fruit of mission
5. Incarnation is the character of mission14
There are two insights of Gods nature that are evident regarding his promise and missions. First,
he set up a “Covenant” it is his character to establish and an agreement. Secondly, his Covenant
blessing is meant for “generation”and is everlasting. God intends for mission to accomplish the
handling of his promise from generation to generation.15
 Justification of Mission: Missio Dei
Missio Dei is a Latin theological term that can be translated as “Mission of God”, it refers to the
work of the church as being part of God's work. According to Goheen, there are two new
particular emphasis on missiological thinking which emerged from Willingen.
First, Mission is first and foremost God’s mission. The primary emphasis is on what God is
doing for the redemption of the world.
Second, God’s mission is defined in terms of the triune character and work of God. It was thus
put in the context of the doctrine of the trinity, not of ecclesiology or soteriology.16

13
John Mark Terry Missiology: An introduction to the foundations, history and strategies of world missions, 64-65.
14
Encountering theology of mission, 105.
15
Wayne W. Hobson, The Biblical theology of God’s mission to the world
https://www.researchgate.net/publication
God's purpose sometimes summed up with the Latin expression Missio Dei or “mission of God”
has been unfolding all over the world for thousands of years.17
Without the sending activity of the trinity, there is no mission.18 Mission is God's activity, it is
inappropriate to suggest that God needs is to accomplish his purpose. He takes pleasure in us
serving him and working with him.19 The core of the Gospel is the God the father so loved the
world that he gave, that is, he sent his one and only son into the world. The same spirit of God
who moved over the surface of the waters at creation (Genesis 1:2) now moves the church to all
peoples and nations as witnesses to Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).20
 Relevance for ministry
We have seen God chose people like Abraham and Paul for blessings of nations and now we are
the light of the world for this generation and be blessing for all. So this paper will helps us to
know the purpose and nature of mission and God’s mission in Old and New testament. It will
encourage and trust upon God in difficult times of mission.

Conclusion
The Bible is from start to finish a missionary book. The old Testament is fundamental to the
understanding of mission. Mission can be defined as sharing the good news of God's redemptive
work to all nations. Trinity is the sending activity of mission. It is God in the person of holy
spirit who complete the progress of the gospel. In both testaments we see the completion of
God's plan for the nations.

Bibliography

16
Missio Dei and the mission of the church, https://www.wycliffe.net/more-about-what-we-do/papers-and-
articles/missio-dei-and-the-mission-of-the-church/
17
Ralph D Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, Perspective on the world Christian movement, ( Callifornia: William
Carey Library, 1981), 753.
18
Encountering theology of mission, 74.
19
Eddie Arthur, Missio Dei: The mission of God, https://www.kouya.net
20
Encountering theology of mission, 74.
Winter, Ralph D and Steven C. Hawthorne. Perspective on the world Christian movement. Callifornia:
William Carey Library, 1981.
Bosch, David J. Transforming mission paradigm shifts in theology of mission. New York: Orbis books, 1991.

Terry, John Mark. Missiology: An introduction to the foundations, history and strategies of world missions.
Tennessee : 2005.

Kaiser Jr, Walter C. Mission in Old testament. Michigan: Baker books, 2000.

OTT, CRAIG et al. Encountering theology of mission. Michigan: Baker academic, 2010.

Peters, George W. A Biblical theology of missions. Chicago: Moody Press, 1972.

Wright, Christopher J.H. The mission of God. Illinois: Intervarsity Press,2006.

Soemarna, Bahasa. Christian mission : A Biblical foundation and its application to evangelistic work for
Indonesia. Muslims. Andrews university, 1981.

Webliography
Missio Dei and the mission of the church, https://www.wycliffe.net/more-about-what-we-do/papers-
and-articles/missio-dei-and-the-mission-of-the-church/
Wayne W. Hobson, The Biblical theology of God’s mission to the world https://www.researchgate.net/publication

Eddie Arthur, Missio Dei: The mission of God, https://www.kouya.net