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Four Divine Missions

WSY 09-04-2011

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What Are Missions?

Mission: An assignment of a work given to someone sent to an area to establish a cause.

Missionary: The person, or persons sent to carry out the duties for its accomplishment.

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The Four Divine Missions1. The mission of John the Baptist

As a forerunner to the coming of Christ. Terminated at his execution.

2. The mission of Christ: An earthly mission to the Jews only. Terminated upon His ascension.

3. The mission of the Apostles: Preach the gospel to all nations. Terminated at their death.

4. The mission of the Holy Spirit: To Christians and the church. Terminates at Christ’s coming.

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Mission 1: John – The Baptist

“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through Him all men might believe.

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:6-9

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PURPOSE: To Prepare the Way

“John testifies concerning Him. He cries out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.'" From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known to us.” John 1:15-18

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“I am not the Christ” “Now this was John's testimony when the Jews

of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely,

"I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you

Elijah?" He said, "I am not." “Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."

Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" 1 John 19:22

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Why Do You Baptize?

Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands One you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.“ John 1:24-27

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John the Great!

“I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing….” Matt. 11:11

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My Work is Now Complete

“Rabbi, that man who was with you…, He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him."

John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of Him.…’

“The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for Him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:26-30

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John is Beheaded“On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias

danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

“The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. Matt 14:6-12

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Mission 2: Christ - Sent from God “This is how God showed his love among us: He

sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“Jesus answered Pilate, "You say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” Jn.18:37

“The apostle Paul said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am Chief.” 1 Tim. 1:15

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His mission: Teach and Heal “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their

synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.”

“Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him..” Matt 4:23-25

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Christ and His Work “Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of

Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34

"My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." John 5:17

"The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent." John 6:29

"This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in Him." Matt 14:2

Jesus spoke to a leper “Be clean!” To the dead “Come forth!” To a demon “Come out of him!” To hungry thousands “Sit down—be filled.”

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Christ: “It is finished” The mission of Christ: To fulfill (complete) the Law

and to usher in “The Kingdom of heaven.” To establish the Church of which He will become the foundation and the Head.

After His resurrection Jesus said to His disciples, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Luke 24:44

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed His head and gave up

His Spirit.” John 19:30

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Instructions through Holy SpiritLuke writes, “In my former book, Theophilus, I

wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.

After His suffering, He showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-4

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Jesus Earthly Ministry Completed “Then He opened their minds so they could

understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:45-49

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His Ascension—Work Finished So when they met together, they asked Him,

"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. Acts 1:6-9

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After our break:

3. The Mission of the Apostles

4. The Mission of the Holy Spirit

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Mission 3: The Apostles (The limited commission.) Jesus sent out twelve, "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the

Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message:

'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Matt. 10:5 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill

the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt 10:28-29

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The Great Commission Just before His ascension Jesus spoke to the eleven,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matt 28:18-20

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued

with power from on high." Luke 24:49

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A Promise to the Apostles The eleven asked Jesus, “Are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to

Israel? Jesus replied, “This is not for you to know…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

“He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy

Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4-6

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Great Day of Pentecost! About 120 men and women including the apostles

were in Jerusalem. “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing, mighty wind. Tongues of fire seemed to be on their heads. The apostles “began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-3

Then Peter spoke, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem these men are not drunk as you suppose… but be assured of this God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:14

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The Right Question Asked! When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart

and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Peter replied, "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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:37-39

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were

added to them.” Acts 2:41-42

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The Word: Power to Save! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, it is the

power of God to salvation for everyone who believes….” Rom 1:16

After leaving the Sanhedrin they prayed.. “the place was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

Great persecution came and, “Those who had been scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” Acts 8:4

“For the Word of God is quick and powerful sharper than any double edged Sword” Heb. 4:12

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Mission 4 : Work of Holy Spirit At the beginning of the Restoration in Europe and in

America, the work of the Holy Spirit, like baptism and the Lord’s supper, has been the source of much controversy. It is also very much misunderstood among the disciples of Christ today.

Because of these problems, and for my own edification, I have spent much time studying scholars of the past. Therefore, I present to you a brief from my studies.

“Study to show yourself a workman that needs not to

be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15

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Jesus and the Holy Spirit “And I will pray the Father, and He will give (send) you

another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;” John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit’s mission: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26-27

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own

authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; John 16:13

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The Spirit Dwells in His Church If the Holy Spirit was not promised to the world but sent

only to work in the Christian dispensation, How do we understand John 7:37-39?

“Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

“But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” When was Jesus glorified?

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What about John:16:7-11? “I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go

away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

Note: The world being convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment through the inspired preaching of the Word.”

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The Indwelling of the Spirit Many brethren believe and teach the Word and the

Spirit are one and the same so that the Holy Spirit is bound between two covers. Is this true?

“Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." Acts 5:31-32

“Therefore he who rejects this (teaching) does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” 1 Thess. 4:8 Ref: Rom. 8:9 1 Cor. 3:16 2 Tim. 2:15

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Whom the World Cannot Receive “My Father will give you another Helper, that He

may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-

No example of one becoming a Christian through the direct intervention of the Holy Spirit. But rather, the Word preached is powered by the Holy Spirit.

When the living, active, powerful Word of the gospel is preached the messenger has a Helper.

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John’s Disciples Re-Baptized “Paul found twelve disciples and asked them, "Did you

receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that

there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul replied,

"John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied…” Acts 19:1-7

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False Doctrines1. The Bible and the Holy Spirit are the same. (Dead letter) “The word of God is active and living….Heb. 4:12

2. Infant baptism. A practice of Catholic and some Protestants.

Not once in Scripture were infants told to, “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus…”

3. Calvinistic. Election and Predestination. Total Depravity. “Whosoever will let him come and take of the water of

life freely.” Rev 22:17

4. “The Lord opened her (Lydia’s) heart to respond to Paul’s message. She and her household were baptized.” Acts 16:14

5. The Jailer replied, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Then they spoke the Word of the Lord to him.. Acts 16:31

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Summary 1: John’s MissionMalachi prophesied concerning John the Baptist,

that He would come in the Spirit and Power of Elijah and to proclaim the coming Messiah!

"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Mal. 4:5-6

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Summary 2: Christ’s Mission

God sent His Son to the Jews, to heal their infirmities, teach them; by miracles to convince them that He was the Son of God, and the Messiah.

The earthly ministry of Jesus terminated at His ascension back to heaven. “I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Matt. 15:24

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Summary 3: Apostle’s Mission

Jesus sent the Apostles on a mission: “ Go you therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them…”

The ministry of the Apostles terminated at their death: “For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena.” 1 Cor. 4:9

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Summary 4: Holy Spirit’s Mission Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (whom the world

could not receive) to be a helper in the Christian dispensation. His mission was to comfort, to glorify Christ, to guide the apostles into all truth, to convince the world of sin, righteousness and of judgment by the preaching of the Inspired Word of God.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the hearts of honest souls, but will terminate at the second coming of Christ. 1Cor. 15:24

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An Invitation: Come!The Spirit and the Bride say, Come!

And let the one who hears say, Come! Let the one who is thirsty Come; and let the one who wishes take the gift of the

water of life freely. Rev. 22:17

Come—Lord Jesus! Amen!