A. What Is Biblical Mission? “Biblical mission means more than simply going overseas to plant churches or spread civilization. It means the church participating in the ‘mission of God (Missio Dei)’ and seeking the restoration of God’s rule and glory throughout the whole earth. Mission is not a program that begins with human enthusiasm; rather, it is the heart of God that runs throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and is a fundamental reason for the church’s existence. Let me clearly summarize five essential principles of true mission as presented in Scripture. 🌍 1. The Mission of God (Missio Dei) The subject and initiator of mission is not human beings but God. In order to save fallen humanity, God first comes to us, sends His Son, and sends the Holy Spirit. He is the “missionary God” who sends. Biblical basis: “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” (John 20:21) Key meaning: The church acknowledges that God has the initiative in mission and serves as His agent, obed...
The Word became flesh (2) [John 1:1-4, 9-14] This is John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Here, “the Word” refers to Jesus Christ, God the Son. The words, “the Word was with God” (v. 1), mean that God the Father is the only one, and God the Son is with Him. The words “the Word was God” (v. 1) means that God the Father and the Son Jesus are equal to each other (Triune God). It is a rudimentary meditation on the triune God. Although the word “Triune God” does not appear in the Bible, the Bible testifies that God is the Triune God. The Bible says there is only one God: “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” (Deut. 6:4), “Now a mediator is not for one party...