MISSIONS 2000
By
Dr. O. Wilburn Swaim
Declaring
what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them (Acts 15:12b).
As I lack any artistic talent, no one would
ever ask me to draw a picture for public display. Likewise, to serve the Lord,
one needs a spiritual talent, called a “Gift.” It is simply the Holy Spirit’s
enabling of a believer for some ministry. Missionary is one such gift. (You’ll
not find a gift entitled “Missionary,” listed in scripture. It is the name we
have chosen in this modern era. The gift, however, does exist.)
What then is the work of a missionary? In
Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit says, “...For the work whereunto I have called
them.” We learn the identity of that
work, in
First, it is Evangelism, soul
winning...getting folks saved (v. 21). Missionaries are neither sent forth to
teach agriculture, nor to reform the native society. They are sent to call
sinners to Christ for salvation. Evangelists do the same, but they are not missionaries.
It is the sole work of an Evangelist; but, only a part of the missionary’s
total ministry. It is the first ministry of a Missionary.
Secondly, in verse 22, they are to provide
the tools for the spiritual growth and strengthening of the converts. It is the
“Teaching” of Mt. 28:20a. Whether done through Sunday School,
Bible school, or any other principled ministry, it must be a major portion of
the overall work. We are not instructed specifically how to do it. The command
is specific, but the method is flexible. Neither choirs, Sunday schools,
Thursday night visitation, nor the time, or number of times, we are to meet on
Sunday--not even Sunday morning services--are specifically spelled out. We have
much freedom in organization to do what works. Only, that our
ministries must be principled by the Word of God.
Thirdly, is church planting.
Verse 23 records how they organized the converts into a local church, as the
ordaining of elders (pastors) would be the final step. Missions
is evangelism leading to the establishing of a local church. Nothing
else is true Biblical Missions! Rescue Missions, Bible camps, radio broadcasts,
etc., are good ministries, and worthy of support. But they are not , by definition, missions. The churches should be the
ones who conduct, and pay for, such ministries. The local church is God’s only
program for our day. All Christian service is Biblically done, when under the
authority of, and for the building up of, a local church.
Lastly, the Apostles reported back to the
sending church (vs. 26-28), and took some time to recuperate, and prepare for
the next expedition.
This is the true exercise of the spiritual
gift of Missionary.
For your future consideration: Eph. 4:11
lists the gifts (the gifted people) God gives to the local church. Which gift
is that which is exercised by the missionary? Which one(s) of them may be
received by a woman? Which gift (gifted person), counted so necessary in our
churches, is missing from the list?
Missions
done fully God’s way will have God’s full blessings! W.Swaim