Mission, Witness, and the Coming of the Spirit

Abstract

Abstract The Christian missionary movement is currently suffering something of a malaise, while the scriptural teaching on "mission," which might serve as a corrective to this weakness, has not been at the forefront of biblical studies. This essay examines the significance of Jesus' mission in Luke's Gospel and Acts 1–3 to determine if and how it may impact on our own mission and witness. During Jesus' earthly ministry the foundational mission in Luke was his own sending by God to Israel. The twelve and the seventy-two were intimately involved with him in his mission and played a key role. After his death and resurrection the way was opened for repentance and forgiveness of sins to be proclaimed in Jesus' name to all the nations. His mission was now effected by his "witnesses" bearing testimony to Israel (the twelve are the nucleus of the restored Israel), then to Judea and Samaria, and on to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). Those gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost represent "all Israel"; Peter's testimony was given to the people of God. Yet there are clear indications in the narrative of Acts 2 that the coming of the Spirit on a renewed and cleansed Israel would ultimately point forward to universal blessing. Those who have accepted the testimony of the apostolic eyewitnesses are themselves able to bear testimony to Jesus' death, resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins. The open-endedness of Acts reminds us of an unfinished task and encourages us to be committed to the ongoing missio Dei.