What the Bible Actually Says About Missions

What the Bible Actually Says About Missions

The modern church has diluted the word "missions" into meaninglessness. In many circles, it now refers to any good deed, service trip, or lifestyle evangelism. Churches host "missions Sundays" and assert that "everyone is a missionary"—a statement that, if true, would make the actual missionary calling obsolete.

But biblically, missions is something specific. And it is not for everyone.

When Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), the Greek phrase πάντα τὰ ἔθνη (panta ta ethnē) is often misunderstood as simply referring to countries or places. But ἔθνη (ethnē, Strong’s G1484) refers not to modern political states, but to ethnolinguistic people groups—the distinct cultures and tribes scattered across the earth.

This isn’t just geography; it’s anthropology. Jesus didn’t commission His followers to go to places—He commissioned them to reach peoples. When we approach this text with the same who, what, when, where, and why that we apply in sound exegesis elsewhere, it becomes clear that this was not a generic command for Christian activity—it was a targeted commissioning.

The scope was global, the strategy was people-focused, and the authority was apostolic. That’s why this passage is more accurately described as the Apostolic Commission—a divine sending of specific men with Spirit-empowered authority to make obedient disciples from every tribe, tongue, and nation. It is not a generalized Christian slogan—it is the marching order of the church’s foundation layer.

The early church did not claim that all believers were missionaries. In fact, Scripture teaches the opposite. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, rhetorically asks:

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” (1 Corinthians 12:29–30).

The obvious answer is no. Likewise, not all are sent as missionaries. The Greek word ἀπόστολος (apostolos, Strong’s G652) means “one who is sent”—and not all believers carry that sending. The missionary calling, like any spiritual gift or office, is distributed by the Holy Spirit as He wills (1 Cor. 12:11), not as we brand or broadcast.

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were set apart for missionary work not by ambition or application, but by the Spirit of God: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” (Acts 13:2). Then—and only then—did the church lay hands on them and send them. They were commissioned through prayer, fasting, and obedience—not platform, publicity, or pretense.

Contrast that with much of what passes for missions today. We've replaced fasting with fundraising, calling with content creation, and boldness with branding. We've turned a commission into a career path—and in doing so, we've gutted its power.

Missions in Scripture was costly. It involved risk, rejection, and the relinquishing of comfort. The apostles were imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and martyred. They preached with clarity, not compromise. They carried a message that got them thrown out of synagogues and stoned in public squares. No one mistook them for influencers.

The sentiment that "we're all missionaries" sounds democratic and inspirational, but it's biblically inaccurate and theologically lazy. It's like saying we're all pastors, or we're all evangelists, or we're all prophets—despite the clear biblical teaching that the body is made up of distinct members with differing gifts (1 Cor. 12:14–21).

To be clear: all believers are called to witness. All are called to share the gospel as they go. But not all are called or sent as missionaries. That role is distinct. When we conflate it with general obedience, we rob it of its seriousness—and we minimize the weight of that calling on those whom God truly sends.

The early church didn’t market missions; they obeyed the Spirit and went. No programs. No conferences. No websites. They walked out the gospel with bare feet and bold hearts. Today, we’ve swapped fire for fog machines, testimony for stage time, and obedience for applause.

A missionary is not someone with a passport and an Instagram reel. A missionary is someone sent by the Spirit, affirmed by the church, and willing to lose their life for the gospel. Anything less is just a trip.

Jesus didn’t say, “Go and be liked.” He didn’t say, “Go and build a following.” He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). The word used here—μαθητεύσατε (mathēteusate, imperative form of mathētēs, Strong’s G3100)—does not mean to gain followers, but to make obedient learners of Christ. It’s a call to lifelong surrender, not temporary inspiration.

If you are not willing to obey this command—or if you twist it to mean something vague, comfortable, or self-congratulatory—then you are not walking in the footsteps of the apostles, nor of the Savior who sent them.

We do not need more missionaries in name only. We need Spirit-sent, Scripture-saturated, gospel-anchored, Christ-exalting, cross-carrying servants who understand that being sent means suffering, surrender, and sacrifice.

Because in the end, missions isn’t a program. It’s a death sentence to self—and a resurrection into the mission of Christ.