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It was, in fact, the Reformation itself, combined with other factors (such as exploration and the rise of colonialism), that not only gave birth to Protestant missions but revitalized Roman Catholic missions by reaction.
It was, in fact, the Reformation itself, combined with other factors (such as exploration and the rise of colonialism), that not only gave birth to Protestant missions but revitalized Roman Catholic missions by reaction.
They saw their theology as the engine behind their efforts, not as an embarrassing obstacle.
engine behind their efforts, not as an embarrassing obstacle.
If we truly believe that
If we truly believe that many of the crowds turning out for a healing crusade in Uganda or Tulsa are filled with people who have an erroneous understanding of the gospel, we are in precisely the same position as the first Reformers, where “missions” and “evangelism” mean first recovering the biblical gospel.
many of the crowds turning out for a healing crusade in Uganda or Tulsa are filled with people who have an erroneous understanding of the gospel, we are in precisely the same position as the first Reformers, where “missions”...
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The evangelicals are not simply “off a little” on this or that emphasis; there is quite often these days a fundamentally different message, leading to methods and a general agenda that is at cross-purposes with biblical, historic Christianity.
The evangelicals are not simply “off a little” on this or that emphasis; there is quite often these days a fundamentally different message, leading to methods and a general agenda that is at cross-purposes with biblical, historic Christianity.
Churches are needed that simply spread the seed of the Word through preaching, seek to water those seeds by means of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and humbly pray for the Lord to grant growth.
Churches are needed that simply spread the seed of the Word through preaching, seek to water those seeds by means of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and humbly pray for the Lord to grant growth.
He dies in order to produce much fruit, and the fruit of His death is the salvation of men and women from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
He dies in order to produce much fruit, and the fruit of His death is the salvation of men and women from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue.
The true church of Jesus Christ resembles Him. This means that as He died to self in order to produce much fruit, so His church, in conformity to Him, dies to self in order to produce much fruit for His glory.
The true church of Jesus Christ resembles Him. This means that as He died to self in order to produce much fruit, so His church, in conformity to Him, dies to self in order to produce much fruit for His glory.
“The congregation that ignores mission will atrophy and soon find itself shattered by internal dissension. It will inevitably begin to lose its own young people, disillusioned by hearing the gospel trumpet sounded every Sunday for those who never march.”
“The congregation that ignores mission will atrophy and soon find itself shattered by internal dissension. It will inevitably begin to lose its own young people, disillusioned by hearing the gospel trumpet sounded every Sunday for those who never march.”
Thus, the biblical foundation for church planting is the glory of Christ Jesus our Lord.
If we are going to be missional and commissional churches, obeying our Lord’s command in Matthew 28, we need to be sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the twenty-first century.
to be sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the twenty-first century.
Thus, the sending of Paul and Barnabas was of the Holy Spirit’s initiation and sovereign choice.
What we learn from Paul’s experience is that while the internal call must be validated by the outward call, the internal call is tested and strengthened through ordinary means.
First, he was educated in the Word (cf. Acts 22:3). This applies today, as we need men trained at solid seminaries.
First, he was educated in the Word (cf. Acts 22:3). This applies today, as we need men trained at solid seminaries.
Second, he was passionate for a specific people group, the Jews, as Romans 9:2 and 10:1 testify.
Third, he was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. We see Paul suffering in many ways for the sake of Christ throughout the book of Acts, and he frequently writes of his sufferings in his letters.
The second thing that we learn from this text of Scripture is that the sovereign Spirit leads in where to send missionaries to plant congregations.
Therefore there is nothing better than to leave God the freedom and power to deem those, whom He pleases, worthy of His grace, or deprive them of it. And certainly since His eternal election is of grace, so must the calling, which flows from it, be considered of grace, and it is not founded on men, since it owes nothing to anyone. Accordingly let us realize that the Gospel comes forth to us from the one fountain of pure grace. However God does not lack a legitimate reason why He offers His Gospel to certain ones, but passes others by; but I maintain that the reason is hidden in His secret
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calling, which flows from it, be considered of grace, and it is not founded on men, since it owes nothing to anyone. Accordingly let us realize that the Gospel comes forth to us from the one fountain of pure grace. However God does not lack a legitimate reason why He offers His Gospel to certain ones, but passes others by; but I maintain that the reason is hidden in His secret purpose. In the meantime let believers know that they have been called gratuitously when others have been neglected, so that they may not ascribe to themselves what belongs to the mercy of God alone. On the other hand as
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We must simply say with John Calvin that it was the secret will of God why Paul, Silas, and Timothy were forbidden to preach in Asia and Bithynia, while it was the revealed will of God to preach in Macedonia.
To plant a biblical church is to send the man the Spirit has chosen, to the place He has chosen, to use the means He has chosen.
To plant a biblical church is to send the man the Spirit has chosen, to the place He has chosen, to use the means He has chosen.
The medieval church had failed in evangelizing Europe, and, hence, it remained a mission field.
Since Adam’s fall, all mankind is under the curse of sin and deserves God’s wrath and judgment. This is the foundational problem for mankind, and it is the raison d’être for Christian missions.
According to the Confession, the missionary task of the church finds its origin with God and His pity for fallen creatures.
Religious pluralism and inclusivism are some of the most deadly errors undermining the Christian missionary enterprise in our day.
The Reformed confessions rebuke both soft inclusivism and radical religious pluralism and establish the dire need for Christian mission.
According to the Belgic Confession, the Holy Scriptures are indispensable for salvation.
“What, therefore, neither the light of nature, nor the law could do, that God performs by the operation of His Holy Spirit through the word or ministry of reconciliation: which is the glad tidings concerning the Messiah, by means whereof it hath pleased God to save such as believe, as well under the Old as under the New Testament”
Our confessions teach us to be missional, but they also teach us that our missions must be ecclesio-centric.
We’re also individualists. We do not like to be told who we are and what we need by someone else—even God—but would much rather decide who we are or will be and determine our own felt needs accordingly.
An unsuccessful mission work can be the opportunity for many other opportunities.
Therefore, there is no higher priority in the church than worship; we were created and redeemed to worship God, and we don’t want to ever lose that focus.
