A Biblical Theology of Mission (The Message of the Gospel)

That the church has an obligation to proclaim the gospel to every nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is without question. But what is the gospel message that we are to proclaim.

We find help in this regard in the gospel proclamations recorded (most likely summarized) in Acts:

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him… ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:22-24,38)

³⁶ You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

³⁹ “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, ⁴⁰ but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. ⁴¹ He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:36-43)

²⁶ “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. ²⁷ The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. ²⁸ Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. ²⁹ When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead, ³¹ and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people… ³⁸ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (Acts 13:26-31,38,39)

The critical parts of the gospel or good news message are:

Jesus Is God’s Appointed Sovereign Sent to Rescue Us

The message falls short of claiming that Jesus is God the Son, but claims his role as “Lord of all,” “accredited by God,” and “judge of the living and dead.” The message is about him. For the Jews he is identified as the Messiah, anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Was Unjustly Killed but God Raised Him from the Dead

Jesus’ death is not explained as a sacrificial one, but an unjust one. It was not deemed essential to register his death as the basis for forgiveness. His resurrection was always a crucial part of the message. He is the living Lord.

Forgiveness Is Available Through Faith in His Name

The way Jesus rescues us is by providing forgiveness for our transgressions against the Holy God. And it is obtained by trusting in Jesus himself.

It certainly does not seem wrong to add in our presentation of the gospel that Jesus is God, though this is a more complicated notion to explain. And it would not be wrong to explain the substitutionary sacrifice his death accomplished, something it is likely Philip’s explanation of Isaiah 53 to the Ethiopian eunuch included. But again that is more complicated. The essentials are Jesus’ sovereignty, his death and resurrection, and forgiveness in his name by trusting him.

Surely our cry must be, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16, NIV).