The Bible and Missions

Outline ch. 2

49 h Outline Chapter 2 AIM: To show that the missionary principles laid down in the Old Testament are fully revealed in the New in the fundamental teachings of Jesus; in his life; and in his commands to his disciples; and that these principles are exemplified in the life of the Apostolic Church. Rooted in the Old Testament, the New blossoms with glorious intimations of universality in the very setting of Jesus’ life. Its missionary message is found, I. In the Two Fundamental Revelations of Jesus 1. His disclosure of God the Father, transcendent as well as immanent; righteous as well as loving; just as well as forgiving; fatherly to all men; a Father to his filial sons 2. His teaching about the kingdom of heaven a. Kingdom of heaven no new idea b. Cherished as noblest hope of Judaism c. Nature of Christ’s teachings about the coming of the kingdom—not by revolution, but by silent transformation; not a national privilege, but a universal hope d. The kingdom at hand—Why then does it tarry? It need not tarry 50 / The Bible and Missions e. The delayed triumph of the kingdom implied in his parables f. How pass the long night of waiting? With loyal obedience, subordination of all else to the kingdom; with calm confidence in the ultimate triumph of the kingdom; with eager longing for its speedy consummation II. In the Life and Direct Commands of Jesus 1. Jesus was himself a missionary a. His first evangelizing tour—woman of Samaria; seed sowing and harvest b. Choice of twelve disciples c. Training and sending out of the twelve d. enlarging circles of ministry e. establishing a base line for the gospel 2. Missionary commands of Jesus a. Missionary message not dependent on spoken command, but inherent in the gospel b. Command four times repeated,—twice in Upper Room; on a hill top; just before his ascension III. In the Apostolic Teachings and Life of Church a. Acts, the great textbook of missions—expansion of church; strategy of occupation; demand for heroism b. Paul’s statement of missionary principles c. emergence of missionary finance d. Lay ministry in the early church e. Prominence of women f. Fraternal and missionary spirit g. Missionary program of early church: An uplifted Christ; audacity of faith; participation in the task; reliance upon spiritual means; willingness to suffer or die; a buoyant hopefulness h. Missionary message of the apocalypse: written during terrible persecutions to encourage believers; presents Christ’s triumphant kingdom; social passion of Christianity; doom of materialistic civilization; shining vision of New Jerusalem ...