Christ's Presence in Ministry and Mission in the Gospels
Christ's Presence in Ministry and Mission in the Gospels
The Gospels portray Jesus Christ as the central figure in the fulfillment of God's mission to humanity. His presence is deeply intertwined with his ministry and mission, as evident in the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The term "Gospel" itself, or "evangelion" in Greek, signifies the good news about Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of his person and work [1].
Jesus' ministry commenced with the proclamation of the kingdom of God, and his presence was marked by the power of the Holy Spirit. According to Luke 4:14, "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit," indicating the Spirit's role in empowering his ministry. This empowerment is further highlighted in Matthew 12:28 and Luke 11:20, where Jesus attributes his ability to cast out demons to the Spirit of God [2].
The Gospels also underscore Jesus' role as a prophet, priest, and king. As a prophet, he preached the good news of the kingdom; as a priest, he offered himself as a sacrifice and intercedes for his people; and as a king, he reigns over his Church and all things in its behalf. This threefold office is crucial for understanding Christ's presence in his ministry and mission [4].
The presence of Christ is not limited to his earthly ministry. After his resurrection and ascension, he continued to be present through his Spirit and through the ministry of his apostles and other followers. The apostle Paul, in Romans 15:19, speaks of his ministry being "in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit," demonstrating the ongoing presence and power of Christ in the lives of believers and in the spread of the Gospel [5].
The concept of Christ's presence is also closely tied to the idea of ministry and mission. The term "minister" or "diakonos" in Greek, refers to one who serves or ministers to others. Jesus himself is described as a minister of the circumcision, and his apostles are sent out to continue his ministry [6, 7].
In the view of some traditions, the presence of Christ in ministry and mission is understood through the lens of his threefold office. For instance, John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, emphasizes Christ's role as the Son of God and the centrality of his person and work in the Gospel ministry [8].
The Gospels also highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering Jesus' ministry and the ministry of his followers. The Spirit's presence is seen in the conception of Christ, his baptism, and his subsequent ministry [2]. This emphasis on the Spirit's role underscores the dynamic and relational nature of Christ's presence in ministry and mission.
The early Christian community understood itself to be continuing Christ's mission and ministry. The apostles, as ambassadors for Christ, were entrusted with the message of reconciliation and were empowered by the Spirit to fulfill this task [3, 6]. The presence of Christ was thus experienced through the community's proclamation, service, and fellowship.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of the Holy Spirit, The — Is the power of God -- Mt 12:28; Lu 11:20. Christ commenced his ministry in -- Lu 4:14. Christ wrought his miracles by -- Mt 12:28. Exhibited in Creation. -- Ge 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. The conception of Christ. -- Lu 1:35. Raising Christ from the dead. -- 1Pe 3:18. Giving spiritual life. -- Eze 37:11-14; Ro 8:11. Working miracles. -- Ro 15:19. Making the gospel efficacious. -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Overcoming all difficulties. -- Zec 4:6,7. Promised by the Father. -- Lu 24:49. Promised by Christ. -- Ac 1:8. Saints Upheld by. -- Ps 51:12”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Ministers — Ambassadors for Christ -- 2Co 5:20. Angels of the Church -- Re 1:20; 2:1. Apostles -- Lu 6:13; Eph 4:11; Re 18:20. Apostles of Jesus Christ -- Tit 1:1. Bishops -- Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1; Tit 1:7. Deacons -- Ac 6:1; 1Ti 3:8; Php 1:1. Elders -- 1Ti 5:17; 1Pe 5:1. Evangelists -- Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5. Fishers of men -- Mt 4:19; Mr 1:17. Labourers -- Mt 9:38; Phm 1:1; 1Th 2:2. Messengers of the church -- 2Co 8:2,3. Messengers of the Lord of hosts -- Mal 2:7. Ministers of God -- 2Co 6:4. Ministers of the Lord -- Joe 1:17. Ministers of Christ -- Ro 15”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Romans “in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; -- Romans 15:19”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
- Romans “Romans 15:16 (Geneva1599) — That I should be the minister of Iesus Christ toward the Gentiles, ministring the Gospel of God, that the offering vp of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost.”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:19: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,.... The apostle having asserted that the Gospel preached by them was not yea and nay, variable and different, or what was affirmed at one time was denied at another, proceeds to point out the subject of the Gospel ministry, the Son of God, Jesus Christ; that Christ is "the Son of God": this article he began his ministry with, Act 9:20, and all the apostles affirmed the same thing; and which is of the greatest moment and importance, and ought to be abode by, insisted on, and frequently inculcated; as that he is the eternal Son”