God's Global Purpose in Cross-Cultural Evangelism and Missions

The concept of God's global purpose in cross-cultural evangelism and missions is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the universal scope of God's salvation plan. According to Ephesians 3:6, the gospel is for the nations to be "joint-heirs, and a joint-body and joint-sharers of His promise in Christ" ^[2]. This passage underscores the inclusive nature of God's plan, extending beyond Israel to encompass people from all nations.

The biblical basis for global evangelism is further reinforced by Jesus' instruction to his disciples to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19, not directly quoted but referenced in ^[6]). The gospel is described as a traveler that has commenced its journey in Judea and is rapidly spreading throughout the world, proclaiming glad tidings to all people (Colossians 1:6, as interpreted by Adam Clarke ^[4]).

The book of Revelation contains apocalyptic visions that include the global proclamation of the gospel. Revelation 14:6 describes an angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on earth. Adam Clarke interprets this as potentially referring to a particular dispensation of providence and grace by which the gospel shall be rapidly sent throughout the whole world ^[3]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown understand this passage as indicating that before the end, the gospel is to be preached as a witness unto all nations, providing them with the opportunity to decide for or against Christ ^[5].

The theological underpinning of God's global purpose is tied to the unity of God and the role of Jesus Christ as the one Mediator between God and humanity. As stated in 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus" ^[7]. This unity and the universal offer of grace are seen as a basis for praying for all people, as God's unity in essence and purpose comprehends all human children alike in His offer of grace.

The eschatological dimension of God's global purpose is highlighted in the expectation that the gospel will be preached in all the world before the end comes. John Gill, commenting on Matthew 24:14, notes that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come ^[6]. This global proclamation is seen as a fulfillment of God's purpose to make known His manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms through the church (Ephesians 3:10) ^[1].

The diversity of interpretations among Christian traditions is evident in their understanding of the scope and timing of God's global purpose. While all agree on the universal scope of the gospel, differences arise in how they interpret the biblical prophecies regarding the end times and the role of the church in fulfilling God's global purpose.

The concept of God's global purpose in cross-cultural evangelism and missions is thus deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a driving force behind Christian missionary efforts throughout history. As the gospel continues to spread across cultures and nations, it remains a testament to God's universal love and redemption plan for humanity.

The unity of believers across nations is also seen as a crucial aspect of God's global purpose. Jesus prayed that his disciples might be one, even as He and the Father are one, that the world may believe that the Father sent Him (John 17:21) ^[8]. This unity is not just a practical expression of Christian fellowship but a theological statement about the nature of God's people and their witness to the world.

Sources

Ephesians “Ephesians 3:10 (BSB) — His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,”
Ephesians “Ephesians 3:6 (LITV) — for the nations to be joint-heirs, and a joint-body and joint-sharers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,”
Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:6: Another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel - Whether this angel mean any more than a particular dispensation of providence and grace, by which the Gospel shall be rapidly sent throughout the whole world; or whether it mean any especial messenger, order of preachers, people, or society of Christians, whose professed object it is to send the Gospel of the kingdom throughout the earth, we know not. But the vision seems truly descriptive of a late institution, entitled The British and Foreign Bible Society, whose object it is to print an”
Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:6: Which is come unto you - The doctrine of the Gospel is represented as a traveler, whose object it is to visit the whole habitable earth; and, having commenced his journey in Judea, had proceeded through Syria and through different parts of Asia Minor, and had lately arrived at their city, every where proclaiming glad tidings of great joy to all people. As it is in all the world - So rapid is this traveler in his course, that he had already gone nearly through the whole of the countries under the Roman dominion; and will travel on till he has proclaimed his messag”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 14:6: Here begins the portion relating to the Gentile world, as the former portion related to Israel. Before the end the Gospel is to be preached for a WITNESS unto all nations: not that all nations shall be converted, but all nations shall have had the opportunity given them of deciding whether they will be for, or against, Christ. Those thus preached to are "they that dwell (so A, Coptic, and Syriac read. But B, C, ORIGEN, Vulgate, CYPRIAN, 312, read, 'SIT,' compare Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79, having their settled home) on the earth," being of earth earthy: th”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 24:14: And this Gospel of the kingdom,.... Which Christ himself preached, and which he called and sent his apostles to preach, in all the cities of Judah; by which means men were brought into the kingdom of the Messiah, or Gospel dispensation; and which treated both of the kingdom of grace and glory, and pointed out the saints' meetness for the kingdom of heaven, and their right unto it, and gives the best account of the glories of it: shall be preached in all the world; not only in Judea, where it was now confined, and that by the express orders of Christ himself; but i”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 2:5: For there is one God--God's unity in essence and purpose is a proof of His comprehending all His human children alike (created in His image) in His offer of grace (compare the same argument from His unity, Rom 3:30; Gal 3:20); therefore all are to be prayed for. Ti1 2:4 is proved from Ti1 2:5; Ti1 2:1, from Ti1 2:4. The one God is common to all (Isa 45:22; Act 17:26). The one Mediator is mediator between God and all men potentially (Rom 3:29; Eph 4:5-6; Heb 8:6; Heb 9:15; Heb 12:24). They who have not this one God by one Mediator, have none: literall”
John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:21: that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us--The indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son is the one perfect bond of union, knitting up into a living unity, first all believers amongst themselves; next, this unity into one still higher, with the Father and the Son. (Observe, that Christ never mixes Himself up with His disciples as He associates Himself with the Father, but says I in THEM and THEY in US). that the world may believe that thou hast sent me--sentest me. So the grand impression upon th”

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