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The Missionary Work of the Disciples in the New Testament

The missionary work of the disciples in the New Testament is rooted in Jesus's commission to spread the Gospel, a task that evolved from their initial training to a broader, Spirit-directed endeavor [2]. The term "disciple" generally refers to a follower of Christ who believes his doctrine, relies on his sacrifice, embodies his spirit, and imitates his example [3]. While the term could also apply to followers of John the Baptist or the Pharisees, its primary New Testament usage is for Christ's followers [3].

Jesus actively engaged in missionary work, preaching and healing throughout Galilee [2, 9]. He then sent his disciples to participate in this work, first commissioning the twelve apostles [2]. The word "apostle" (Greek: apostolos) means "one sent forth" [1]. Initially, this title was given to the twelve whom Jesus chose to preach the gospel and accompany him [1]. Their names are listed in Matthew 10:2-4, where Christ also gives them a charge [1]. This selection of twelve was significant, recalling the twelve tribes of Israel and indicating Jesus's appointment of new leaders for God's people under his messianic reign [11]. Jesus granted them authority to perform ministries, such as casting out evil spirits and healing, which Jewish leaders could not accomplish [11]. Mark refers to Jesus's disciples as apostles during their mission to emphasize their new status as those "sent out" [6].

Later, Jesus sent out seventy-two others, expanding the scope of his missionary force (Luke 10:1-11) [2]. This early missionary activity involved preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick, demonstrating the disciples' participation in Jesus's own ministry [2]. The disciples were sent to "reap" where they had not "labored," meaning they were to declare the Messiah's arrival to those who had been prepared by the prophets [10].

After Jesus's resurrection, the scope of the disciples' mission broadened significantly. The Great Commission, recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, commands them to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" [2]. This commission encompasses both missionary outreach to convert people and pastoral instruction to build up believers [7]. The promise of Christ's presence "always, even unto the end of the world" underscores the enduring nature of this mission [7].

The Holy Spirit played a crucial role in directing and empowering the disciples' missionary work [2]. For instance, the Holy Spirit explicitly called for Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to be set apart for missionary service (Acts 13:2) [2]. Paul, in particular, saw himself as a "minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles," ministering the gospel so that the Gentiles might become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16) [5]. The success of this ministration led to the glorification of God as people subjected themselves to the Gospel of Christ [8].

The New Testament also uses the term "apostle" in a broader sense to refer to Christian messengers and teachers beyond the original twelve, as seen in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and Philippians 2:25 [1]. Apostles are understood as missionary evangelists commissioned by God, forming the foundation of the church alongside prophets [12]. The early church devoted itself to the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42) [4]. This indicates that the apostles' teaching formed a core element of the early Christian community's life and growth. The missionary work of the disciples, therefore, was not merely an initial outreach but a foundational and ongoing aspect of the church's identity and expansion.

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — (one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider circle of Christian messengers and teachers See (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 2:25) It is only of those who were officially designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names are given in (Matthew 10:2-4) and Christ's charge to them in the r”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionary Work By Ministers — Commanded -- Mt 28:19; Mr 16:15. Warranted by predictions concerning the heathen, &c -- Isa 42:10-12; 66:19. Is according to the purpose of God -- Lu 24:46,47; Ga 1:15,16; Col 1:25-27. Directed by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2. Required -- Lu 10:2; Ro 10:14,15. The Holy Spirit calls to -- Ac 13:2. Christ engaged in -- Mt 4:17,23; 11:1; Mr 1:38,39; Lu 8:1. Christ sent his disciples to labour in -- Mr 3:14; 6:7; Lu 10:1-11. Obligations to engage in -- Ac 4:19,20; Ro 1:13-15; 1Co 9:16. Excellency of -- Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15. Worldly concerns sho”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Disciple — A scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Matt. 9:14), and of the Pharisees (22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matt. 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69).”
  4. Acts “Acts 2:42 (LEB) — And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.”
  5. Romans “Romans 15:16 (NASB) — to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”
  6. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:30: 6:30-44 The disciples’ mission concludes (6:6-13, 30-34), followed by the account of the feeding of the 5,000 (6:35-44; see also Matt 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15). The feeding of the 4,000 is sufficiently different to indicate that these were two separate occasions (see Mark 8:1-10). 6:30 Mark calls Jesus’ disciples apostles here to indicate their new status as those who had been sent out (see study note on 3:14-15) and to avoid possible confusion between them and John the Baptist’s disciples. • The apostles reported the success of what they had done and tau”
  7. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 28:20: Teaching them--This is teaching in the more usual sense of the term; or instructing the converted and baptized disciples. to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I--The "I" here is emphatic. It is enough that I am with you alway--"all the days"; that is, till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian instruction, shall be no more. even unto the end of the world. Amen--This glorious Commission embraces two primary departments, the Missionary and the Pastoral, with two sublime and comprehensive Encourag”
  8. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
  9. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:6: 6:6–8:21 Jesus’ mission and the disciples’ misunderstanding are prominent themes in this section. 6:6 This summary of Jesus’ healing and preaching ministry introduces an account concerning the disciples. Jesus’ teaching from village to village probably took place around the Sea of Galilee and perhaps in Capernaum (see 2:1).”
  10. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 4:38: I sent you to reap,.... To preach the Gospel, and gather in souls by your ministry; referring to the mission of them in Mat 10:6; that whereon ye bestowed no labour; being sent to the Jews, who had the writings of the prophets, and were versed in them; and had learned from them that the Messiah was to come, and were now in general expectation of him; so that they had nothing more to do, than to declare to those persons who were cultivated by the prophets, and were like to ground tilled and manured, that the Messiah was come, and the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Ot”
  11. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:1: 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples as workers in the harvest (9:37-38). The choice of twelve is not accidental—it recalls the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus was appointing new leaders for the new people of God under his reign as Messiah (16:18-19; 18:18; 19:28; 21:43). • gave them authority (9:6-8; 28:18): Jesus enabled the Twelve to perform ministries that the Jewish leaders could not accomplish (9:32-34; 10:5-8). The authority to cast out evil spirits (8:28) and to heal are ascribed to Jesus (4:23; 8:1–9:35) in similar terms.”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:20: 2:20 Apostles are missionary evangelists commissioned by God. • Here, the prophets appear to be New Testament prophets, not Old Testament ones (see 3:5; 4:11; see also 1 Cor 12:10, 28-29; 14:1-5, 22-24, 29-32, 39; cp. Acts 13:1; 19:6; 21:9-10). In both the Old Testament and New Testament, prophets are not primarily predictors of the future but are empowered to speak a message from God (see 1 Cor 12:10). • The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (or on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets)—that is, on their faithful wit”
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