Role of Human Agency in Evangelism and Missions
The Role of Human Agency in Evangelism and Missions
The concept of human agency in evangelism and missions is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the role of messengers and emissaries in spreading God's message. The term "angel" or "messenger" is used in various contexts to denote agents sent by God to execute His purposes [1]. In the New Testament, this concept is applied to apostles, prophets, and other church leaders who are commissioned to spread the Gospel.
The New Testament apostles were specially commissioned emissaries of Christ, tasked with evangelizing and establishing churches [4]. Jesus Himself sent out His disciples as messengers, instructing them to preach the Gospel and promising that those who received them received Him and, by extension, God who sent Him [5]. This principle underscores the importance of human agency in fulfilling the mission to spread the Gospel.
The role of human messengers in evangelism is further highlighted in the prophetic tradition. In Malachi, the prophet speaks of a "messenger" who prepares the way for the Lord, a figure later identified as John the Baptist by Jesus Himself [6]. This typology illustrates how human agents can be used by God to prepare the way for His redemptive work.
The understanding of human agency in evangelism and missions is also reflected in the interpretation of Revelation 14:6, where an angel is seen flying with the "everlasting Gospel." One interpretation is that this represents a particular dispensation of providence and grace, possibly referring to institutions or societies dedicated to spreading the Gospel worldwide, such as the British and Foreign Bible Society [2].
The New Testament church is described as being built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, emphasizing the foundational role of these early messengers in the establishment of the church [3]. The various roles within the church, including apostles, prophets, teachers, and those who speak in unknown languages, are seen as gifts from God, highlighting the diverse ways in which human agency is utilized in evangelism and missions [4].
The significance of human agency is not limited to the early church. The principle that "he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me" underscores the ongoing importance of human messengers in representing Christ and God in the world [5]. This principle encourages the reception and support of those sent to preach the Gospel, recognizing them as representatives of Christ.
The role of human agency in evangelism and missions is thus deeply rooted in biblical teachings and continues to be a vital aspect of Christian practice. The various traditions within Christianity, including Methodist/Wesleyan, Protestant academic, and Baptist/Reformed perspectives, all contribute to a rich understanding of this doctrine, emphasizing the importance of human messengers in fulfilling God's mission.
The biblical emphasis on the role of messengers and the commissioning of apostles and other leaders highlights the significance of human agency in spreading the Gospel. As the church continues to engage in evangelism and missions, it does so in continuity with the biblical tradition, recognizing the crucial role that human agents play in representing Christ and advancing God's kingdom.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Angel — A word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam. 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal. 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16, 17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps. 104:4). But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government”
- 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”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:28: 12:28-31 Paul lists some of the different individual roles given to people in the church (see also the list in 12:8-10; cp. Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:11). 12:28 Apostles are specially commissioned emissaries of Christ in the world (see also Eph 4:11). • Prophets speak a word from God (see 12:10 and corresponding study note; Eph 4:11; cp. Acts 13:1-2). • Teachers instruct others in the faith (Rom 12:7; Eph 4:11; cp. Acts 13:1). • those who speak in unknown languages: See study note on 12:10.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 13:20: Verily, verily, I say unto you,.... You may assure yourselves of the truth of what I am going to say, and which I say for your comfort and encouragement: he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me; I have sent you in my name to preach the Gospel; you are my ambassadors, and you will be honourably received by many; and which I shall regard and take notice of, and esteem, as though they had received me; even as my Father has sent me into this world, as a Saviour and Redeemer, a prophet, priest, and King; and ”
- Malachi (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Malachi 3:1: 3:1 my messenger (Hebrew mal’aki): This is a wordplay on Malachi’s name. The messenger may be either an angel or a human being functioning as a divine courier. Jesus identified John the Baptist by pointing to this passage (see Matt 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27). • Malachi’s audience probably would have understood the messenger of the covenant to be a divine being (cp. Exod 23:20-23). The Christian church has understood Jesus Christ to be the messenger of the new covenant.”