Role of Human Cooperation in Evangelism and Missions
The Role of Human Cooperation in Evangelism and Missions
The concept of human cooperation in evangelism and missions is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of believers working together with God to spread the Gospel. In Philippians 1:5, the apostle Paul thanks God for the Philippian believers' "fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now" [1]. This fellowship is not merely a passive association but an active participation in sharing the Good News.
The unity of believers is seen as a crucial factor in the effectiveness of their mission. Jesus prayed that his disciples might be one, just as he and the Father are one, "that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21) [2]. This unity is not merely an organizational or structural unity but a spiritual one, achieved through the indwelling Spirit of the Father and the Son.
The New Testament writers often highlighted the role of human cooperation in spreading the Gospel. For example, John, while in exile on the island of Patmos, was still considered a "brother and partner" to other Christians, sharing a sense of community with them in suffering and hope (Revelation 1:9) [3]. This sense of partnership and cooperation is a recurring theme in the New Testament.
The early Christian church is described as being "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20) [4]. While Christ is the foundation, the apostles and prophets played a crucial role in laying this foundation through their ministry. Similarly, the generosity of Gentile churches towards the poor saints in Jerusalem was seen as a demonstration of their "fellowship" and "subjection to the Gospel of Christ" (2 Corinthians 9:13) [5].
The book of Hebrews encourages believers to continue offering "sacrifices" of praise, prayer, and charity, emphasizing that these acts are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16) [6]. This call to action underscores the importance of human cooperation in the mission of spreading the Gospel.
Different Christian traditions have understood the role of human cooperation in evangelism and missions in various ways. While some emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation, others stress the importance of human agency. The Presbyterian tradition, for example, highlights the role of believers in participating in the Gospel through their "fellowship" and "liberality" [1]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition emphasizes the importance of the church being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone [4].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on Hebrews, stresses the importance of believers offering "sacrifices" of praise, prayer, and charity as a demonstration of their faith [6]. These diverse perspectives highlight the complexity and richness of the biblical teaching on human cooperation in evangelism and missions.
The historical development of the doctrine of human cooperation in evangelism and missions is closely tied to the spread of Christianity throughout history. As the early church faced persecution and challenges, believers continued to cooperate with one another and with God to spread the Gospel. This cooperation was often demonstrated through acts of charity, prayer, and evangelism.
Sources
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:5: Ground of his "thanking God" (Phi 1:3): "For your (continued) fellowship (that is, real spiritual participation) in (literally, 'in regard to') the Gospel from the first day (of your becoming partakers in it) until now." Believers have the fellowship of the Son of God (Co1 1:9) and of the Father (Jo1 1:3) in the Gospel, by becoming partakers of "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost" (Co2 13:14), and exercise that fellowship by acts of communion, not only the communion of the Lord's Supper, but holy liberality to brethren and ministers (Phi 4:10, Phi 4:”
- 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”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 1:9: 1:9-11 This third introduction (see study note on 1:1-11) is historical; it shows God communicating with humanity in historical events. God gave John a significant mission while in exile. 1:9 your brother and your partner: Though separated from other Christians by his imprisonment, John shared a sense of community with them in suffering, based on hope in God’s Kingdom and a willingness to endure. • The Roman fortress on the island of Patmos housed prisoners and exiles. Patmos was in a group of islands that protected the thriving seaport of Miletus. • for preach”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2:20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,.... The prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New, who agree in laying ministerially the one and only foundation, Jesus Christ; for not the persons of the apostles and prophets, nor their doctrines merely, are here meant; but Christ who is contained in them, and who is the foundation on which the church, and all true believers are built: he is the foundation of the covenant of grace, of all the blessings and promises of it, of faith and hope, of peace, joy, and comfort, of salvation an”
- 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”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 13:16: But to do good and to communicate - These are continual sacrifices which God requires, and which will spring from a sense of God's love in Christ Jesus. Praise to God for his unspeakable gift, and acts of kindness to men for God's sake. No reliance, even on the infinitely meritorious sacrifice of Christ, can be acceptable in the sight of God if a man have not love and charity towards his neighbor. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, with works of charity and mercy to man, are the sacrifices which every genuine follower of Christ must offer: and they are the p”