The book of Acts gives us a record of some of the early happenings of the church. It provides us with the necessary information we need to rightly divide the word of truth on the topic of Missions.

 The book of Joel contains a Prophesy which was fulfilled at the day of Pentecost as recorded in the second chapter of Acts. The Galileans were filled with the spirit and spake in tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. This was observed by men out of every nation under heaven (Acts 2:8,11). The list of people and nations mentioned were:  Parthian, Mede, Elamite, dwellers of Mesopotamia, Judean, and cappadocia, Asia, Phrygian, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Jews and Proselytes. From this outpouring of the Spirit it states that 3000 were added to the church. In chapter four its states there were five thousand men that believed and in chapter five its states  "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5:14). If only some of them joined the church, then the church quickly grew to several thousand people. We don't know for sure the exact number that became members. Regardless of the number it was a show of the great power and work of the Spirit of God.    "and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the lord Jesus. and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).  You may ask yourself whose great power? The Apostles? I think not! But they were blessed with the Spirit to witness in power and demonstration of the spirit.

The early church experienced persecution at Jerusalem and it was severe enough that in Chapter eight it records that they were scattered abroad.  It would be reasonable to assume that some of the ones scattered were from the places mentioned above (Acts 2). More than likely some went back to their home places to escape the persecution. Examine a map of the areas mentioned and you will find that it was the same places that the Apostle Paul later traveled to. You can start to see the need for biblical missions. True biblical missions have never been directed to the world in general but have always been to those God is pleased to enlighten. The scriptures say "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"(II cor 6:17).  There is no way you can do this and at the same time attempt to evangelize the world.

 Prior to the travels of Paul, there are several examples in the Book of Acts which show the manner in which God is pleased to spread his word. Each of these: Phillip at Samaria, Phillip and the Eunuch, Peter and Cornelius, Paul and Ananais are good examples of true missions. Each of these cases show the true nature of Biblical Missions and gives us the information to judge any mission plans of today. Each example was under direct influence of the Spirit. The God of Heaven was evident on both ends of the mission. No works of man, no church societies, no money supporting schemes and no glory for the Apostles.

 In the book of Acts there are five trips or missions that Paul undertook.  It is clearly recorded as to the intent and purpose of each of those trips. The first trip he was sent by the church, the second trip he was sent by the Spirit and the third and fourth trips were visitation trips to places he had already been. The fifth trip he was under guard and was carried to Rome to appear before Caesar's court.

 The first trip was a mission to send relief to the Saints at Jerusalem (Acts 11:28,30). The saints at Jerusalem were in need of temporal things due to a dearth and the church at Antioch chose and sent Barnabas and Saul to convey the things given by the Brethren at Antioch.  This was a humanitarian mission carried out by the Church at Jerusalem and gives us an example that we may follow in like circumstances. I might add that I don't believe that it authorizes us to add charitable organizations to the make up of our churches for the purpose of outreaches to the world in general. Although it is a good work for any person to assist charitable organizations and be free hearted in giving to deserving people in need. The example under consideration was a work of the church to their own brethren of like faith and sets no precedence for us to have organizations attached to the church.

 The second trip or mission undertaken by Paul is recorded in the book of Acts chapter 13. I believe this is a record of Paul being set aside as a minister of the Word. It is recorded that they lay hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them away. To get a clear picture of who did the calling and who did the sending examine Act 13:2,4 " As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they (church) had fasted and prayed, and laid their (ministers) hands on them, they sent them away. So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

This mission was a particular work (trip or mission) that the Spirit had called Paul to do. It was not an ongoing endeavor by Paul to carrying out the great commission. The conclusion and fulfillment of this mission by Paul is recorded in Acts 14:26. "And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled."

 The third trip or mission was for the purpose of visiting the places Paul had traveled to on his second mission. " And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. (Acts 15:36)  During this revisiting of the churches and Brethren they also delivered decrees from the church at Jerusalem and it was said that the churches were established and increased in number daily. Even during this visit the spirit was very active in directing Paul's travels. The Spirit hindered him from going into Asia but gave him a vision of going into Macedonia. The important point to understand here is that the intent of Paul going on this third trip or mission was to visit and strengthen the brethren in every city that he had previously preached. It was not a mission to spread the Gospel or implement the great commission to all nations and people.

 The fourth trip or mission was for the same reason as the third one. It was to visit and strengthen the disciples they had already preached to. "And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples." (Acts 18:23)

 The fifth trip or mission as mentioned was due to Paul appealing to Caesar. He didn't just decide to further the Spread of the Gospel in Rome. He was carried there under arrest!  But the Lord used the situation Paul was in to minister to the brethren in Rome also. It was not just a coincidence that in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, there were people from all nations including Rome. It becomes clear that Paul was not about the business of fulfilling the Great Commission, as some would have you believe but he preached where the Spirit led him.   

In each of these trips it is plainly shown that Paul was guided by the Spirit in every contact that he endeavored to make. It is also clear that his trips were not intended to be evangelizing efforts as it is now taught by the world and some among us also are beginning to teach. The term Evangelist means "a preacher of the Gospel". It does not mean one that makes disciples of the world. Every called preacher should do the work of an evangelist as Paul exhorted Timothy to do. If we are blessed to preach the Gospel in power and demonstration of the spirit in every place directed by the Spirit then we are doing the work of an Evangelist. It just simply means one is preaching the Gospel. It does not mean one must be reaching out to the world and trying to make disciples in order to be doing the work of an evangelist.

  

Elder Claude Mckee
1497 Bailee Way S. W.
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265