Bible Verses about Missions and Evangelism

Evangelism and missions are central to the message of the Bible. God’s calling to spread His Word to the nations is woven throughout the scriptures, urging believers to take the Gospel beyond their communities and into the world. This article will explore key Bible verses that highlight the significance of missions and evangelism, underscoring the divine call to reach every corner of the earth with the Good News.

1. The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20

One of the most famous passages on evangelism and missions is found in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission:

“Go therefore and 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 that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

These words of Jesus emphasize the global nature of the mission: all nations are to hear the Gospel. The call to make disciples goes beyond geographical boundaries, making this passage a foundational verse for evangelism and missions. It is a direct command to Christians to spread the message of salvation and make disciples worldwide.

2. The Apostles’ Mission – Acts 1:8

Before His ascension, Jesus gave His apostles a further promise and instruction in Acts 1:8:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

This verse highlights the progressive scope of the mission: from the local area (Jerusalem) to the surrounding regions (Judea and Samaria) and finally to the ends of the earth. The apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to the world, an empowerment that continues to be crucial for Christians engaged in missions today.

3. The Heart of God for the Nations – Psalm 96:3

God’s desire for all peoples to know Him is evident throughout the Bible. In Psalm 96:3, it is written:

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.” (Psalm 96:3 ESV)

This verse calls believers to proclaim God’s greatness and deeds, particularly to those who have not yet heard of His glory. The psalmist urges the faithful to take the message of God’s majesty and salvation to the nations, making this a verse about global evangelism and mission.

4. Jesus’ Compassion for the Lost – Luke 19:10

Jesus’ mission was always about seeking and saving the lost. In Luke 19:10, Jesus explains the purpose of His coming:

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 ESV)

This verse underscores the heart of the Gospel—to save the lost. Evangelism and missions are not merely about spreading information but about seeking those who are spiritually lost and leading them to salvation in Christ.

5. The Call to Proclaim the Gospel – Mark 16:15

In another passage, Mark 16:15 captures a similar charge to that in Matthew:

“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'” (Mark 16:15 ESV)

This command is simple but profound: proclaim the Gospel to all creation. The task of evangelism is universal and inclusive. Every believer is called to actively share the message of Jesus Christ with those around them and to contribute to spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

6. The Role of the Church – Romans 10:14-15

Paul speaks about the necessity of messengers in Romans 10:14-15:

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'” (Romans 10:14-15 ESV)

This passage shows the progression of the mission process: preaching, hearing, believing, and calling on the name of the Lord. Paul emphasizes that it is essential for the Church to send messengers, as there can be no faith without hearing the Gospel. The Church is called to send and support those who evangelize.

7. The Responsibility of the Believer – 2 Corinthians 5:20

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul reminds believers of their calling as representatives of Christ:

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV)

As ambassadors for Christ, every Christian is entrusted with the mission of reconciliation—bringing people to God through Jesus. This verse highlights that evangelism is not just an activity for a few but a calling for every believer.

8. The Promise of a Great Harvest – Matthew 9:37-38

Jesus speaks about the abundance of work in Matthew 9:37-38:

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'” (Matthew 9:37-38 ESV)

Here, Jesus likens the work of evangelism to a harvest. There is no shortage of people in need of salvation; the challenge is that there are not enough workers to bring in the harvest. The passage calls for prayer and action to send laborers into the fields of evangelism.

9. God’s Mission to the Nations – Revelation 7:9

In Revelation 7:9, John has a vision of the culmination of God’s mission in the world:

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9 ESV)

This verse gives a powerful picture of the final harvest: people from every nation, tribe, and language, gathered before God’s throne. It is a glimpse of the ultimate goal of missions and evangelism—people from all over the world worshiping God together.

Conclusion

The Bible is filled with verses that inspire and call believers to take part in missions and evangelism. From the Great Commission to the promise of a global harvest, God’s desire is clear: His Gospel must reach all nations. Whether near or far, believers are called to go, to preach, and to make disciples. Every Christian has a role to play in spreading the message of salvation, with the ultimate goal of seeing people from every nation and language come to worship God. Through prayer, action, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the mission continues until the whole world has heard and responded to the Good News.