Missions and Evangelism |

Missions and Evangelism

ART Philosophy of Missions (ARTPOM)

Why a Philosophy of Missions

This important document is drafted with a desire to glorify our Lord and Saviour by obeying His revealed will in the Scriptures (2 Cor 4:15). Accordingly, we intend for this philosophy to clarify our understanding of our mission as a church, as He has written in the Scriptures. With clear biblical guidelines, we can consistently evaluate our faithfulness to God and to what He has called us to accomplish. More specifically, the philosophy we have outlined herein can serve Arouca Revival Tabernacle in our pursuit of faithfulness to the Lord in at least two key areas:

In short, this Philosophy of Missions is offered to prevent us from haphazardly carrying out God’s work and to promote our overall purpose as a church in missions; to see God exalted as His grace and truth in Jesus Christ abound in and overflow to more and more people.

Missions Purpose

The primary purpose of ART missions is to engage in global efforts to reproduce Bible teaching New Testament churches that bring glory to God by winning people to Jesus Christ and equipping them to be more faithful disciples. This is in keeping with the overall purpose of our church which is to:

Missions Policy Purpose

To tie this important aspect of our ministry to PAWI Constitution ARTICLE XII, SECTION 3 &.4; PAWI BY LAW 10: 5.1, 2. STATEMENT OF FAITH, ARTICLE V.

Missions Policy Goals

The Purpose of Missions

Missions is the process of local churches carrying out the Great Commission (making disciples) as patterned by the book of Acts: evangelizing strategic cities, instructing new Christians, planting local churches, and strengthening those churches that they would duplicate the cycle and multiply through sending their own people into missions. The chief task of missions is to plant and establish new churches (Strengthen existing one) that will be effective in fulfilling the Great Commission in their geographic and cultural setting.

The Biblical Foundation of Missions

The Great Commission: Matthew 28:19,20 says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The objective of a local church is to carry out the redemptive plan of God. The Church is the Place from which His work will be done. Christ introduces the word Church in Matthew 16:18. This introduction will reveal the role and responsibility of the New Testament Church. He makes it abundantly clear that this called out assembly would be the central hub from which He works. The instructions He gives for this assembly, the local church, are the basis of a biblical philosophy of missions.

We identify ourselves as His Bride, His assembly. His church in its local expression. Five times He spoke of a Divine task and assignment to His disciples. We call this the Great Commission.

The Great Commission gives our Mandate- “Go”
The Great Commission gives our Message- “Gospel of Repentance and Remission”
The Great Commission gives our Methods- “Preach, Teach, Send, Witness”
The Great Commission gives our Motivation – “All power, His presence, His promise”
The Great Commission gives our Map- “All the world, all Nations, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Uttermost part”
The Great Commission gives our Multitude “Every Creature”
The Great Commission gives our Mission “Go, I am with you”.

Each Great Commission mentioned has an emphasis.

• Notice the emphasis is on the Purpose of Missions. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {20} Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
• Notice the emphasis is on the Preaching of Missions. Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
• Notice the emphasis is on the Proclamation of Missions. Luke 24:47-49 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} And ye are witnesses of these things. {49} And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
• Notice the emphasis is on the Power for Missions. John 20:21 “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
Notice the emphasis is on the Places to do Missions. Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."