Doctrine Of Missiology (Missions And Evangelism)
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries,
May 19, 2026 (Donate)
Perhaps the greatest moment in
our respective lives is when Christ saved us! Knowing that we will no longer
suffer the everlasting wrath of God for our sins and an unbearable punishment
for eternity.
Those who are unsaved, don’t
realize what they are missing! But as Christians, we want to share the good
news of Jesus Christ. We want others to receive Jesus Christ and have eternal
life not eternal punishment. This is why it is so important to take the good
news of Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection to the world.
Romans 10:15 says,
And
how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful
are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of
good things!” (NKJV)
Why Is Missions So Important?
Missiology is the study and
practice of Christian missions and evangelism. From a biblical perspective,
missions are important because God has revealed Himself to mankind and has
commanded believers to proclaim the gospel to the nations. After Christ’s
resurrection, He gave what is commonly called The Great Commission:
“Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).
The purpose of missions is not
merely cultural influence, aid, or social reform (based on biblical morality),
though Christians often help people physically. The central purpose is the
glory of God through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that
sinners may repent and believe.
The Bible says that all people
are sinners in need of salvation through Christ alone (Romans 3:23; John 14:6;
Acts 4:12). Therefore, missions is an act of obedience. It is also an act of
love and compassion toward the lost—because we were all lost at one stage and
needed salvation.
When someone takes their last
breath, they no longer have the opportunity to be saved. The Bible says that
man dies once, then faces judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The early church understood
this urgency. Jesus told His disciples,
“You
shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NKJV).
By the power of the Holy
Spirit, Christianity spread rapidly because believers proclaimed Christ despite
persecution, imprisonment, hardship, and even death.
What Is Missions?
Missions is the organized
effort of Christians to spread the gospel and establish disciples,
churches, and biblical teaching among people groups and nations. Missions may
occur locally, nationally, or internationally, but it generally done by taking
the gospel and biblical truth to places where Christ is less known.
Biblically, missions include
preaching, teaching, discipling, translating Scripture, planting churches,
training leaders, and helping believers grow in sound doctrine. Missionaries hope
to proclaim the truth of God’s Word faithfully while calling people to
repentance and faith in Christ. Paul explained the missionary burden in Romans
10:14-15:
“How
then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they
believe in Him of whom they have not heard? ... And how shall they preach
unless they are sent?” (NKJV).
Missions should stand firm on
the authority of Scripture while proclaiming the gospel. Then the next step is
training in discipleship and learning how to defend of biblical truth
against false teaching, compromise and all other opposition through apologetics
(defense of the Faith).
What Is Evangelism?
Evangelism is the proclamation
of the “good news” (gospel) of Jesus Christ. The word comes from the Greek term
euangelion, meaning “good news” or “glad tidings.” Evangelism
specifically deals with sharing the message of salvation with unbelievers.
Consider verses from the Genesis-Romans Road (NKJV):
· Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
· Genesis 1:31 – Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
· Genesis 3:17-19 – Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”
· Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.
· Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
· Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
· Romans 10:9 – That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
· Romans 5:1 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Evangelism can occur publicly
or privately. Individual methods can be through open preaching, conversation,
literature, teaching, or personal testimony. While some believers are
especially gifted as evangelists, all Christians are called to witness for
Christ in some capacity. Jesus commanded believers:
“And
He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature’” (Mark 16:15, NKJV).
Biblical evangelism is not
merely emotional persuasion or entertainment. Rather, it is the truthful
proclamation of God’s Word about the Gospel relying on the Holy Spirit to
convict and save sinners (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Where Did Each Apostle Of Christ
Go And Evangelize?
The New Testament records where
many Apostles went and did missions work to evangelize. The early church
fathers and Christian tradition preserve additional historical details beyond
this. Though not every tradition can be verified with certainty, many are
widely accepted in early Christian history. In brief, here is where the Apostles ministered[1],
- Peter ministered in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Antioch, and eventually Rome where he was crucified upside down. First and Second Peter likely reflect ministry among scattered believers in Asia Minor.
- John ministered primarily in Ephesus and surrounding Asia Minor regions. He later lived on Patmos during exile and banishment where he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1).
- James the son of Zebedee ministered in Judea and was martyred in Jerusalem by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-2).
- Andrew is traditionally associated with ministry in Scythia, Greece, and regions north of the Black Sea.
- Thomas is connected in church tradition with missions eastward, especially Parthia and India. Ancient Christians in India long claimed Thomas as their founding missionary.
- Matthew is associated with ministry among Jewish communities and possibly Ethiopia or Persia according to various traditions.
- Bartholomew is traditionally connected with Armenia and regions east of the Roman Empire.
- Philip reportedly ministered in Phrygia and Asia Minor.
- Simon the Zealot is associated in tradition with Persia and possibly North Africa.
- Jude (Thaddaeus) is connected with Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia.
- James the son of Alphaeus is traditionally linked with ministry in Jerusalem and surrounding regions.
- Matthias, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, is associated by tradition with ministry near the Black Sea region and Ethiopia (Cush).
- Paul ministered extensively
throughout the eastern Roman Empire including Cyprus, Asia Minor, Greece,
Macedonia, and eventually Rome.
The apostles carried
Christianity far beyond Jerusalem within a single generation with reports of
the next generation reaching as far as Spain to England and Japan, fulfilling
Christ’s command to take the gospel to the nations (consider: Colossians 1:6;
1:23; Romans 1:8, 16:26).
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul is often
studied specifically for his missionary work. He traveled across the Roman
Empire preaching in synagogues of the Jews, marketplaces, homes, and public
gathering places. He established churches and later strengthened them through
letters and return visits.
Some churches were already
established by the time he got there (e.g., Rome), perhaps from those initial
people at Pentecost who were from various nations or from the diaspora of the
Christians out of Judea (e.g., Acts 8:1-4, 11:19-21).
Many distinguish Paul’s early Arabian mission work and his Syria-Cilicia missionary ministry from the later journeys in Acts. Because of Galatians 1, we know of Paul’s earliest ministry as having more than the traditional three journeys plus the voyage to Rome.
In Galatians 1:15-21, Paul
explained that shortly after his conversion he did not immediately go to
Jerusalem to learn from the apostles:
“But
I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus” (Galatians 1:17, NKJV).
The Arabians were descendants
of Abraham’s oldest child with Hagar (Ishmael). They would technically be the
first of the gentile nations who are of Abraham. After three years, Paul
briefly visited Peter and James in Jerusalem and then departed to his homeland
and preached there:
“Afterward
I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia” (Galatians 1:21, NKJV).
Paul spent time preparing,
preaching, and growing before his later public missionary work recorded in the
book of Acts. His ministry really began much earlier than Acts 13.
The ministry in Syria and
Cilicia also matters greatly. Cilicia included Paul’s hometown of Tarsus. This
likely involved evangelism and church strengthening before Barnabas later
brought Paul to Antioch (Acts 11:25-26).
Because of these passages,
some Christians outline Paul’s ministry journeys like this:
- Arabia and Damascus ministry (Galatians 1:17)
- Syria and Cilicia ministry (Galatians 1:21)
- First missionary journey (Acts 13-14)
- Second missionary journey (Acts 15-18)
- Third missionary journey (Acts 18-21)
- Voyage to Rome (Acts 27-28)
- Possible post-Acts ministry after
release from imprisonment (e.g., Spain)
Galatians preserves important
early missionary activity that occurred before the traditionally numbered
missionary journeys in Acts. Many treatments simplify Paul’s travels by
beginning with Acts 13, but Galatians reveals that Paul had already been preaching
and ministering for years before that formal commissioning from Antioch.
Paul’s missionary activity
occupies much of the Book of Acts. His journeys spread Christianity throughout
the Roman world.
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
Paul and Barnabas were sent
from Antioch of Syria. They traveled through Cyprus, Perga, Pisidian, Antioch, Iconium,
Lystra, and Derbe. This journey focused heavily on preaching in synagogues and
establishing early churches among both Jews and Gentiles.
Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
Paul traveled with Silas and
later Timothy and Luke. Key regions included Syria and Cilicia then Derbe and
Lystra. After this he ventured to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth,
and Ephesus. During this journey, the gospel entered deeper into Europe particularly
throughout Greece.
Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:17)
Paul revisited earlier
churches to strengthen believers and spent extensive time in Ephesus. Major
locations included Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, Troas, Miletus,
Tyre, Caesarea, and Jerusalem. Take note that Paul returned to some familiar places
and this time whole regions or nations were mentioned along with certain
cities. This journey hit discipleship, correction, and church strengthening.
“Fourth” Journey: Voyage to Rome (Acts 27-28)
Though Paul traveled as a
prisoner, this journey still functioned missionally. The route included Caesarea,
Sidon, Crete, Malta, Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli, and Rome. Even under arrest,
Paul continued preaching Christ boldly.
“Fifth” Missionary Journey (Possible Post-Acts Ministry)
Many conservative scholars and
traditions hold that Paul was temporarily released after Acts 28 before later
imprisonment and martyrdom. Based on the Pastoral Epistles and early church
writings, possible destinations included:
- Macedonia
- Crete
- Nicopolis
- Troas
- Miletus
- Possibly Spain
While the New Testament does
not directly record this entire journey, from passages in 1 and 2 Timothy and
Titus we can ascertain that he continued ministry activity after the close of
Acts. Can you see why do many people study Paul’s missionary work?
How Missionaries Prepare And
What Do They Often Endure When They Go?
Missionaries often go through rigorous
biblical study, theological training, discipleship, language learning, cultural
understanding, practical ministry experience, and prayer. Churches commonly
examine a missionary’s doctrine, character, spiritual maturity, and calling
before sending them out.
The New Testament calls for
earnest prayer and one must have dependence on God for missionary work. Paul constantly
asked for prayer for boldness, protection, and open doors for the gospel. We
should too.
Missionaries also commonly
endure hardship. Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would involve
suffering. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 summarizes many of Paul’s sufferings. Paul
endured beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, hunger, persecution, rejection, false
accusations, as well as danger from robbers and hostile authorities.
Church history likewise
records countless missionaries enduring disease, loneliness, poverty,
imprisonment, and finally being put to death. Church history also affords that
Paul was put to death the same year as Peter being beheaded.
Yet missionaries continue
because they believe Christ is worthy to be proclaimed. This “blink of an eye” on
earth is nothing compared to eternity. We want to see others saved. Many leave home,
family, and good job in order to obey God and reach people with the gospel.
If I can speak personally for
a moment, I left family, home, and good job to go into full time ministry and I’ve
been attacked in many ways too! So, it does happen but I want to encourage you
to continue to strive for Christ because that matters more.
Conclusion
The doctrine of missiology is
predicated on God’s command to proclaim the gospel to the world. Missions and
evangelism flow naturally from biblical Christianity because we desire others
to know Christ, be saved, and be reconciled to God. From the Apostles to modern
missionaries, Christians have traveled across nations, languages, and cultures
to preach salvation through Jesus Christ.
The New Testament presents
missions not as an optional activity for a few believers, but as a central part
of the church’s calling. Whether through local evangelism, supporting
missionaries, prayer, teaching, or personal witness, all of us Christians are
called to participate in spreading the truth of God’s Word.
Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an
apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent
21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer,
and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News.
He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in
2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a
501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in
churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science
degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he
taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all
levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab.
He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of
production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He
worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering
full-time ministry.
His love of science was coupled with a love of history,
philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and
updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for
AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing,
speaking and researching in these fields.
*Images generated by ChatGPT
[1] For
more details on this I suggest the book by William McBirnie called The Search
for the Twelve Apostles, by Tyndale Momentum Publishers, 1979, revised in 2008.
