MISSION OF THE DISCIPLES

CONTENT

1. The Mission of the Twelve (Matt. 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13)
2. The Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-20)
3. Differences in the Synoptic Accounts of the Mission of the Twelve

The Mission of the Twelve (Matt. 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13)

The mission of the disciples was part of Jesus’ preparation of His followers for full evangelical activities. They had worked with Him for some time, and at this stage, He sent them out on their own for brief practice,as part of the training for the ministerial task ahead.

After Jesus had taught His disciples both privately and publicly, He decided to send them out to practicalise what they had learnt. The followings were the instructions given to the twelve disciples:

1. They were charged to preach that the kingdom of God is at hand.
2. They were given authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper and cast out unclean spirits.
3. They were directed to go only to the lost sheep of Israel and not the Gentiles or Samaritans. They were grouped two by two.