The Mission of the Church

Some churches use the branding tools and methods of the marketplace to attract worshipers and publicize their programs. They design logos, build web pages, and craft slogans. A few churches franchise themselves in an effort to extend their ministry’s influence. The metaphor Jesus uses in our passage today comes from a very different context, however. It is from the legal realm instead of the marketplace.

After His resurrection, Jesus spent the next 40 days proving to the disciples that He was really alive and talking to them about the kingdom of God. He told them not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit who had been promised to them (John 14:16, 26).

This prompted the disciples to ask whether Jesus intended to restore the kingdom to Israel “at this time” (v. 6). Jesus’ disciples had initially expected the Messiah to establish a political kingdom and drive out the Romans. Their question reveals that after 40 days of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom, they were still expecting an earthly dimension to it.

Jesus did not disagree with their assumption but noted that the timing was not their concern. Instead, the disciples were to wait for the promise of the Spirit so that they could serve as witnesses. In the courtroom, witnesses give a testimony and evidence of what they have seen or experienced. In the Old Testament law, credible witnesses were required for a conviction, especially in serious crimes (see Num. 35:30). To be a witness in the sense that Jesus describes means to speak of both what we have experienced and what we believe. We give an affirmation of our faith and an articulation of evidence for its truth.

Pray with Us

The staff of Moody’s Procurement Services—Brenda Crump and Stephen Richardson—ensure employees and departments have all they need for ministry. We are thankful for their dedicated service and good stewardship of Moody’s resources.

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.