The concept of missions begins with God and is revealed to man in the Scriptures. The Bible, itself being divinely inspired, has the power to accomplish God's purpose "...it shall accomplish that which I purpose and prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). And the truth of the Scriptures is one of the strongest weapons to be used in the spiritual warfare involved in missionary endeavor.
The basis for missions is Biblical from Genesis to Revelation. The covenant which God established with Abraham (Genesis 12:2,3) was intended to bless all the families of the earth. The final invitation which is extended in Revelation (Revelation 22:17) is given to all who will respond.
The mandate for missions was given clearly by the risen Christ when he said to the disciples, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).
It is a matter of great urgency that the entire Church devote itself wholeheartedly to the carrying out of the missionary task-2.7 billion of the world's population (1981) have not yet heard the gospel. Given this vast multitude still to be evangelized, we should envision the time when missionaries should flow ever more freely from and to all six continents in a spirit of humble service. And special attention should be given to the cooperation of younger churches in missionary efforts (Acts 13:1-3). All churches should be asking God and themselves what they should be doing, both to reach their own area and to send missionaries to other parts of the world. The goal should be that by all available means at the earliest possible time that every person will have the opportunity to hear, to understand and to receive the good news.
The gospel does not presuppose the superiority of any culture to another, but evaluates all cultures according to its own criteria of truth and righteousness, and insists on moral absolutes in every culture. In every nation and culture there should be an effective training program for pastors and laymen in doctrine, discipleship, evangelism, nurture and service. This training program should not rely on any stereotyped methodology, but should be developed by creative local initiatives, according to Biblical standards.
The one living, eternal God, the Creator and Lord of the universe, the God who made Himself known as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, has been calling out from the world a people for Himself, and sending His people back into the world to be His servants and witnesses.
Jesus Christ is unique: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
The book of Acts reveals an enormous amount of information as well as principles to follow in mission work. For example, the truth that complete reliance upon the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to the success of the missionary effort is clearly seen in these words: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:1-3). Another essential for success in missions is the use of prayer-illustrated throughout the book of Acts. Missionary work broke into the non-Jewish world in connection with the prayers of two men on the same day-Peter in Joppa and Cornelius, a Roman citizen, in Caesarea. The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church cannot be successful in missions if she pays little attention to her prayer life and refuses to avail herself of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ sends (John 20:21) all of His redeemed people into all the world as the Father sent Him. World evangelism requires the whole Church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. The Church is at the very center of God's cosmic purpose and is His appointed means of spreading the gospel. In order to be successful in missions, the Church must be a united, loving, caring and supporting community. "...and the Lord added to their number day by day those that were being saved" (Acts 2:47).
The Church's message is the message of God's love in Christ for lost sinners. "The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ came into the world to save sinners" (I Timothy 1:15).
Missions is a comprehensive work including preaching, teaching, and healing. It is ministry to body, mind, and spirit. "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:8).
Reconciliation and freedom are more and more the concern of people in today's world, but they were God's will for society long before they became man's quest; for God loves the good and hates the evil wherever these are found. "...cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:16-17).
The Bible is very clear about the return of Christ. The consummation of God's redemption will be accomplished by Jesus Christ our Lord at His return, and not by the human construction of a Utopia on earth. And until His return, the Church is to occupy herself in the fulfilling of His commission to "go and make disciples of all nations."

Respectfully submitted,
THE COMMITTEE
L. M. Allison
W. C. Halliday
R. A. Whitesides, Chairman
E. R. Young

NOTE: In preparing this statement, frequent use was made of John Stott's exposition and commentary on the "Lausanne Covenant," which grew out of the International Congress on World Evangelization, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1974. His booklet is No. 3 of the Lausanne Occasional Papers. It would be a good study guide for congregations or other groups in the church who desire to engage in an in-depth study on the subject of missions.