(a) Relate the account of the Mission of the Twelve, according to the Synoptics. (b) State any four qualities required of today's evangelists.

Answer Details

(a) The Mission of the Twelve according to the Synoptics (Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)

Jesus called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two to preach and to heal. He gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and authority over unclean spirits.

The instructions he gave them included the following:

• Their message: They were to preach the good news, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," and to call people to repentance.
• Their works: They were to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons. Freely they had received, freely they were to give.
• Their scope (in Matthew): They were not to go among the Gentiles or into any Samaritan town, but to go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
• Travelling light: They were to take nothing for the journey except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, no extra tunic; they were to wear sandals and depend on the hospitality of those who received them, for the labourer deserves his food.
• Hospitality and rejection: Wherever they entered a house, they were to stay there until they left the place, and let their peace rest on a worthy house. If any place would not receive them or listen to their words, they were to shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against it.
• Warnings of persecution: Jesus warned that he was sending them out as sheep among wolves; they should be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, and they would be delivered up and hated for his name's sake, but the Spirit of their Father would speak through them, and the one who endured to the end would be saved.

So they went out and preached that men should repent, cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

(b) Four qualities required of today's evangelists

• Faith and total trust in God for provision, guidance and protection.
• Courage and boldness to preach the truth despite opposition and persecution.
• Simplicity and freedom from the love of money or material gain.
• Obedience and dedication to the call and commission of Christ.

(Other acceptable qualities: humility, patience and endurance, holiness of life, and love and compassion for people.)