The Worldwide Church | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

The Worldwide Church

Mission & Evangelism Around the World

• The term "mission" refers to being sent and reflects the calling of a religious individual or group to travel globally and share their faith.
• Missionaries spread Jesus’ message internationally by caring for others abroad.
• In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructed His disciples to share His teachings worldwide and seek to convert people to Christianity.

‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19).

• Missionaries share the Christian message abroad not only through preaching but also through actions, such as participating in development projects.
• Christianity has seen significant growth in regions like South America and Africa, where missionaries have worked on social justice initiatives and established churches.

Christianity and Reconciliation

• Reconciliation involves resolving conflicts and fostering peace between individuals or groups.
• In the Bible, Jesus declared, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9), leading Christians to believe that reconciliation is essential for those who have experienced conflict.
• Just as Jesus reconciled God and humanity through atonement, Christians aim to mend relationships.
• One method of Christian evangelism is to promote reconciliation among groups worldwide that have experienced conflict.
• The Christian Church includes various denominations, which have historically caused tension and division.
• The Ecumenical Movement, or Ecumenism, seeks to unite different Christian denominations and foster unity.
• The movement aims to bring all Christian denominations together into a single Church.
• It was established in 1910 at the World Missionary Conference in Scotland, fostering greater cooperation among denominations.
• Examples include different denominations sharing church facilities or holding joint worship services, known as ecumenical services.

Church Response to Persecution

Christianity and Persecution

• Christians uphold justice and believe that all people are equal and deserve fair treatment.
• Christian organizations support those facing injustice due to poverty, war, or persecution.
• Persecution refers to persistent cruel treatment, often based on race, political views, or religious beliefs.
• Historically, Christians have endured persecution, including bullying, torture, unequal treatment, and even death.
• In some regions where Christianity is a minority, Christians face unjust treatment.
• Christians believe that Jesus’ divine commission to evangelize may involve facing danger.
• Jesus Himself was persecuted and warned His disciples that they would face persecution for their faith.
• Some Christians, including Jesus, have become martyrs, meaning they were persecuted and killed for their beliefs.

Church Responses to Persecution

• Christians pray for those facing persecution, donate to relevant charities, and may protest or petition governments for action.
• They may provide Bibles to persecuted Christians, enabling secret worship.
• In Corinthians, Paul compares Church members to parts of a body, stating:

‘If one part suffers, every part suffers with it’ (1 Corinthians 12:26).

• This motivates the Church to advocate for and support persecuted Christians worldwide.
• Organizations like Open Doors and Christian Freedom International assist persecuted Christians facing torture, imprisonment, or death for their faith.
• Other organizations also help Christians address persecution:
  • The Aegis Trust works internationally to prevent genocide.
  • The Barnabas Fund supports Christians facing discrimination and persecution.

Work of Christian Organizations in LEDCs

Christianity and Helping Those in Need

• Christians draw on Jesus’ teachings in the Bible to guide their efforts to help those in need.
• Jesus emphasized compassion for others.

‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself’ (Luke 10:27).

• This is illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which teaches that people should love everyone, including their enemies.
• The Bible promotes justice, asserting that everyone deserves fair treatment.
• Since God created all people equal, ignoring the needs of others is wrong, and caring for the less fortunate is a duty.
• In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus taught that God will judge people based on their actions, separating the righteous from the unrighteous on Judgment Day, like a shepherd separating sheep from goats.
• Christians strive to practice agape love, the selfless love Jesus described.
• They follow biblical teachings on charity, such as: ‘It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle,’ and ‘Those who have two coats, give one to the man who has none.’
• In terms of poverty, Christians are taught to use their wealth to help others, encouraging donations to charities and support for those in need.

Christian Charities Helping Worldwide