Bearing Witness

Josep Rossello


The Living Christ, Our Authority and Guide in Missionary Discipleship

For missionary disciples, sharing the Gospel is the natural result of our encounter with the Lord, Jesus Christ. The early church provides us with many examples; for example, Paul. His live was changed by an encounter with the living Christ. His authority was not merely derived from the Torah, but from the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

The apostles bore witness to Jesus, who came to fulfil the law and the prophets (Matt. 5:17). Christ provided clear understanding (Matt. 5:21-28; Mark 10:2ff.), even repealing certain traditions of men (Mark 7:19).

For missionary disciples, this means:
  • Jesus is our message: We proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection, and call to obedience to all what He commands.
  • Interpreting Scripture through Christ: When sharing the Gospel, we must demonstrate how Jesus fulfils the Old Testament, revealing its true purpose.
  • Living the teachings of Jesus: Our lives should reflect the values and commands of Jesus, demonstrating the grace and power of the Gospel.
The implications of those three points is that we must
  • Walk by the Word of God: We must deeply value and study the Scriptures, recognising them as the inspired word of God.
  • Become living witness: Our own experiences of conversion to Christ and the power of the gospel are powerful tools for bringing glory to God and salvation to those around us.
  • Teach apostolic truth: We are called to faithfully transmit the teachings of the apostles and prophets.
  • Rely on the Holy Spirit: We must trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives, empowering us to share the Gospel effectively.
  • Uphold apostolic doctrines: We are called to share the faith as passed down from the apostles, maintaining doctrinal purity.
  • Seek unity with the Church: We are part of a larger body of believers, and our ministry should be rooted in communion with the Church.
  • Live a holy life: The gospel is shown by the holiness that causes in the lives of those who accept it.
In conclusion, as we engage with others, this fundamental truth must shape us, let us be inspired by the example of the early Church. So, we become authentic followers of the living Christ and, doing so, we can effectively share the grace and power of the Gospel with all people.

Bishop Josep Rossello
Servant General, New Anglican Missionary Society