Living Out Apostesontai: The Believer’s Commission

The Meaning of apostesontai

The Greek term *apostesontai* (ἀποστενταί) is the future tense of *apostello*, conveying the action of being sent on a mission.

In John 20:21, Jesus uses a related form to commission His disciples, saying, 'As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you' (John 20:21). This highlights the continuity of God’s mission from Jesus to His followers.

Apostleship in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently employs 'apostello' to describe God's sending of Jesus and the church's mission to proclaim the Gospel.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands His disciples to 'go and make disciples of all nations,' illustrating the imperative of mission as a continuation of His own purpose. Similarly, Acts 1:8 records Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit will empower believers to be His witnesses 'to the end of the earth,' framing apostleship as both a divine commission and a global responsibility. These passages underscore the church's role as an extension of Christ's redemptive work.

Together, these texts reveal that the church's purpose is rooted in God's overarching plan to reconcile humanity through Jesus, with believers entrusted to carry this mission forward.

John 20:21 and the Mission of Believers

In John 20:21, Jesus’ use of *apostesontai* underscores His authority to commission disciples as His representatives.

Jesus declares, ‘As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you’ (John 20:21), framing His disciples’ mission as an extension of His own divine purpose. This language of *apostello* (‘to send’) reflects a direct transfer of responsibility from Jesus to His followers, rooted in the Father’s prior commissioning of Him. By choosing this term, Jesus emphasizes continuity - His disciples are both followers and agents of God’s redemptive work. This moment also highlights the church’s foundational role in carrying forward Jesus’ mission through proclamation and witness.

The commission in John 20:21 resonates with Jesus’ later promise in Acts 1:8, where He empowers believers to be His witnesses globally.

For modern believers, *apostesontai* calls us to recognize our participation in Jesus’ ongoing mission. The disciples were sent with authority and purpose, and Christians today are entrusted to reflect Christ’s ministry in their contexts. This verse challenges the church to see itself as both the recipient and executor of God’s redemptive plan, a responsibility that remains central to the faith’s communal and global identity.

Putting 'apostesontai' into Practice

Living as those 'sent' by Christ begins with embracing the commission Jesus gave His disciples in John 20:21: 'As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'

This mission is not abstract but actionable: believers are called to mirror Jesus' love, service, and truth in their communities. Matthew 28:19's Great Commission ('Go therefore and make disciples of all nations') challenges us to actively share the Gospel, while Acts 1:8 ('You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you') reminds us that this mission is empowered by God's Spirit. Practically, this might mean engaging in acts of mercy, fostering spiritual conversations, or supporting global ministries. By aligning our daily choices with Jesus' purpose - He aligned His mission with the Father - we embody the 'sentness' of apostesontai in both word and deed.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of *apostesontai* and its theological implications, consider exploring key resources and related biblical texts.

Start with commentaries on John 20 (e.g., Gordon Fee’s *The Gospel of John* or N.T. Wright’s *John for Everyone*) to analyze Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples. For broader context, study missional theology texts like *The Missional Church* by Darrell G. Bock or *Sent Out* by Craig Blomberg, which connect *apostello* to the church’s global purpose. Reflect also on Acts 1:8, where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will empower believers to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.