The mission of Jesus was no less than the redemption of the whole world, the reversal of the results of the Fall of man. The continuation of this mission is the first priority of the Church as the Body of Christ.
God created the world with a perfect order and purpose. Mankind, the summit of His Creation, was given dominion over all of Creation. The man and the woman were equipped with God's grace and Spirit, which gave ample provision for resisting sin and growing to spiritual maturity. Mankind was given dominion over all of Creation.
But dominion and growth were conditional on submission to God's will. Submission to God's will, in order to be voluntary, had to be tested. God permitted the serpent to bring this testing. Mankind chose the way of disobedience and independence.
Through disobedience, mankind lost the grace of God and the equipping of the Holy Spirit. This resulted in the loss of dominion. We are at the mercy of natural disasters, little germs we cannot even see, the violence of evil people, and even our own emotions. Creation came into confusion and decay. Satan became the "ruler of this world." Mankind lost the hope of attaining to spiritual maturity.
But God had a plan for redemption and restoration. This plan was advertised in the Old Testament. God was spoken of as the Redeemer of the world. The way of redemption was foreshadowed in the calling of Israel to be a covenant nation, in the sacrifices and worship prescribed by the Law, and in God's protection of His people.
God's plan of redemption was laid out fully in the ministry of Jesus and was sealed by His death. Since He was fully man, Jesus' life and ministry could demonstrate what He intended mankind to be. Since He was also fully God, He was able to reveal Who God is and what His purposes are in Creation.
Jesus initiated the redemption process by forgiving sins, healing the sick, and demonstrating His authority over the natural order. Even demons were subjected to His authority.
The process of Christ's redemption is defined by the verb sozein (to save) and the cognate noun soteria (salvation). He saved people from sin and its consequences, from sickness and death, and from demonic spirits. He brought us into a new life of restored communion with Him and His Father. He protects His people from irrelevant suffering and accident. He promised to strengthen and support us in any suffering incurred in service to Him. He opened the way to complete sanctification, victory over sin and demonic activity, and to the restoration of the lost dominion over all Creation.
The continuation of the redemption process is committed to the Church. Jesus trained a small group of disciples to do as He did. He taught them to still storms, heal the sick, cast out demons, and exercise dominion of over natural forces. After His ascension, He equipped His Church with His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit in the Church make possible the sanctification of the Church's members and the manifestation of the miracle working power of the risen Lord. The Church has been given authority over principalities, powers, and demonic forces, power to heal sick bodies and minds, and authority over the forces of nature.
The power of the Holy Spirit is still available for the Church, but it must be appropriated and put into practice in exercising Christ's authority over sin, sickness, and all the forces of evil, thus fulfilling our mission of redeeming the world and manifesting the glory of Christ's resurrection.
It is not yet too late for the Church to recapture the vision of the greatness God has intended and to assume her authority and responsibility in the wonderful work of the redemption of the world.
