The Missionary - Ephesians 4:11

The term ‘missionary’ is a technical, biblical, ecclesiological (church) term. It has a biblically narrow meaning and describes those gifted, called, and set aside by the Holy Spirit as apostles, who are affirmed and sent out by their local congregation to plant churches throughout the entire world (cf. Ephesians 4:11). The great commission, Matthew 28:19, calls everyone to make disciples. This includes missionaries, as well as evangelists, pastors, and teachers etc.; but that is not the same as the apostolic calling as a missionary or ‘sent one.’