Abstract:
The sending out of seventy-two disciples by Jesus in Luke 10:1–16 provides both a theological
justification and a modus operandi for the church’s participation in God’s mission to the world as described in Luke-Acts. Participating in the Missio Dei, the church must be willing to cross all economic and ethnic boundaries. Luke emphasises that the mission of the church is the result both of God’s initiative and the influence of Jesus’ continuing presence through his church. The primary focus of the church’s mission is to establish a new household-based community in which
all are welcome. For those who reject the message of peace of the seventy-two, however, the
eschatological ramifications will be dire.
