Who was sent out as the first missionary?

Answer:

The answer depends on how tightly you want to define the word "missionary." It isn't a word used in the Scriptures, so we can't apply a Greek or Hebrew definition to the word. Technically, "missionary" means someone sent on a mission and there are numerous examples in the Old Testament of God sending men to do something. If you want to limit it to the New Testament, then John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Christ (Mark 1:2). Jesus himself was sent by God to teach mankind (John 5:30). Jesus sent the twelve apostles to cities in Galilee to prepare for his coming and teaching (Matthew 10).