Christian Missions

The basic purpose of The Acts of the Apostles is to describe how the early Christian Church leaders went on to preach, assert, and proclaim the salvation Jesus Christ had given to the world. In order to spread the good news, it was essential for the apostles to perform missionary work. Certain Christian concepts and theological issues were in need of resolution; and the early Christian movement was slowly on its way to become a world-wide religion.

Although the first Christian believers were tolerated for the Most Dart by the Roman establishment, this would not be true in later years. Merrill C. Tenney states:

The sudden persecution which burst like a storm at the death of Stephen marked a sharp change in the affairs of the church. Up to this time the believers had been tolerated, or else the arrests, interrogations, and imprisonments had been sporadic . . . . Stephen's arraignment of the nation for the rejection of Christ, however, so enraged them that they did not wait for legal action but stoned him on the spot (241).

Missionary work could be a risky and dangerous endeavor; nevertheless, for the purpose of preaching the message of Christ, is was a very necessary obligation. Jesus had told his disciples, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Gho

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ot only for Jews, but for Gentiles as well. The Christian message began to spread north to Syrian Antioch, the third city of the Roman Empire, which would be Peter's center of operations. Archibald M. Hunter makes the following observation, "Soon he and Barnabas are setting out on a mission to Cyprus and then Asia Minor, and its success leads to the first apostolic council in Jerusalem (probably AD 49), to decide on what terms Gentiles are to be admitted to the church" (75-76). The initial chapters of Acts show the apostles finding their way through a multitude of theological and organizational labyrinths. Such early church leaders as Philip and Peter were up against some severe and trying situations, but they were seldom discouraged about their missionary purpose and goals. Their faith was strong and built on a secure foundation even though persecution by the Roman Government was a continual threat. However, the flesh can still be weak and tempted. These are only a few of the missionaries who preached the good news about Jesus Christ, the Savior, to the world of Rome. However, it remained for Paul to become the foremost missionary of the Christian religion. Paul and His Mission "to the Ends of the Earth" Consequently,
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Approximate Word count = 1389
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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