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Missions of the Early Church

Lesson Two of Missions History Course. Covers first century Christian missions.

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Missions of the Early Church

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  1. Missions of the First Three Centuries Lecture by Robert Munson. www.munsonmissions.org

  2. The First Christian Missionary Was... Jesus Christ

  3. Missionary Method--Jesus

  4. Great Commissions • Matthew 28:19-20 • Mark 16:15-16 • Luke 24:46-47 • John 20:21 • Acts 1:7-8 • Acts 26:16/18 Each emphasize something a bit different

  5. Something to Try: Bring the Great Commissions Together Into One Statement. Here is an example: I have sent you, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to be witnesses of me everywhere. You will make new disciples, preaching the good news of repentance, forgiveness of sin, and release from Satan’s control.

  6. Jesus calls His Disciples something new: “Apostles” • The Term “Apostolos” generally translates as “Sent Out Ones.” It carries the idea of an ambassador who carries the message from one Kingdom to another. • The role is quite similar to a “Missionary” today and the term “missionary” comes from the Latin equivalent of the Greek word for Apostle.

  7. The New Testament Describes Many as Apostles: • The 12 disciples Luke 6:13  Matthias Acts 1:24-26  Paul I Cor. 9:1  Barnabas (and Paul) Acts 14:3-4  Andronicus Rom. 16:7  Junias Rom. 16:7  Epaphroditus Phil. 2: 25  Unnamed brethren II Cor. 8 :23-24  Silas and Timothy (and Paul) I Thess. 2:6  Apollos (by implication in I Cor. 4) <Paul also speaks of “Super Apostles” and “False Apostles”>

  8. Apostles in the Didache • Apostles are Churchplanters • They can visit established churches but not stay there. • They appeared to be somewhat similar to Prophets, who were seen as traveling preachers. The difference being that prophets minister to established churches. Apostles go where there are no churches and establish churches.

  9. Some have believed that “The Twelve” went to the whole world, meaning that the Great Commission (Acts 1:8) was already completed and the role of Apostle (sharing the Gospel beyond borders) had ceased. --Ruth Tucker, “From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya”

  10. Change of Meaning of Apostle in the Age of the Apostolic Fathers • In the 2nd century, the term “Apostle” started to become synonymous with “The Twelve” and Paul. • People who acted as apostles (going out and planting churches) were described as Evangelists or “Teachers of Christianity.” • Generally, over time, the role of apostle or churchplanter shrunk as the role of pastor or bishop grew in importance.

  11. Early Missionaries of the Church • The first Christian that appeared to act in a way that we think is similar to missionaries is Philip the Evangelist. (Most likely, he was called evangelist to distinguish him from Philip the Apostle.) He went to Samaria to evangelize, ministered to the Ethiopian eunuch, and then settled in Cesarea. • Peter and John joined Philip in Samaria. Later, Peter traveled to and evangelized the Gentile Cornelius. Peter later ministered in Antioch, and (probably) in Mesopotamia and Rome. John appears to have later ministered in Ephesus.

  12. Other Missionaries of Note • Barnabas, ministered in Jerusalem and Antioch. Later, he trained Paul, and the two were sent out to minister in parts of Cyprus and Asia Minor. Later, he trained John Mark and served more in Cyprus. • Paul, ministered in Tarsus and Antioch, before his three primary missionary journeys. Partnered with many including Timothy, Luke, and Silas.

  13. Other Missionaries of Note • John Mark. Early on served with Paul and Barnabas. Appears to have served later with Peter. Church History suggests that he later ministered in Egypt. • Thomas. According to church tradition (and some historical evidence) appears to have served in Mesopotamia and in India.

  14. As noted before, with the end of the first century, the role of the formal missionary declined (although never fully ended). It began to grow again in the fourth century.Much outreach was done by 1. Martyrs (ex. Polycarp)2. Apologists (ex. Aristides, Justin Martyr)3. Helps Ministries (such as during plagues)4. The “Common People.”

  15. Quoting Adoph Harnack It was characteristic of this religion that everyone who seriously confessed the faith proved of service to its propaganda. Christians are to “let their light shine, that pagans may see their good works and glorify the Father in heaven.” If this dominated all their life, and if they lived according to the precepts of their religion, they could not be hidden at all; by their very mode of living they could not fail to preach their faith plainly and audibly. ... We cannot hesitate to believe that the great mission of Christianity was in reality accomplished by means of informal missionaries. Justin says so quite explicitly. What won him over was the impression made by the moral life which he found among Christians in general. <“Mission and Expansion of Christianity in the First Three Centuries,” 1908 translated edition. This quote is from Volume 3, chapter 1 (section 366-369).>

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