The Church's First Mission Efforts

We began last week by taking a brief survey through the Gospels to ask the question, “why do missions at all?” We saw the hint of God’s missionary heart in the book of Genesis with the calling of Abraham.

Christian Missions is a concentrated effort to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the unreached and make disciples who follow and worship Him.

We saw that the missionary efforts of the disciples were backed by the Authority of Christ, which is God’s authority. We saw they were backed by the promise of the power of the Holy Spirit. We saw that they were backed with the assurance of Christ’s presence with the spread of the Gospel. We saw that the commission was intended for the entirety of the known world, not just the areas where Jesus first walked and taught.

John 20:19–21 ESV

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

What are some things in this passage that we saw in the other “commission” passages?

The Missionary Efforts in Acts

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, ends of the earth. That was the scope of the mission that Christ left his people with, and as you read through the book of Acts, you see that they took this commission seriously.

Jerusalem

Acts 2:1–8 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

We see the Promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has now come true, and the first empowering that we see is that the disciples were granted the miraculous ability to speak in the languages of the foreigners gathered for Pentecost.

With a crowd gathered, and being emboldened and empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Peter lifted up his voice and gave the first evangelistic sermon after the ascension of Christ. His sermon is much like Jesus’ teaching, in that he showed from the TaNaCh, the Old Testament, how Jesus was the promised Messiah.

Acts 2:37–41 ESV

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

What was the result of this first sermon in Jerusalem?

How does what happened in this account align with Jesus’ commission and promise?

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

What were some of the marks of those early converts in this passage?

Acts 6:7 ESV

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Judea and Samaria

In Acts 6-7, we see the sermon and subsequent martyrdom of Stephen, who was the first Martyr. But the martyrdom of Stephen wasn’t the only violence taking place in the early church.

Who was the major character that was persecuting those early Christians?

Acts 8:1–3 ESV

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

What was the irony that we see taking place because of the persecution by Saul?

What does this teach us about God’s sovereignty?

Acts 8:4–6 ESV

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

What did the persecuted disciples do when they were scattered?

Beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Who was amazed or astonished in this passage?

Why were they astonished?

Acts 11:19–26 ESV

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

How did the early church fulfill and experience the promises of the great commission?

Our experiences may differ, but how do these accounts encourage us as we also seek to follow Jesus’ commands?