With help from Barnabas and a local network of coworkers, many of them women, the apostle Paul evangelized Asia Minor and southern Greece and eventually reached Rome. Several factors brought growth to the faith. From the beginning lay people—both men and women—conducted the largest part of the mission. Congregations grew in homes used as churches. Most evangelizing occurred in the daily routine as men and women shared their faith with others. Christianity’s monotheism, morality, assurance of eternal life with God, and ancient Scriptures attracted many to the faith.
In today’s top ten list, we explore ten missionaries who ministered to Gentiles in the early church. Scriptures referenced include Acts 9:15; Galatians 1:15–16; Acts 4:37; Acts 9:26-27; Acts 11:25-26; Acts 12:12, 25; 1 Timothy 1:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:11-16; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Titus 1:4-5; Acts 18:1-3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Acts 18:18, 24-28; 2 Timothy 4:19; Romans 16:1-5, 22-23; Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; 1 Corinthians 1:14; Acts 21:1; Acts 11:19–20; Acts 4:36; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; and John 3:16.
Matthew is the only Gospel where the term “church” is found. In Matthew 16:13-19, we find Peter’s “great confession” that Jesus is “the Christ,...
Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet during the reign of Darius the Great around 520 BC, played a pivotal role in the spiritual and physical restoration...
Growing up in a devout Hebrew household in Nazareth, Mary learned the importance of faith from her father, a shepherd, who instilled in her...
