Christianity
arose as a movement within the Jewish community, not in the lands of the dispersion
but in the land of Israel! Its Founder [Jesus]
was a Jew, and so were his disciples, who in the years following his departure
from them proclaimed mostly to Jews the good news he had entrusted to them. Yet in
little more than a generation after his death Christianity was recognized by
the authorities of the Roman Empire as a predominantly Gentile cult. THIS IS REMARKABLE!
I’m getting a new perspective on how pivotal Acts 13 is in relation to the growth and maturity of the New Testament Church!
In chapter 6, the church – becoming overwhelmed with new believers – organized with seven stewards to assist with the ministry. Stephen – one of the seven - rose to a much larger role and in chapters 7-8 was killed as the first martyr of the church!
In chapter 9, Saul was converted.
In Chapters10-11, God abruptly - through visions and angels – helped Peter [the outspoken voice of the Apostles] to realize that the Gospel was intended for all people – including the Gentiles! This essentially opened the door for Paul’s [formerly Saul] future ministry!
In chapter 13, we review the calling and sending of Barnabas and Saul. But within one chapter their mission was directed almost exclusively to Gentiles! And, Paul emerged as the key to this massive transition.
The Acts narrative can be mildly deceptive for modern-day readers. Luke’s unraveling of the story of the development of the New Testament Church is accurate, but does not make us aware of the time-frame of the events. For instance, after his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia. We know nothing of the purpose for this time. Galatians 1:18 informs us that it was three years before Paul made a trip to Jerusalem to meet with Peter!
We know that the very significant ‘Jerusalem Council’ recorded in Acts 15, likely took place in 50 A.D. while Paul’s conversion likely took place in 34 AD – that’s sixteen years later!. By that time, James the Apostle had been killed by Herod [Acts 12:2], and James – the brother of Jesus [and author of the NT book of James] had become a significant leader in the New Testament Church.
Biblical historicist, Roland Allen singles out the decade between 47 and 57 AD:
In little more than ten years St. Paul established the Church in four provinces of the Empire: Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia. Before 47 AD there were no Churches in these provinces; in AD 57 St. Paul could speak as if his work there was done, and could plan extensive tours into the far West without anxiety…
1.
the
first missionary journey took place between AD 46-48.
2.
The
second from AD 50-52; and
3.
the
third from AD 53-57 when he was arrested, imprisoned in Caesarea and sent to
Rome as a result of his appeal to Caesar [AD60].
In
Ad 63 he was released from his first Roman imprisonment. He may have made a
trip to Spain in AD 64. He was imprisoned again in AD 66 and martyred in AD 67.
After this, the church was led and influenced by the remaining apostles and the MANY associates/disciples of the Apostle Paul:
·
Barnabas Acts 13:1
·
Silas II
Corinthians 1:19
·
Timothy Romans 16:21
·
Apollos I Corinthians
16:12
·
Philemon Philemon 1
·
Phoebe Romans 16:1
·
Priscilla
and Aquila Romans 16:3
·
Urbanus
Romans
16:9
·
Clement
Philippians
4:3
·
Aristarchus Colossians 4:10-11
·
Mark “
·
Justus “
·
Demas Philemon 24
·
Luke “
·
Epaphroditus Philippians 2:25
·
Andronicus Romans 16:7
·
Junia “
·
Tychicus
Colossians
4:7
And many more…
[resourced from https://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Pauline_Associates.htm]
The Apostle Paul’s influence in moving the church forward and into the future is inestimable! By the end of his life, this was no longer a strictly Jewish faith!
PLUS: Remember that in 70 AD the temple was completely destroyed and the sacrificial system came to an end. The Jewish dispersion began with the fall of Jerusalem and the faith was flung to the far parts of the known world!
