Church History: Evangelism in the Early Church - Part 1

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

EVANGELISM IN THE FIRST CENTURY

Introduction

Definition of evangelism: spreading the good news30—Pentecost, 200 – end of century of intense persecution. Will begin with Acts/NT, then move into 2nd C.Matthew 28: Every people, not every nation (in the modern sense of the term)Mission & purpose (Luke 10:20; Matthew 22:37-40).I have 2 impressions on reading Acts: (1) evangelism was not particularly organized, yet (2) it was vibrant.

Impressions

Natural: Acts 2 – root (v.42) v. fruit (vv.43-47). Acts 8 – word preached publicly by principal leaders, privately by others. Acts 2:47, 4:4 – little interest in counting. Acts 21 – yet terrific growth (myriads = tens of thousands?)Vibrant: Acts 4, 5 – couldn’t help speaking! Acts 8 – Spirit working with them, coincidence of Isaiah 53.

Beyond Acts (outside Bible lands)

India (Thomas), 52 AD+Syria-Persia-China (Thaddaeus and Church of the East)Britain (some archaeological evidence)Spain (Paul, Romans 15: see Isaiah 66)

Further considerations: Challenges

PersecutionFalse teachers (Judaizers, Docetists [Gnostics])Slander (cannibalism, incest, lawbreaking)Countercultural – yet this also made evangelism more clear-cut, since Christianity clearly stood out as an alternative lifestyle.

Further considerations: What helped them

Counter-cultural (adopted children, sold themselves into slaver, bribed prison guards, forgave enemies...)Homes as centers of evangelism. First church buildings about 230 AD. Hospitality – essential for overseers, since presumably they headed up the groups that met in their homes.Preached a person, not a system (2 Corinthians 4:5)

Next podcast: Part II of Evangelism in the Early Church, 30-200 AD, which covers the 2nd century.