Who Was the First Gentile Missionary in the New Testament
The first Gentile missionary in the New Testament is a matter of interpretation among scholars. According to the Acts of the Apostles, the dispersion of disciples following the persecution around Stephen led to the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem, with some travelling as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching to Jews only initially [1]. However, it was Philip the Evangelist who is noted for preaching to the Samaritans and an Ethiopian eunuch, considered a precursor to Gentile missionary work [2].
The narrative in Acts 11:19-26 highlights the founding of the church in Antioch, where believers first began to preach to Gentiles. This passage is seen as a significant turning point in the early Christian mission, marking the beginning of a concerted effort to spread the Gospel beyond Jewish communities [3].
Some traditions identify Paul as a key figure in Gentile missionary work. As recorded in Acts 22:21 and Galatians 2:9, Paul received a specific appointment to be the apostle to the Gentiles, undertaking extensive travels throughout the Mediterranean region to spread Christianity [4, 7].
However, the question of who was the "first" Gentile missionary is complex. While Peter is recorded in Acts 10 as the one who preached to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his household, some argue that this event represents the initial breakthrough of the Gospel to Gentiles [6].
In the view of some commentators, the early Christian community's expansion among Gentiles was facilitated by various individuals, including those dispersed following the persecution in Jerusalem. The work of these early missionaries laid the groundwork for later evangelistic efforts, including those of Paul and others who travelled extensively to spread Christianity [1, 3].
The reception of Gentile converts into the early Christian community was not without controversy, as evidenced by discussions in Acts 15 and Galatians 2. The inclusion of Gentiles in the church is seen as a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity, marking a significant shift in the faith's expansion beyond its Jewish roots [5, 6].
The historical context of these events, set against the backdrop of Roman rule and Jewish diaspora communities, underscores the complex and dynamic nature of early Christianity's spread. The various accounts and interpretations of this period highlight the multifaceted nature of the early Christian mission.
The legacy of these early missionaries continues to be felt in the diverse expressions of Christianity across the world, with different traditions tracing their roots back to the apostolic era. The narrative of Acts and the writings of early church fathers provide valuable insights into this formative period, shedding light on the key figures and events that shaped the course of Christian history [1, 3, 4].
Sources
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 162 Homily XXV. Acts XI. 19 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that rose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.” The persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as “to them that love God all things work together for good.” ( Rom. viii. 28 .) If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this—they dispersed the teachers. 595 595 The narrative beginning with xi. 19 , may be consi”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 10:1: The bringing of the gospel to the Gentiles, and the bringing of those who had been strangers and foreigners to be fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, were such a mystery to the apostles themselves, and such a surprise (Eph 3:3, Eph 3:6), that it concerns us carefully to observe all the circumstances of the beginning of this great work, this part of the mystery of godliness - Christ preached to the Gentiles, and believed on in this world, Ti1 3:16. It is not unlikely that some Gentiles might before now have stepped into a synagogue of the Je”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: and ever, world without end. Amen. 595 The narrative beginning with xi. 19 , may be considered as a resumption of viii. 4 , sq. where the preaching of Philip in Samaria is referred to the persecution at Jerusalem as its occasion. The dispersion of the disciples now becomes the means of a great extension of the Gospel and the founding of the first Gentile Church (at Antioch in Syria). This is the third great movement in the spread of early Christianity. The order is: (1) The preaching of Philip in Samaria, (2) The conversion of Cornelius and his compa”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 22:21: I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles - This was the particular appointment of St. Paul: he was the apostle of the Gentiles; for, though he preached frequently to the Jews, yet to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, and to write for the conversion and establishment of the Gentile world, were his peculiar destination. Hence we find him and his companions travelling every where; through Judea, Phoenicia, Arabia, Syria, Cilicia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, Pamphylia, Galatia, Phrygia, Macedonia, Greece, Asia, the Isles of the Mediterranean Sea, the Isles of the Aegean Sea,”
- Galatians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Galatians 2:1: It should seem, by the account Paul gives of himself in this chapter, that, from the very first preaching and planting of Christianity, there was a difference of apprehension between those Christians who had first been Jews and those who had first been Gentiles. Many of those who had first been Jews retained a regard to the ceremonial law, and strove to keep up the reputation of that; but those who had first been Gentiles had no regard to the law of Moses, but took pure Christianity as perfective of natural religion, and resolved to adhere to that. Peter was the”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 10 (introduction): It is a turn very new and remarkable which the story of this chapter gives to the Acts of the apostles; hitherto, both at Jerusalem and every where else where the ministers of Christ came, they preached the gospel only to the Jews, or those Greeks that were circumcised and proselyted to the Jews' religion; but now, "Lo, we turn to the Gentiles;" and to them the door of faith is here opened: good news indeed to us sinners of the Gentiles. The apostle Peter is the man that is first employed to admit uncircumcised Gentiles into the Christian church; and Co”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 2:9: James--placed first in the oldest manuscripts, even before Peter, as being bishop of Jerusalem, and so presiding at the council (Acts 15:1-29). He was called "the Just," from his strict adherence to the law, and so was especially popular among the Jewish party though he did not fall into their extremes; whereas Peter was somewhat estranged from them through his intercourse with the Gentile Christians. To each apostle was assigned the sphere best suited to his temperament: to James, who was tenacious of the law, the Jerusalem Jews; to Peter, who had o”