Part 5: The Church's Origins and Spread
The disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit's promise. They were all together on the day of Pentecost, a Jewish feast 50 days after Passover. A powerful wind-like sound permeated the house where they were staying. Fire tongues appeared and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Spirit permitted.
Many Jews from many nations gathered in Jerusalem for the feast. They heard the noise and came to check what was going on. When they heard the disciples speaking in their native tongues, they were astounded and puzzled. "What does this mean?" they inquired. Some mocked them, saying, "They are drunk with wine."
One of the apostles, Peter, stepped up and addressed the gathering. He stated that what they witnessed was the fulfillment of Joel's old prophecy that God will pour forth his Spirit on all people in the end days. He also said that the crucified Jesus was the Messiah and Lord, whom God had risen from the dead and exalted to the right side of the Father. He convince them to repent and be baptized in Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
On that day, around 3,000 people believed Peter's message and were baptized. They came together with the disciples to establish the first Christian community. They focused on the apostles' preaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They gave everything they had to those in need. They worshiped God at the temple and at home on a daily basis. They thanked God and gained the approval of the entire community. And the Lord added to their number those who were being saved on a daily basis.
Many miracles and wonders were accomplished by the apostles among the people. They cured the sick, expelled devils, and raised the dead. They were also persecuted by Jewish officials, who detained them, beat them, and forced them not to speak or teach in Jesus' name. But they did not stop boldly and joyfully spreading the gospel.
Internal issues within the church included hypocrisy, deceit, avarice, prejudice, and divisiveness. However, they handled these difficulties with insight, honesty, charity, fairness, and togetherness. They also appointed individuals to serve and oversee the church, such as deacons and elders.
Beyond Jerusalem, the church spread to other regions and nations. Saul (later called Paul), a devout Pharisee who persecuted Christians until he encountered Jesus on his trip to Damascus, was a significant character in this spread. Jesus blinded him and instructed him to travel to Damascus, where he would be instructed on what to do. He was healed there by Ananias, a disciple who baptized him and educated him about Jesus. Saul changed his name to Paul after becoming a zealous speaker of Jesus as the Son of God.
Paul made three missionary travels in Asia Minor, Greece, and Macedonia, establishing churches in locations like Antioch, Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth, and Thessalonica. He also wrote letters to these congregations to advise, encourage, and reprimand them on matters of faith and practice. Along his voyages, he encountered many hardships and perils, including shipwrecks, stonings, beatings, imprisonments, and conspiracies against his life.
Paul also travelled to Rome, the Roman Empire's capital, where he was captured and placed under house arrest for two years. From there, he continued to preach and write letters. Under Emperor Nero, who blamed Christians for a huge fire that devastated Rome, he was eventually executed by hanging.
Other apostles also travelled and preached in various locations. Peter travelled to Rome and became the leader of the local church. He also addressed two letters to Christians in Asia Minor, exhorting them to keep their faith and hope strong. According to tradition, he was likewise executed via crucifixion upside down.
John travelled to Ephesus and became an elder in the church there. He also addressed three letters to Christians in Asia Minor, exhorting them to love one another and to be steadfast in Christ. He also penned the Book of Revelation, a visionary book that exposes the church's, the world's, and Christ's ultimate fate. He was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he heard Jesus' revelation. According to tradition, he was the only apostle who died naturally.
Other apostles and disciples, such as James to Spain, Thomas to India, Philip to Ethiopia, Andrew to Scythia, Bartholomew to Armenia, Matthew to Persia, Simon the Zealot to Egypt, Jude to Mesopotamia, and Mark to Alexandria, also spread the gospel to other regions. Most of them were martyred in various ways for their faith.
Despite Jewish and Roman persecution, the church flourished fast in the first centuries. It was also plagued by erroneous teachings such as Gnosticism, Marcionism, Montanism, and Arianism. It responded by convening councils and writing creeds to define and defend basic Christian ideas such as the Trinity, the incarnation, atonement, and resurrection.
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