Church and Mission
Epoch 112 · c. AD 46–62
Gospel to the Nations through Paul
The missionary expansion of the church carries the gospel across the Roman world among both Jews and Gentiles.
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Bible references
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Scripture in full
The passages connected to this timeline moment are shown in full below.
Acts 13:1-3
Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church that was there: Barnabas, and Simeon (who was called Niger), and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. And while they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they had fasted and prayed and placed their hands on them, they sent them away.
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Acts 16:6-10
And they traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. And when they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. So going through Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a certain Macedonian man was standing there and imploring him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” And when he had seen the vision, we wanted at once to go away to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
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Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in it from faith to faith, just as it is written, “But the one who is righteous by faith will live.”
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Why this moment matters
The mission proves that Abraham's blessing is reaching the nations through Christ. Churches are planted where the Spirit opens doors.
About this section
The risen Christ pours out the Spirit and sends His people to bear witness from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Further study
Previous epoch
Epoch 111 · c. AD 30
Pentecost and the Spirit's Gift
Next epoch
Epoch 113 · c. AD 60–95
Churches Strengthened with Apostolic Teaching
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