One of true characteristics of the Church in the book of Acts is its forward movement. As a result of the persecution in Jerusalem, the Church scattered throughout the adjoining regions and nations. Areas that may not have been reached with the Gospel for some time were suddenly transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit cultural barriers were crossed and traditional ways of doing things gave way to life-giving transformation.
The New Testament confirms for us that the Church is to always be moving forward with the Gospel, never allowing the complacency of a maintenance perspective to hinder it. Belief in the power of the Gospel is demonstrated through the forward movement of those who hold to such belief.
Not only was the Gospel moving forward in ways that early believers could scarcely imagine, newly formed local congregations were birthed with a mission-focused DNA. Early on the church in Antioch began sending key leaders out to plant churches into other regions. The new church in Ephesus eventually reproduced itself in the cities of Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Paul commends even the church in Thessalonica for reproducing itself into surrounding areas.
It’s clear that early on the New Testament Church recognized that its purpose for existence was found in the mission given it by Jesus Christ. Going into all the world and making disciples of all nations had become a mode of operation for the early Church.
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