Lessons from history
After the martyrdom of Stephen, fear spread among the believers, and they were scattered. They fled Jerusalem but carried their faith wherever they went. These people who followed Jesus were called the “people of the way”. From that time until today, the church has faced various changes, challenges, and unspeakable sufferings; however, the gospel message has reached almost all parts of the world. Nevertheless, those who follow Jesus Christ still make up only 28.8% of the population. Therefore, to grasp the challenges and increase the Christian reach, we must study the past and learn from it.
The early church
Following the time of the apostles, the church endured one of its most severe periods of widespread persecution. The scriptures or the Christian literature were scarcely available; there were hardly any preachers, teachers, or trainers. Despite the widespread persecution, Christians willingly testified about their faith wherever they went. The Christian faith spread primarily through person-to-person interactions. The Britannica records about the church's growth up to 500 AD in the article "The History of Christian Missions" as follows: "Several factors brought growth to the faith. From the beginning, laypeople—both men and women—conducted the largest part of the mission. Most evangelization occurred in the daily routine as men and women shared their faith with others." The influence was so powerful that, as a result, nations became Christ-centered as kings, politicians, and business leaders became Christians. When the persecution ended in 313 AD, it was estimated that Christians constituted 10 percent of the Roman Empire.
The Church and the medieval period
After Constantine became a Christian, Christianity started to spread fast. Many who saw the benefit of identifying with the Christian faith poured into the church. The Church gained political and financial prominence and eventually held immense power and influence throughout the European Middle Ages, which lasted roughly from the 5th to the 15th centuries. The institutionalized church’s authority dictated religious practices, influenced political affairs, and provided a sense of unity and order in a fragmented Europe. Christianity spread faster with the combination of political and papal authority.
However, the spread of Christianity was through political heavy-handedness, forced conversions, battles, invasions, and crusades. Although Christianity spread more rapidly, in the long run, it encountered more resistance.
Early modern era
The fall of Constantinople, Columbus’s voyage, the dawn of exploration, the invention of the printing press that led to the spread of ideas, and the Protestant Reformation marked the end of the medieval period and the beginning of the early modern era. European powers engaged in extensive overseas exploration and colonization. Missionaries used these avenues to introduce Christianity to the Americas, Africa, and Asia. They established schools and hospitals, providing education and healthcare services. However, the combination of invasion and colonization led to cultural disruption and the suppression and annihilation of indigenous traditions and leadership. These cast a long shadow over missionary efforts, viewing them as instruments of the invaders, which generated resentment and resistance.
Modern era
The American Revolution, the French Revolution, the rise of democracy, world wars, the Cold War, industrialization, globalization, and advancements in scientific and information technologies made the modern era the most dynamic period in human history. Revolutions, resistances, and freedom struggles brought an end to colonization. As countries gained independence, missionaries were sent out, and the church began to face severe persecution in many parts of the world.
Twentieth century and beyond
In the early nineties, revival meetings, public proclamation of the gospel, and missionaries were welcomed with open arms. By the mid-nineties, they started to face stiff resistance worldwide, including in Western countries. Secularization has weakened Christian influence in politics, education, business, and society at large, while scandals and doctrinal divisions have fractured communities, driving many to leave the church.
Since the 1960s, traditional denominational churches have largely stagnated, while evangelicals and independent, interdenominational congregations have experienced significant growth. By the 1970s and 1980s, many of these became mega-churches driven by charismatic preaching, vibrant worship, effective communication, social media, and effective children’s programs. Yet most of their growth came from Christians switching churches rather than new believers being added to the church.
Lessons from history
During the early church, despite facing persecution, torture, and death, many people started to put their faith in Jesus Christ. The main reason is that the laypeople, both men and women, conducted the most significant part of the mission. Most witnessing occurred in the daily routine as men and women shared their faith with their circle of influence. People became Christians in prisons and palaces; even slaves, slave masters, business leaders, and politicians accepted Christ and added to the Church, primarily because of personal influences.
We are living at a time when there is a subtle yet powerful resistance to Christians worldwide. Leaving the responsibility to missionaries, mission agencies, and outreach events is not a fruitful approach. The most effective, undeniable, and powerful mission is for each Christian to live as a witness. May your life transform in such a way that it becomes a letter from Christ to your family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, so that they may experience Christ in and through your life.