Ancient Techniques
Christianity began to spread out of its Palestinian roots after the death of Jesus and the powerful conversion of the Apostle Paul, a Jewish Pharisee who helped shape the new movement. Early Christian outreach used mainly oral strategies such as apologetic debates and testimonies, along with some written materials, to spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. The Apostles continued with Jesus’ command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” delivering four main witness points: the divinity of Jesus, his death and resurrection, his fulfillment of numerous Messianic prophecies, and his exhortation to believe and repent.
Expansion of Early Christianity
By the 2nd century CE, Christian communities were widely established and growing throughout the Latin-speaking world. However, controversy over theological differences posed a challenge to the spread of Christianity, leading to heresies, schisms, and internecine struggles. The most significant challenge was the formation of a centralized Church organization and its doctrinal foundation.
These difficulties were eventually resolved in the early 4th century CE with the emergence of the Catholic Church, led by the ruling Roman Emperor Constantine. Constantine recognized Christianity as the official faith of the Roman Empire, effectively ending the prolonged persecutions of earlier Christian believers. His Edict of Milan also mandated that all subjects in the Roman Empire should be allowed to practice the Christian faith and accepted as equals in society.
Proselytizing Missions
The Edict of Milan marked a new era in Christianity, as it opened up an atmosphere of acceptance and favor toward it. In the wake of this shift, Christian missionaries began to embark on proselytizing missions to spread the Word of God to far corners of the world.
Missionary work of this period was commonly associated with Roman Catholicism, although some Protestant movements also adopted the practice. Major missionary orders such as the Jesuits and Franciscans pioneered Christian missions across the Americas and Asia. Missionaries were able to reach more remote areas of the world, including the tribes of Africa and South America, that could not be reached by conventional means.
Missionary Efforts in the 21st Century
Despite its rapid spread in the early centuries, Christianity subsequently slowed down its spread by the late 20th century. However, in the 21st century, Christianity is once again gaining traction, with millions of Christians joining churches around the world.
Christianity today plays an integral role in the lives of some 2.3 billion people. There are now more than 700 million Protestants, 250 million Catholics, 220 million Orthodox, and 270 million independents. Various 21st-century Christian movements like the New Apostolic Reformation have sought to rekindle the missionary spirit of the early Church, while organizations such as Operation World, a global initiative which uses technology to share the gospel, have also sprouted up and gained traction.
Cultural Challenges
As Christianity continues to spread in many parts of the world, it is also facing challenges from various cultures, religions and environments. In some countries, for example, Christianity is viewed as a foreign faith, and even met with hostility. Even with these obstacles, many missionaries continue to press on, finding creative and non-confrontational ways of spreading the Gospel.
The challenge today for Christians, as world religions continue to grow and strengthen, is to present a message which remains true to the Scriptures but is also sensitive to the realities of the culture. In some parts of the world, the Gospel is having a profound impact by taking the message of Christ to the unreached and marginalized. Many missionaries are working in communities that are less accessible and less familiar with the Christian faith.
Technology and Social Media
The advancement of technology has enabled Christianity to reach vast numbers of people through modern media outlets. Platforms such as radio, television, and social media has allowed Christians to share their faith with those who would not usually hear it in traditional ways.
In addition to traditional media outlets, there are now myriad online platforms designed specifically for Christianity. For example, online Bible studies and podcasts, along with blogs and podcasts, provide timely messages of hope and inspiration to readers around the world.
Changes in Sacred Texts
Throughout its history, Christianity has adapted a range of texts to spread its message. The Bible, of course, remains central, but over the years believers have also added sacred texts to their canon, such as the Qur’an and Bhagavad Gita.
The Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, has played an especially important role in the spread of Christianity, allowing first- and second-century Greek-speaking communities to more easily understand the Hebrew Scriptures. Similarly, Christianity has adapted scriptures and prayers from various countries and cultures in its spread around the world.
Branching Out to Other Nations
Christians have also spread their faith to other countries, engaging followers in new and unfamiliar contexts. As Christianity was slowly introduced to unfamiliar cultures, there were often changes in the format and content of the faith. For example, Eastern Orthodox Christianity developed in the far east with its own distinct doctrines, practices, and teachings.
There are now Christians scattered across the globe, worshiping together in numerous denominations and styles. As Christianity continues to experience renewal and transformational growth, it will have a far-reaching impact on society and culture.
Adapting to Modern Lifestyles
Over recent centuries, Christianity has adapted itself to the industrial and digital age, transforming its mission to take advantage of the modern lifestyle. Church gatherings have transitioned from weekly services to a variety of formats, including discussion-based gatherings, virtual services, and short-term mission trips.
In addition, technology has opened up the possibility of extending the church beyond the traditional four walls. For example, webcasting has enabled Christians to spread the gospel to viewers around the world, as well as engage in real-time conversations with followers from any location.
Evangelism in the Workplace
Traditionally, Christian evangelism has been thought of as a mission to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. However, with Christianity becoming increasingly accepted in the workplace, evangelism can now take place in an office environment.
A non-threatening environment of the workplace provides an opportunity for Christians to discuss their faith without offending anyone and without any pressure to convert. This allows Christians to develop meaningful relationships with their colleagues and to share the gospel through conversation and example. Furthermore, workplace evangelism helps Christians share their faith within their social circles, encouraging them to become active witnesses of the gospel.
Reaching Out to the Dejected
Despite numerous opportunities to spread the message of Christianity around the world, there is still much work to be done. The world is filled with people living in desperate poverty and brokenness, long disconnected from the comfort and hope of the gospel.
Missionaries continue to search for strategies to reach the most broken and dejected in the world. At times, this involves sending out individual missionaries to reach one person at a time, while other strategies involve creating strong networks which can support the work of local missionaries.
Integrating Practices and Customs
As Christianity encountered various cultures and customs around the world, it began to integrate various local practices into its mission and teachings. For example, the nineteenth century saw a rise in Christian music, making it more accessible and enjoyable to those who couldn’t necessarily read Latin to understand the Scriptures.
Today, many worship services are conducted in the local language of the people and include a selection of music from local cultures. Also, missionaries today strive to share the gospel through story-telling, incorporating the narrative of Scripture into the lives of everyday people. In this way, Christianity is being blended with local customs, making it more accessible and engaging to those coming to know the faith.
