Lesson 363: "The First Christian Preacher"
I was recently asked who the first person to preach Christianity to the Romans in the Bible. It is hard to make this determination since many received the Holy Spirit and began to preach at the same time (Acts 2), but I understand that Peter was the first to preach Christianity to the Romans. (The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch-Acts 11:26). However, in Acts 10 Peter was sent to Cornelius, the centurion who was a Roman and in Acts 11:19 it was understood that God had granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life. Acts 11:20 “some of them” went into Antioch and began to speak to Greeks, Barnabas went to Antioch first and then went to find Paul in Tarsus (Acts 11:25).
Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who first persecuted Christians until a bright light struck him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). A voice asked him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me”? When Saul asked who it was Jesus identified Himself with His Church; “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Saul’s conversion is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Saul was named Paul on his first missionary journey in Cyprus (Acts 13:9) and he became just as passionate spreading Christianity as he was persecuting Christians prior to his conversion.
Paul’s letter to the Romans opens with the essential belief of Christianity (Romans 1:1-4) and addresses the importance of the Gospel message for humanity (1:16 through 3:20) as well as justification through faith in Christ (3:21 through 5:21). Paul perceptively recognized the eternal struggle in humanity between the spirit and the flesh and the need for the Christian life to overcome this tragic state (chapters 6 through 8). Chapters 9 through 11 of Romans discuss Israel’s relation to the Church and chapters 12 through 16 of Roman’s present the moral duties of the Christian life.
Regardless of who preached the first message of salvation in the Bible or who preached the first message of salvation to you, Jesus Christ has spoken the last message through the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18). “These are the Words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Ruler of God’s Creation. You are neither cold nor hot, so because you are lukewarm I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:14-16)! “If anyone’s name was not found in the Book of Life he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15). Do not wait for this final message! Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior today (Hebrews 4:7) and be one of those who believe (Hebrews 10:39)!