Missional Geography of the Early Church

As a sophomore in college with a history minor, I took a world geography class.  I enjoyed my somewhat animated professor who liked to remind us that when studying geography, we need to have our mental map out and ready for use in class.  I will admit that some days, my mental map was blurry and fuzzy, but his words stuck with me as I realized the value of a mental map.  Like that world geography class, a mental map is so valuable when it comes to Bible study. I would even go so far as to say that a few Scripture passages don’t come to full light unless you can visually trace the geography of the passage on a map.  

Studying geography for things like battle locations, precious resource locations, or city/nation locations, only gives you a small part of its value.  In the New Testament, geography was significant for Jesus’ ministry.  He often did miracles and taught in specific locations to instigate a response from His followers and the crowds, not to mention His concern for the city of Jerusalem itself in Matthew 23:37.  After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven, He tasks His followers with a (co)mission to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, preaching and teaching all nations.  So, when you read the Book of Acts, which is part of the New Testament genre called Church History, geography is essential to getting the full picture.  

When you look at the structure of Acts, it is apparent that geography is important to Luke.  At the very beginning, in Acts 1:8, Jesus prophetically predicts the physical progress of the Gospel, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Gospel will start in Jerusalem and then move outward until it reaches the ends of the earth.  Additionally, throughout the Book of Acts, Luke includes seven progress reports (2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:30-31) that show the success and progress of the Gospel into different areas and regions.  Some scholars have shown that Acts can be geographically outlined using those seven reports.

A favorite seminary professor of mine had us memorize his purpose statement on Acts, “Luke records the sovereign progression of the Gospel message from Jesus in Jerusalem to the Gentiles in Rome in order to show the Church is also heir to the Kingdom.”  Key in on that word “sovereign.” Luke’s readers must understand that the Gospel is on the move because God is sovereignly behind it, and nothing can be done to obstruct its progress.  Geography might change as cities incorporate more land, as boundaries of nations are adjusted, and as rivers erode, but what has not changed is God’s heart.  He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. The amazing and life-changing part of His plan is that He chooses to use us (the Church) to take the Gospel message to all parts of the earth, both near and far.  You might not be able to go to the ends of the earth, but you can go across the street and share the Good News!