From Jerusalem to You

1. HISTORY IS HIS STORY

Our study of history usually comes in bits and pieces, which does not give us the opportunity to see how the pieces fit together and to see the big picture of which they are a small part. This book will reveal the big picture.

It will also reveal the meaning of history. Some scholars have said that history is the story of the rise and fall of nations. Others say that history is the story of the development of the human race and the upward progress of civilization.

There is a much more important theme in history that gives it meaning. History is the story of God’s activity in the world, and traces the progress of his plan to draw all people everywhere to Himself. History is His Story. It is the story of the Kingdom of God, explaining how God is extending his rule over the individuals, families, tribes and nations of the world.

The Beginning of History

History begins with the creation of the first humans by God, and their rejection of his rule over them. This rebellion put the human race on the road to self-destruction, a road characterized by idolatry, violence, addictions, wars, hatreds, greed, fear and deception. The result has been constant tragedy and sorrow.

The Old Testament tells us of the beginning of God’s attempt to bring the lost and suffering human race back to Himself. God selected a man named Abraham, who lived in the city of Ur near the Persian Gulf, and told him that he and his descendents had been chosen to be God’s ambassadors to the people of the world. The rest of the Old Testament tells of how the descendents of Abraham, the Israelites, repeatedly failed to accomplish this task. Instead of urging the nations around them to worship God, they adopted the idolatry of these nations.

The results of Israel’s disobedience were defeat and disaster and exile to Assyria and Babylonia. After seventy years of exile in Babylonia, a small group of humbled Israelites, mainly from the tribe of Judah, returned to the land of Israel to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. There they waited for the arrival of a leader promised to them by God, a Messiah who would reestablish them as a nation of God’s people.

The Center of History

The arrival of this Messiah is the central moment of all history. That is why it is so appropriate that all human history is divided into BC and AD, that is, the years before and the years after the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.

Jesus’ first message was that he had come to establish the Kingdom of God. His followers assumed that he was going to restore the nation of Israel, and serve as its king. They anticipated that he would lead them in a war of independence, to break free from the Roman Empire. However, Jesus declared that the kingdom he was establishing was not political but spiritual. His kingdom would be the rule of God over the hearts and lives of people everywhere.

To permit a reunion of sinful people and a holy God, Jesus died a sacrificial death, thus providing forgiveness and reconciliation. Before leaving the earth and resuming his position as God, Jesus told his followers to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to give them courage and wisdom and power. Then they were to go into all the surrounding nations to tell everyone that Jesus had opened the door to forgiveness and fellowship with God.

The Growth of the Kingdom

The 120 believers gathered in a home in Jerusalem, and the Holy Spirit filled and inspired them, as Jesus had promised. Thus the Church of Jesus Christ was initiated, and its outreach began in the city of Jerusalem.

What followed is nearly two thousand years of the growth of the Christian Church. Jesus pictured the growth of his Church in his parable of the mustard plant. It begins as a very small seed. But when it is planted it grows quickly to become a large bush, to which birds come to make their nests in its outreaching branches. One hundred twenty believers in the city of Jerusalem were the tiny seed. In two thousand years they would become two billion people in all areas of the world who profess faith in Jesus Christ. This is the central theme of history.

History’s Lessons

The study of the spread of Christianity is very valuable. The lives and exploits of God’s servants in past centuries inspire us. As we read of their vision and dedication, their courage and faith, we are encouraged to live a similar life of commitment and outreach.

Tracing the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to our ancestors and to us teaches us that we are members of a huge family and are participants in a mighty movement of God. We will be able to appreciate our spiritual roots, and trace our spiritual genealogy. That will give us an understanding of who we are and why we are here.

As we read of the work of God’s servants in past centuries, we will learn of their successes and their failures. This will give us insight as to how we can most effectively reach out to people today.

We may also find ourselves setting aside some of our prejudices against other Christian groups. Reading of their origins and activities, we will see how God has used all of them in his great desire to reach all people everywhere.

This study will also help us focus on the remaining task. We will become aware of tribes and groups and nations that are still waiting to hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. This will increase our commitment to do our part in extending the Kingdom of God through all the world.