The Jerusalem Council Applied: Proceedings of the ISFM 2006 Conference, Part II Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts

by John Ridgway

Introduction n this paper, I would like to argue for the validity and usefulness of the “insider movement” concept by demonstrating its existence in the early I church. Therefore, I would like to undertake a personal biblical reflection of the Scriptures with specific reference to the Gospels and the Book of Acts.

Furthermore, I would like to demonstrate that at the heart of the gospel from Genesis to Revelation is God’s desire to reconcile every ethnic com- munity through “insiders” in those communities and through mobile apostolic leaders and their teams who would go to every ethnic community. This would not occur through organized but through ’ intro- duction of the kingdom of God. Jesus himself was an insider who inspired insider movements. His preaching of the kingdom introduced a mindset Editor’s Note: This paper is the first into the early apostles and the other disciples that would enable them to not part of a much longer discussion of only be insiders in their own communities but also to take the gospel to all “insider movements” in the New Testament. A second paper focused on the ethnic communities of the world, as they lived out a kingdom lifestyle “insider movements” in the Epistles amongst the lost nations. is currently planned for an upcoming issue of IJFM. My purpose in this paper is to give my own perspective, based on prayerful study of the Scriptures and 27 years of experience living in the Hindu and John Ridgway completed a PhD in Muslim worlds. My hope is that these thoughts will add some clarity to the Solid State Physics from the University current discussion on this most important subject. of NSW in Sydney, Australia in 1970. He has served on the staff of the In his paper “The Key to Insider Movements: The ‘Devoted’s’ of Acts”1 Navigators since 1971 and is currently (published in the proceedings of the 2004 ISFM meetings in St. Louis), Kevin a consultant with the Asian Navigators with special focus on the Frontier Higgins attempted to come up with a detailed working definition of the term c contexts. He and his wife Ruth and “insider movement.” I quote: their two children lived for 27 years A growing number of families, individuals, clans, and/or friendship-webs becom- in both Hindu and Muslim contexts ing faithful disciples of Jesus within the culture of their people group, including in South Asia during which time John their religious culture. This faithful discipleship will express itself in culturally appro- was a technical consultant for several priate communities of believers who will also continue to live within as much of US and Australian multinational their culture, including the religious life of the culture, as is biblically faithful. The companies. Presently John and his Holy Spirit, through the Word and through His people will also begin to transform family reside in Denver, CO. His people and their culture, religious life and worldview. International Journal of Frontier Missiology 24:2 Summer 2007•77 78 Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts Some may take exception to this defini- Scripture foresaw that God would From conception to death, he experi- tion as it includes the phrases “their justify the Gentiles by faith, and enced every detail of human experi- religious culture” and “the religious announced the gospel in advance to ence and was “tempted in every way, life of the culture.” In my own experi- Abraham: “All nations (ethnic groups) just as we are—yet was without sin” ence, it is not possible to distinguish will be blessed through you.” As we (Hebrews 4:15). The author again between the cultural and religious life look at Genesis 12:1-3 we notice at says, “He too shared in their human- of a Hindu community as it all blends least three key elements in the gospel ity” and “he had to be made like his together to make up the physical identity announced to Abraham: brothers in every way” (Hebrews of that community. This physical 2:14, 17). Not only did Jesus become • Abraham would experience identity relates to everything that can personal blessing that would be a total insider to the human race but be seen.It encompasses the culture, through faith rather than the also a total insider to the Jewish race the religious system and festivals, the law (Romans 4:13) as “a descendant of David” (Romans linguistic and ethnic realities, the social • Members of Abraham’s family/ 1:3). Jesus adopted a customary trade, and economic system, etc. However, community/natural network paid taxes, made pilgrimages to the the entrance of the Good News can who were responsive would also Temple, observed the Jewish customs bring about a spiritual transformation and laws. that results in a spiritual identity that At the beginning of his public minis- commences with the second birth and try, he began to preach the kingdom enables the person to become a citizen Yet there are of heaven (Matthew 4:17) and the of the kingdom of God.In due course, good news of the kingdom (Matthew this spiritual transformation can affect certain insights that 4:23). Jesus was talking a new lan- whole families, their communities, guage. He was introducing new con- their lifestyles, their relationships, and emerge, that appear to cepts, new expressions, new values, the society as a whole.These fami- be common to hundreds new outcomes that had always been in lies and communities of believers are of movements to the mind of God. This great theme of being formed from pre-existing social the kingdom runs through the whole networks and as a result maintain their Christ. . Jim Petersen and Mike Shamy physical identity whilst growing in have amplified these thoughts in their their spiritual identity and therefore book, The Insider.3 Jesus’ command become the people of God in that part was to “seek first his kingdom and his of society. So I will use Higgins’ defini- receive God’s blessing righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) and tion with this understanding of it. • “And all the families (Hebrew (See indeed, the theme of the kingdom also the definition in Lewis, “Promoting mishpāchōt “extended fami- lies”) on earth will be blessed dominated his Sermon on the Mount Movements to Christ within Natural (Matthew 5-7). Communities,” pp. 75-76, this issue.) through you” The DNA of the gospel contained: By Matthew 13, Jesus is giving seven As we seek to describe the events different descriptions of the kingdom that occurred in the first century, we • a faith response to the promise of of heaven. The kingdom is global. recognize that the birth of the Christian God It includes both wheat and weeds. movement was a unique point in history. • a blessing to a responsive com- munity The Son of Man and the evil one are In that sense, such events will never be • a blessing to all the peoples (ethnic strategic influencers. The kingdom repeated. Yet, there are certain insights communities) on the earth. appears to be without religious struc- that emerge, that appear to be common ture. It seems chaotic and undefined. to hundreds of movements to Christ The remainder of the Old Testament (Notice that Jesus said let the wheat over the last 2000 years of Christian his- documents God’s purposes for the and the weeds grow together.) tory, as documented by numerous people Jewish nation in particular and yet including Kenneth Scott Latourette.2 I His concern for the nations of the In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asks his believe that these insights have applica- world. This concern would find its full disciples how the people understood tion for us in the 21st century. expression with the entry of Jesus into his identity as the Son of Man. This this world. was a title that referred to a heavenly Origins of the First Century ruler with an everlasting kingdom Jesus the Insider Gospel Movement that would rule all mankind (“all When Jesus entered human history, The idea of insider communities was peoples, nations, and men of every he entered as an insider. John 1:14 tells embedded in the gospel from the language”, Daniel 7:13-14) in contrast us, “The Word became flesh and lived beginning. Galatians 3:8 tells us, “The to a title that was associated with for awhile among us.” Jewish Nationalism. This subject is International Journal of Frontier Missiology John Ridgway 79 explored in considerable depth by esus the insider was beginning to spawn an Rick Brown.4 The disciples replied to Jesus’ question with the answer, insider movement within the Jewish community “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah and beyond. J new kingdom mindset would in due or one of the prophets.” It seemed Mark 1-4 records the beginnings of the crowds only saw Jesus as a Jewish a Galilean Jewish insider movement course enable these men to think prophet: his physical identity. Then commencing in Capernaum. There beyond their Jewish community and he asked the disciples, “But who do Jesus recruited the early disciples and religious structures. you say that I am?” Peter’s response cast out evil spirits. As a result, “news Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan focused on Jesus’ spiritual identity: about him spread quickly over the woman in John 4 was quite a shock

“You are the Christ.” The physical whole region of Galilee” (Mark 1:28). to the disciples. However, it started identity was seen.The spiritual identity By Mark 6:30-44, we find Jesus feed- an insider movement in that place was perceived.With this clarity, Jesus ing at least 5,000 such followers.The as many Samaritans believed the declared his role as the church builder. Scripture indicates that these were woman’s (insider) testimony. Jesus Then Jesus declared our role as those men, and so the actual number would stayed with this community for who are to use the keys of the kingdom. no doubt have been more. two days, and “many more became From Matthew 18:1 to 20:28 Jesus Jesus encouraged others to be insiders. believers.” There is no record of illustrates the values of the kingdom. When he sent out the apostles, he sent the disciples being with him when In Matthew 21-22, Jesus tells three them into the area where they were Jesus stayed in this Samaritan town. stories about the kingdom directed from (where they were insiders). In Thus, the disciples were witnessing against the chief priests and the Matthew 10:5 in the Message, it says, an insider movement outside of their Pharisees. In Matthew 24, Jesus “Go to the lost, confused people right own community. The disciples at this explains the connection between the here in the neighborhood.” stage were probably not aware of the gospel of the kingdom and the end of implications of Jesus’ actions. Stuart John’s Gospel (chapters 2-3; 7-10; the age. Then Jesus tells three stories Caldwell5 has utilized this account in 11ff) records the details of the begin- about the kingdom in Matthew 25 John 4 to demonstrate very useful par- nings of a Judean Jewish insider move- that are directed to his disciples, and allels to ministry amongst Muslims. ment. In John 2:23, John 7:31 and in Matthew 26 he relates the last John 8:30 we are told that in each of In Mark 5:1, we have the record of supper to his Father’s kingdom. these situations many people believed Jesus crossing the lake to the Gentile The whole kingdom lifestyle seemed in Jesus. Even over to the east of the region of the Gerasenes where Jesus independent of any religious structure. river Jordan in the district of Perea, heals a Gentile man named Legion In fact, it would enable a Jew to live as we are told in John 10:42 that “in that as he apparently had about 2,000 a new believer in his Jewish society. It place many believed in Jesus.” demons in him. Again there is no would actually enable any individual, record of the disciples getting out By the time of Jesus’ resurrection, family, or community to live out the of the boat possibly because it was there were at least 120 believers in gospel in their own society no matter a Gentile region and also it was a Jerusalem (Acts 1:15) with thou- what its religious nature. place of tombs and there were also sands of followers overall. An insider an abundance of pigs there. After The genius of the good news of the movement within the Jewish nation at the amazing encounter with Jesus kingdom was that it was so simple, large was underway, including Judean this man is completely restored and involving a change of heart and as well as Galilean believers. More begs Jesus to let him go with him. following the ways of the kingdom significantly, Samaritan and Gentile Jesus, however, sends the Gerasene in discipleship to Jesus the king. It movements were to begin as well. demoniac back to share with his own could work within any cultural/reli- Jesus the Apostle Starting people, who were Gentiles, and tell gious framework since its allegiance Two Insider Movements them what the Lord had done for was not to a religious structure but to Jesus was not only an insider, but he him and how he had experienced the God’s kingdom. was also our apostle (Hebrews 3:1). Lord’s mercy. We are told the man Jesus the Insider Starting He trained 12 apostles. The good went away and began to tell everyone Two Insider Movements news of the kingdom would enable how much Jesus had done for him. Jesus the insider was beginning to these men not only to experience the This was the beginning of a Gentile spawn insider movements within the new birth and become citizens of insider movement taking place in that Jewish community and beyond. the kingdom, but also be carriers of area known as the Decapolis.6 Jesus the good news to the nations. This then went north to Tyre and Sidon,

24:2 Summer 2007 80 Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts met the Syro-Phoenician woman, and and a spiritual community (the kingdom The author of Hebrews explained it then came back on the eastern side of of God) that would take it beyond the this way in Hebrews 10:1, “The law is the Jordan, which was predominantly confines of the Jewish religious tradi- only a shadow of the good things that Gentile. Not long after this, Jesus is tions and culture. Luke 16:16 tells are coming—not the realities them- feeding 4,000 followers there (Mark us that “The Law and the Prophets selves.” Again, he states, “They are 7:31 and 8:1-10). And so a Gentile were proclaimed until John.” The Old only a matter of food and drink and insider movement was well under way Testament covenant/message was various ceremonial washings—exter- in this district of the Decapolis where “obedience to the LORD through the nal regulations applying until the time there were ten cities.7 Law” (old wine) in the context/frame- of the new order” (Hebrews 9:10). work of “the Law and the Prophets” But this kingdom mindset would lead Entering this kingdom was not based (old wineskin). But Luke 16:16 Jesus down a dangerous path with on one’s religion or one’s own righteous continues, “Since that time, the good the Jewish establishment of that time. performance within that religious news of the kingdom of God is being As Jesus entered his public minis- system but on a vulnerable humble preached, and everyone is forcing his try, within the first week, he was in heart that trusted the King. Jesus way into it.” conflict with the Jewish leadership. illustrated this stark difference in Luke We are told that Jesus went down to 18:9-14 when he told the story of the Jerusalem from Capernaum to attend Pharisee and the tax collector praying the Jewish Passover. This kingdom in the temple. The Pharisee prayed (to/ When Jesus entered the temple about himself) regarding his religious complex (among the largest in the mindset would lead righteousness, but the tax collector Roman world) to celebrate the Jewish asked for God’s mercy, and he was the

Passover in the first week of his public Jesus down a dangerous one whom God justified.Since entry ministry (John 2:13-22), he found the path with the Jewish into the kingdom is through a second temple courts being used for the sale birth and not through the first birth, it of sacrificial animals. Such behaviour establishment of is open to all mankind. was totally unacceptable, as God’s that time. Post-Pentecost house had been turned into a “den of Finally, the entrance of the Holy robbers.” Jesus stopped the sale of all Spirit at Pentecost now enabled all these sacrificial animals and cleared that Jesus had done and said to be out the whole temple area. Naturally, The New Testament covenant/mes- translated into action in the lives this action of Jesus greatly upset the sage was to be “obedient to the of people. The focus was no longer religious leaders. They demanded LORD through faith” (new wine) in a magnificent temple in Jerusalem from Jesus, “What miraculous sign the context/framework of the king- can you show us to prove your author- dom (new wineskin). (although as insiders the Jewish ity to do all this?” Jesus answered believers still continued to worship The Old Covenant focused on the there), or any other building such as them, “Destroy this temple, and I will physical, whereas the New Covenant raise it again in three days.” The Jews the great mosques of Medina and focused on the spiritual within the Mecca, or the lofty cathedrals of thought he was referring to Herod’s person, not on physical structures. Europe, or the huge mega-churches temple, “But the temple he had Spiritual wine must be poured into of America, or the ancient temples spoken of was his body.” However, a spiritual wineskin, the kingdom of this insight did not make sense until  and shrines of , God, and not into physical wineskins and Shintoism, etc. The focus was now after Jesus’ resurrection. (religious systems). Paul explained in on the Holy Spirit living in us. We have From this point onwards, Jesus’ Romans 9:4 that “temple worship” become the temple of the living God focus was not on the physical Jewish was one of the privileges of being (1 Corinthians 3:16), and as living Temple, but on the good news of the a Jew (Old Testament). However, stones, we are becoming a holy temple kingdom. The offering of His body Romans 12:1 tells us “to offer our built by God, all of us built into it, would enable our bodies to become bodies as living sacrifices, holy and a temple in which God lives by His temples of the living God in which pleasing to God—this is our spiritual Spirit (Ephesians 2:21-22). He would dwell. worship” which is to be worked out in the real physical world. This is one of No longer was there an association My own reflection on the gospels the privileges of being a citizen of the with holy cities such as Jerusalem, would suggest the possibility that the kingdom of God (New Testament). good news of the kingdom was provid- Constantinople, Rome, Medina, ing a spiritual message (the good news) Mecca, Ayodhya, etc. No longer

International Journal of Frontier Missiology here has hardly been any translation work done in very small languages and . . . there is not not likely T to be much more.

John Ridgway 81 was there bondage to the laws of he focus had shifted from holy cities and Moses as the means of salvation or to any dogma of any religious to a kingdom community that system, including , Buddhism, embraced people from all the nations. Hinduism, Shintoism, Communism, T and even Christianity. The laws, would enable movements of the good of Mesopotamia” (Modern Iraq).They dogmas, or even traditions, customs, news to occur in every nation of the represented the Mesopotamian Jews. sacraments of any system were not the world. Then he promised them that Significant response would have taken issue. The issue was faith, enabled by they would be empowered by the Holy place on the Day of Pentecost from all the grace of God, in Jesus Christ. Spirit. This took place on the day of three streams of Jews present on that

Now the message was very simple: Pentecost in Jerusalem when “God- day. Let us now follow the expan- “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from fearing Jews from every nation under sion of the gospel among the second the dead, descended from David. This heaven” (Acts 2:5) were present. Also stream, namely the Galilean and is my gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8). converts to as well as Cretans Judean Jews, as well as the Grecian and Arabs were there. These Jews Jews, i.e., the third stream. We will Now the expression was very simple: came from Mesopotamia in the East; look at the first stream in more detail the kingdom of God, a spiritual Galatia and Asia Minor in the North; in the next section. community not associated with any Rome, Crete and Cyrene in the West, After Peter spoke on the Day religion or nation or ideology, but in and Egypt in the South. fact the reign of God through Christ, of Pentecost, about 3000 people From my own reading of the account responded. The new believers met not only in the lives of people on this in Acts there appears to have been at every day in their homes and in the earth but also over all beings in the least three streams of Jews present on temple courts. Every day new people heavenly realms. that day. Firstly, there were emigrant were responding (Acts 2:46-47). By Now the transformation was very Mediterranean and Mesopotamian Jews Acts 4:4, the number of men that simple: the Holy Spirit living in who were Jews (first, second, third or had responded was about 5000 which us, transforming our lives and more generation) living in the Roman meant that possibly 15,000-20,000 enabling us to live in harmony with Empire and generally somewhat lax people were involved. A remarkable one another and with all the ethnic in their Jewish practices. They were movement of the gospel indeed, and groups of this world. only in Jerusalem temporarily for accomplished exclusively by insiders. this Pentecost celebration and would By Acts 5:12, the believers were still The focus had shifted from the laws then be returning to their homes in meeting in Solomon’s Colonnade, a of Moses to faith in Christ. The the Mediterranean world. Secondly, porch that ran along the inner side of focus had shifted from holy cities and there were the Galilean and Judean the wall of the Temple that enclosed religions to a kingdom community Jews (Acts 2:7, 9) who were living in the outer court. Men and women that embraced people from all the their own country. Finally, there were were continuing to respond. These nations, yet knew itself as a physical, the Grecian Jews who were Greek- new believers were meeting in the identifiable networks of believers in speaking Jews that had lived in the Temple area to pray. In doing this, the various cities, towns and villages Roman world but had now returned they were merely following their cul- where the gospel had come. permanently to Jerusalem especially to tural and religious norms. Moreover, practice their Jewish faith and were on The birth of the movement of the their homes also became a natural gospel in the first century was now the whole quite strict in their Jewish place for spiritual fellowship and practices. They are mentioned in Acts about to be unleashed. It was free of worship. Every day they continued to 6:1 and 9:29 as well as Acts 6:9. the boundaries of Judaism and of any meet “in the temple courts and from religious or non-religious system. Acts 2:9-10 tells us there were Jews house to house” (Acts 5:42). from “Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Then a further conflict arose between Natural Expansion of Phrygia and Pamphylia (modern Stephen and “Jews of Cyrene and the Gospel amongst the Jews Turkey), Egypt and the parts of Libya Alexandria as well as the provinces of After his resurrection, Jesus spent near Cyrene” representing the eastern 40 days with his disciples discussing Cilicia and Asia” who were members region of the Mediterranean world. of the synagogue of the Freedmen. the kingdom of God. This must have Then there were Jews who were called Freedmen were Jews who had been been an extraordinary occasion as “Parthians (modern Iran), Medes freed from slavery in Cyrene (chief Jesus spent extended time to explore (east of Mesopotamia) and Elamites city in Libya), Alexandria (capital the nature of the kingdom of God (north of the Persian Gulf), residents and how this expression of the gospel of Egypt and second only to Rome

24:2 Summer 2007 82 Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts in the empire), Cilicia (Tarsus was On that same day that godly men Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, the capital of this province) and Asia were burying Stephen “a great Cyprus and Antioch, telling the (Ephesus was the capital). Since Paul persecution broke out against the message only to Jews. Some of them, (Saul at this time) was from Tarsus, it church at Jerusalem, and all except however, men from Cyprus and is very possible that he attended this the apostles were scattered through- Cyrene (Capital of Libya), went to synagogue and may have been one out Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). Antioch and began to speak to Greeks of those among these conservative We are told in Acts 8:3 that “Saul also telling them the good news about Grecian Jews who were arguing with began to destroy the church.” It is the Lord Jesus.” Stephen. Finally, Stephen was brought very likely that most of the believing These Greek-speaking Jews from before the Sanhedrin with charges of, Jews in Jerusalem including some Cyprus and Cyrene, who were very “We have heard Stephen speak words emigrant Jews were sympathizers of likely strong sympathizers of Stephen, of blasphemy against Moses and Stephen. As such, they recognized had already begun to realize that even against God” and “This fellow never that the good news was not just for Greeks could respond to this good stops speaking against the holy place the Jews, but also for all nations and news of the kingdom, a kingdom that and against the law.” Again, they said, that the temple in Jerusalem and the was not defined by Jewish law, tradi- “For we have heard him say that this tion, or customs but could be accepted Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this by anybody of any background. place and change the customs Moses handed down to us” (Acts 6:12-14). This most likely Again, this phenomenon would have seemed strange to the apos- Stephen, who clearly grasped the seemed contrary tles in Jerusalem, and they sent a implications of the good news of Mediterranean Greek-speaking Jew the kingdom, was obviously free of to their current to investigate the situation. When the laws and customs of Moses and Barnabas “saw the evidence of the the magnificent temple of Herod understanding of the grace of God” in Antioch, he was very in Jerusalem. He recognized that good news being only excited and immediately thought of true worship was no longer tied to a another Mediterranean Greek-speak- building but was demonstrated by a for the Jews. ing Jew who was familiar with this changed life (Romans 12:1). However, area and had gone through an amaz- by the time these false witnesses had ing encounter with Jesus himself. So been persuaded to twist his words, he Law of Moses were no longer part of Barnabas went to Tarsus, the capital now appeared to be speaking “words God’s purposes. But now their lives of Cilicia, to search for Saul who was of blasphemy against Moses and were in danger. a Roman citizen by birth and yet had against God.” When the high priest been trained by Gamaliel in Jerusalem challenged Stephen regarding these However, “those who had been scat- to be a leading Pharisee of his day. charges (Acts 7:1), Stephen began to tered (by the persecution) preached Acts 9 tells the events of the amazing present an overview of their Jewish the word wherever they went. Philip encounter that Saul had with Jesus history, up to the time when Solomon went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there” (Acts and the ensuing conflict Saul faced built his magnificent temple. Then with Grecian Jews in Jerusalem who he made the explosive statement, 8:4-5). As a result, many Samaritans saw him as a traitor and were deter- “However, the Most High does not responded, and Peter and John were mined to kill him (Acts 9:29). live in houses made by men” ( Acts sent down to check out this phenome-  7:48). It was clear that he had Herod’s non. This most likely seemed contrary Saul and Barnabas had considerable magnificent temple in Jerusalem in to their current understanding of the influence in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26). mind when he made this statement. good news being only for the Jews. This multicultural, multi-religious Stephen went on to state, “You always Clearly, the Holy Spirit enlarged city was to become the great sending resist the Holy Spirit! . . . You have Peter’s understanding and after he saw base for the apostolic movement (Acts betrayed and murdered the Righteous Gentiles (Cornelius and his relatives 13:1-3) that would touch the rest of One” (Acts 7 :51,52). The Sanhedrin and close friends) respond to the good the Roman Empire and beyond. news, he realized that God “accepts went into pandemonium at these As we reflect on this men from every nation who fear him Jewish insider statements, and Stephen was dragged , we see it starting in and do what is right” (Acts 10:35). movement out of the city and stoned with Saul Jerusalem and spreading throughout standing there giving his approval of Then, Acts 11:19-20 records, “Now Judea, Galilee and Samaria (Acts Stephen’s death. those who had been scattered by 9:31). It initially met in the temple the persecution in connection with courts and then seems to have moved

International Journal of Frontier Missiology John Ridgway 83 more and more into homes. We notice hese men had steadily grasped the implications of in Acts 12:12, that many people were gathered in the home of Mary, the the good news of the kingdom and its expression mother of John, also called Mark, and in their own nation and beyond. they were praying for the apostle Peter. T Persecution forced many believers to Jews were in practice generally quite Gentiles and would not have held to scatter and pass on the good news nominal Jews and were more cul- the same religious traditions? No! wherever they went. In this scattering turally akin to the Greek-speaking That was pressing syncretism upon process, Philip talked to Samaritans. Roman world in which they lived. other believers. However, this whole In addition, Greek-speaking Jews in Being Jews, Barnabas and Saul had issue exploded when Jews from the Jerusalem talked to Greeks in Antioch. a natural bridge to this group, which province of Asia shouted regarding It would appear that over this period in turn had a natural bridge to the Paul, “this is the man who teaches all from Jesus’ ascension until the time Roman world. men everywhere against our people when Barnabas and Saul ministered In fact, we get the impression in Acts and our law and this place (holy in Antioch (about 18-20 years later), temple).” The city of Jerusalem was 21:21 that Paul was actually teach- possibly between 30,000–50,000 Jews ing “all the Jews who lived among the thrown into uproar (Acts 21:31). had responded to the good news. Also Gentiles to turn away from Moses, This led to Paul’s arrest and subse- other movements in Samaria and telling them not to circumcise their quent trials before Felix and Festus. Antioch were spawned in the process. children or live according to our Finally, he was sent to Rome to appear before Caesar. Key leaders were essential for this customs.” This would have enabled movement to take place. Peter was these Mediterranean Jews to relate We also note that Paul had contin- pivotal to the response in Jerusalem. even more closely with their Roman ued with the same strategy of focus- Stephen was the key to the move- and Greek counterparts. They were ing on the lost emigrant Jews as well ment going beyond Jerusalem. Philip emigrant Jews who were becoming as the Gentiles on both his second and was a link for the gospel touching the contextualized culturally and religiously third journeys. In the process, he came Samaritans and the Ethiopian world. for the sake of introducing the good news across responsive Jews as well as

Barnabas and Saul were strategic for to their Greek and Roman friends. It God-fearing Greeks and worshipers the movement in Antioch. Peter later appears that on his first journey Paul of God such as Lydia who responded. influenced Jews in Lydia and Joppa focused on these lost emigrant Jews For example, in Corinth, “Crispus, (Acts 9). These men had steadily first, as they were his own people the synagogue ruler, and his entire grasped the implications of the good and, secondly, as they would have had household believed in the Lord; and news of the kingdom and its expression natural access to the Gentile main- many of the Corinthians who heard in their own nation and beyond. streams of the Roman Empire. There him believed,” (Acts 18:8). And the was some response from this group, Jews in Ephesus wanted to spend Emigrant Expansion of but the primary response was from more time with him (Acts 18:20). the Gospel to the Nations the Gentile world, which became An amazing emigrant Jewish couple Pentecost represented an amazing Paul’s focus. from Pontus (Northern Turkey) was number of emigrant Jews such that It is interesting to note why this dis- Aquila and Priscilla. They had settled Acts 2:5 stated “Now there were cussion in Acts 21:17-25 was occur- in Rome but had been forced to leave staying in Jerusalem God-fearing ring. A large insider movement was and settle in Corinth where Paul Jews from every nation under heaven.” taking place in Judea and beyond. recruited them. Later he asked them These first, second, third or more The elders in Jerusalem said to to shift to Ephesus to help commence generation Jews would have begun to Paul, “many thousands of Jews have the ministry there.Then they returned influence their context wherever they believed and all of them are zeal- to Rome. In Romans 16:4, Paul says lived in the Roman Empire. And, ous for the law.” Was this movement of them, “They risked their lives for of course, their context would have syncretistic? No. Was the leadership me. Not only I but all the churches of influenced them as well. in Jerusalem unable to think beyond the Gentiles are grateful to them.” This

As Barnabas and Saul started their the Jewish religious system? Perhaps. emigrant Jewish couple had impacted missionary journey, this was the Was this movement actually valid Gentiles all over the Roman Empire, first stream of people they sought to since these insiders were expressing and had moved at least four times. impact. Acts 13:5 tells us that after their new faith within their own reli- Today we have ever-increasing Asian arriving in Salamis, “They proclaimed gious system? Yes! Absolutely! Were American and Asian Australian the word of God in the Jewish they right to impose their thinking communities who also have the synagogues.” These Mediterranean on other Jews who lived amongst the capacity to influence not only their 24:2 Summer 2007 84 Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts own communities but also the com- about these initiatives and to sustain well as Gaius and Aristarchus from munities to which they have emi- the initial movements. Macedonia, Sopater from Berea, grated. In Asia, we have Filipinos Aristarchus and Secundus from Now we will look at the apostolic Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, working in Hong Kong, Singapore movement of the gospel recorded from Tychius and Trophimus from Asia and Malaysia. We have Indonesians Acts 13-28. An insider movement Minor also accompanied him. Luke and Indians working in Malaysia does not normally flow into other and Singapore. All of these immi- was also with him for some of the trip ethnic mainstreams without the making up to 12 people as part of this grant communities have an unusual presence of apostles, prophets and mobile team. opportunity to influence their host evangelists. These mobile leaders and communities as well as their their teams are the ones who cause Another key associate was Paul’s own communities. the gospel to go beyond its natural close friend, Titus, whom he prob- The emigrant Jews were often borders into other ethnic groupings. ably recruited from Antioch and who accompanied Paul and Barnabas to motivated by trade, business, and We have already noted the influence of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). Titus commerce in their desire to live in Peter, Stephen, Philip, Barnabas and played a key role in the Corinthian other countries. But in the process Saul within the Jewish insider move- they influenced the communities scene as well as in Crete. where they lived. Others were maids, These mobile teams functioning apostoli- servants, and slaves who worked cally were essential for initiating new in another country. Kenneth Scott insider movements. Latourette states in Volume 1 of his This apostolic series A History of the Expansion of expansion was It is interesting to note that as the Christianity8 on page 116, gospel moved further into the Gentile essential for the good world, the background of the various The chief agents in the expansion of Christianity appear not to have been mobile leaders involved also changed.

those who made it a profession or a news to be sown into Jesus was a Galilean Jew.Barnabas was

major part of their occupation, but new ethnic streams. a Greek-speaking Jew from Cyprus. men and women who earned their live- Paul was a Roman citizen who was lihood in some purely secular manner also a Greek-speaking Jew. Timothy and spoke of their faith to those whom had a Jewish mother and a Greek they met in this natural fashion. father. Paul had him circumcised. Titus ments and their role in pushing these was purely Greek. Paul refused to let This would have been particularly movements into new ethnic streams. him be circumcised. Timothy had con- true of the emigrant Jews in the first siderable influence in Ephesus and Asia century, who had become fostered Acts 13:1-3 is a pivotal turning Minor, and this fitted his background. insider movements among the peoples point in the expansion of the gospel in the places where they had settled. as the Holy Spirit specifically set Titus, who was a pure Greek fitted apart Barnabas and Saul for a work well into the Greek-speaking world of After having examined the natural that would take them deep into the Corinth and Crete. expansions of the Kingdom through Gentile world. This apostolic expan- the earthly ministries of Jesus we now sion was essential for the good news Insider Movements of turn to the apostolic expansion of the to be sown into new ethnic streams. the Gospel within the Nations Kingdom into the nations. In addi- We have already examined the insider tion we will look at how the Kingdom The first missionary journey con- movement that took place within the expanded naturally along pre-existing sisted of Barnabas and Saul plus John Jewish nation beginning at Jerusalem. social networks and the issue of syn- Mark. On the second journey Paul cretism as well as Paul’s perspective selected Silas to accompany him. On We have also noted the results of on insiders in these movements. this journey Paul asked Timothy to the scattering of the believers out of join them. Luke (a doctor) also joined Jerusalem due to the persecution in Apostolic Expansion of them in Troas. Paul recruited Priscilla connection with Stephen. As a result, the Gospel to the Nations and Aquila to leave Corinth and help Samaritans began to respond. Also We have described the natural start a ministry in Ephesus. They in Philip influenced the Ethiopian eunuch expansion of the Kingdom in the turn influenced Apollos who went on who could have taken the good news Jewish mainstream and how this to Achaia to the city of Corinth and back to his own country of Ethiopia. insider movement impacted the life influenced the believers in that place. These insider movements impacted of the Jewish nation. Jesus himself On Paul’s third journey he had the whole of Judea, Galilee and provided the leadership to bring Timothy and Erastus with him, as Samaria. The gospel also spread to

International Journal of Frontier Missiology John Ridgway 85 Damascus, an important city in the e too need to be concentrating locally as Roman province of Syria about 150 miles (about five days travel) north of insiders and yet committed globally as Jerusalem. Damascus was considered the oldest city in the East and was citizens of the kingdom of God. the hub of a vast commercial net- WThere were also responses in Iconium, to follow all of the Jewish customs. The work with roads leading to Baghdad, Lystra and Derbe despite severe Gentiles were free to remain insiders in Mecca, and cities in the west. It had persecution from jealous Jews. After their own ethnic communities and as a huge temple to Jupiter but also had returning to Antioch, Barnabas and a consequence the gospel could freely a large Jewish population. There Paul recounted to the believers there travel along natural ethnic lines. how God had “opened the door of the believers living in Damascus Because of this amazing session, a faith to the Gentiles.” Gentile insider were known as The Way, and they letter was sent to “the Gentile believ- movements were now being launched in were very possibly sympathizers of ers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.” the Galatian province. Stephen. This would account for why The Gentile insider movements were

Saul wanted to eliminate them. The On Paul’s second journey we see now authenticated and also encour- Way spread even to Ephesus (Acts the beginnings of the church being aged by the leadership of the church

19:9, 23). Interestingly, Paul would planted in Macedonia and Greece. at that time. This represented a major later identify with this Jewish insider The Thessalonian believers seemed breakthrough for the mobility of movement, which appears to have to have influenced this whole area (1 the gospel and for the expansion of started in Jerusalem (Acts 22:4-5). It Thessalonians 1:7-8), and a move- Gentile insider movements all over the was also called a sect (Acts 24:14) and ment was taking place. Mediterranean world. was well known to Felix, who had governed Judea and Samaria for six On Paul’s third journey, the church Characteristics of years by this time (Acts 24:22). in Ephesus seems to have influenced the whole region and a movement was Insider Movements In Antioch we see the beginnings underway in that place. Acts 19:10 There appears to be at least ten char- of an insider movement amongst tells us that daily discussions at the acteristics of these insider movements. the Greeks in that place. This was to lecture hall of Tyrannus were held 1. The gospel is very simple. It is the spread both to the east and influence by Paul and the disciples, and these Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the Syriac-speaking world as well as discussions went on for two years. and him crucified, risen, and to the West, especially through the ascended on high. Nothing During this time, “all the Jews and journeys of Paul. more. It is not the crucified Greeks who lived in the province of Jesus plus the Law. It is not Through the apostle Peter, Cornelius Asia heard the word of the Lord.” the crucified Jesus plus leaving and his relatives and close friends At that time Epaphras became a your community and joining an responded to the Good News and a believer and carried the good news alien community. movement began in Caesarea (about to Colossae. From there the gospel 2. The expression of the gospel is his

30 miles north of Joppa), a Gentile city spread to Laodicea and Hierapolis. kingdom(Matthew 6:33). The kingdom expands most natu- named in honor of Augustus Caesar. However, these new Gentile insider rally through the pre-existing Paul visited this city at least twice (Acts movements, which were expressions of networks of family, commu-

18:22; 21:8,16) to encourage the small the Kingdom of God in their natural nity and the society. As such insider Roman movement that was ethnic settings, did not see themselves the wheat and tares all grow developing there, most likely through together (Matthew 13:24-30 as converts to Judaism that required and 36-43 as well as 47-51). We social networks connected to Cornelius. keeping the laws of Moses and 9 don’t sweat the mess. Brian Petersen in the current issue especially circumcision.The Jewish 3. Understanding our spiritual speaks further to Cornelius’ situation. insider movement and especially those identity as being related to our On Paul’s first missionary journey, believers who were Pharisees, however, second birth, when we become which touched Cyprus and the felt that circumcision was essential for citizens of his kingdom. It has Galatian cities, the Scriptures record salvation for everyone. The integrity of nothing to do with our cultural religious identity. an extraordinary response in Pisidian the Gentile insider movements was now 4. Understanding our at stake. physical iden- Antioch amongst Jews, devout con- tity as being related to our first verts to Judaism, and amongst many This led to a very important summit birth, when we were assigned (1 Gentiles, which spread throughout in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 15. Corinthians 7:17) a place and the whole region (Acts 13:49). These The conclusion of this critical session, time in history (Acts 17:26) that three strands were the beginnings determines our cultural, social, where the apostles and elders met, was and religious identity. of insider movements in that area. that the Gentile believers did not have 24:2 Summer 2007 86 Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts 5. The transformation of lives comes bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-7) who References and Notes about by the indwelling pres- desire to care for other house- 1 “ The Key to Insider Movements: The ence of the Holy Spirit causing holds as well. These local lead- “Devoted’s” of Acts,” by Kevin Higgins, us to become holy. And God ers are mostly laymen, who are IJFM 21:4 Winter 2004. p. 155 gives Spirit-filled teachers who already respected in their pagan 2 See A History of the Expansion of can give instruction and even communities. They provide Christianity by Kenneth Scott Latourette, 7 discipline to the believers. an organic structure based on volumes, Harper and Row, NY, 1937-1945. 6. The outworking of this relationships in contrast to an 3 The Insider by Jim Petersen and transformation is in the context institutional structure based on Mike Shamy, NavPress, CSC, 2003.

of the lost mainstreams where positions and programs. Often 4 “The “Son of God”: Understand- the person has responded to when resolving issues of justices ing the Messianic Titles of Jesus,” by

the good news. As 1 Peter 2:11 such organic structures are Rick Brown, IJFM 17:1 Spring 2000 and

states, “Live such good lives necessary. An example is Acts “Explaining the Biblical Term ‘Son(s) of among the pagans” (the Greek 6:1-6 when certain widows were God’ in Muslim Contexts,” IJFM 22:3 Fall word for “pagans“ is simply the overlooked in the daily distribu- 2005 and 22:4 Winter 2005. ethne or nations). tion of food. 5 “Jesus in Samaria, A Paradigm for This outworking of the gospel 9. Within these insider move- Church Planting Among Muslims,” by is normally through the natural ments, there is the cultivation of Stuart Caldwell, IJFM, 17:1 Spring 2000. networks of relationships found young apostles, prophets, evan- 6 The Decapolis was a district con- in families and relatives, in gelists, teachers and other mobile taining ten cities on the east side of the the workplace, amongst close leaders who will be released to Sea of Galilee and it had its own coin- friends, with neighbours and go and plant the good news age, courts and army. Holman Bible Atlas, occasionally with those in into new ethnic groups where Holman Reference, Nashville, 1998. need (Luke 10:25-37). Rodney the gospel is not known. The 7 The cities in the Decapolis were Stark10 in his book, The Rise church is the umbrella that originally built by the followers of Alexan- of Christianity argues that as embraces these mobile teams as der the Great and rebuilt by the Romans movements in history have well as the local expressions. in BC 65. Unger’s Bible Dictionary, Moody grown, their “social surface” 10. A very helpful characteristic Press, Chicago, 1982. has expanded exponentially. of an insider movement is the 8 See again A History of the Expansion He states, availability of an indigenous, of Christianity by Kenneth Scott Lato- Each new member opens up simple local Bible translation that urette, Vol. 1, p. 116. new networks of relationships the common man can easily 9 A condensed version of Petersen’s

between the movement and read and understand.In this way discussion of the Cornelis event appears in potential members. The forms of the priesthood of all believers this issue of IJFM. For a fuller discussion social networks will differ from is nourished as every believer see “Foreigners, Pharisees, and Foreskins: culture to culture, but these inter- can learn from the Scriptures The Controversy Over Changing “Commu- directly and in turn can influ- nity” in the book of Acts,” by B. Petersen. personal relationships will define the lines through which conver- ence others with the good news. This article is available for download from sion will most readily proceed. Conclusion the IJFM website. 10 The Rise of Christianity by Rodney 7. The concept of church being house- We have seen that the good news of the Stark, Harper Collins, NY, 1997. hold (oikos) fits naturally into this kingdom of God is the basis for insider

insider flow of the gospel.Indeed movements. These insider movements this understanding of church is occur in every ethnic community of Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge invaluable found throughout the Book of the world through “sent out” mobile Acts and the Epistles. Paul espe- interactions with numerous leaders in the cially utilizes it in 1 Timothy 3 gifted people who both understand Navigator movement including Waldron when he thinks about the heads and live out this commitment to the Scott (author of Bring Forth Justice), Jim of households being the leader- kingdom of Christ. Petersen (author or Living Proof, Church Without Walls, Lifestyle Discipleship, etc.), ship of the insider movement.In We are strongly aware of Jesus’ words, 1 Timothy 3:15 he specifically Mike Shamy (author of The Insider along refers to God’s household as the “As the Father has sent me, I am with Jim Petersen), Donald McGilchrist,

church of the living God. When sending you” (John 20:21). Jesus was Mike Treneer, Alan Andrews, Vijayan, referring to the believers in truly an insider, yet his focus was the Don Bartel, Jeff Hayes, Gary Bradley, Dick Rome, Paul lists many house- world (Matthew 13:38 and Matthew Fischer and others who contributed various holds in Chapter 16. 28:18-20). We too need to be con- comments. Also very helpful contributions were received from Rick Brown, Bible 8. The local leadership that is as insiders and yet centrating locally scholar and mission strategist. needed for insider movements committed globally as citizens of the is also part of the natural fabric kingdom of God. (1 Timothy 3) and it is the deacons who lead their own May we be part of what God is households (1 Timothy 3:12), doing in the twenty-first century to as well as elders, overseers and his glory. IJFM International Journal of Frontier Missiology