The Apostolic Mission

The Gospel is proclaimed to the ends of the earth

This stage presents the expansion of the Church from Jerusalem toward Judea, Samaria, and the pagan world. The apostles proclaim Christ crucified and risen, baptize, form communities, and bear witness in the midst of persecutions, journeys, conflicts, and discernments.

The apostolic mission shows that the salvation accomplished in Christ is meant for all peoples. Stephen, Philip, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and other disciples are instruments guided by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel goes out from Jerusalem, reaches Samaria, opens to the Gentiles, and gradually reaches the Mediterranean world.

You will learn to

Understand that the mission springs from the Passover of Christ and from the Holy Spirit.

Recognize the expansion of the Gospel from Jerusalem.

Identify the martyrdom of Stephen.

Understand the evangelization of Samaria.

Recognize the conversion of Saul.

Identify the role of Peter in the opening to the Gentiles.

Understand the episode of Cornelius.

Recognize the meaning of the Council of Jerusalem.

Identify the apostolic journeys of Paul.

Discover how the Church continues the mission of Christ.

How this stage is organized

Main narrative

Acts 6–28

You will come to know the choosing of the seven, the testimony and martyrdom of Stephen, the evangelization of Samaria, Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, the conversion of Saul, Peter's mission in the house of Cornelius, the sending of Paul and Barnabas from Antioch, the Council of Jerusalem, Paul's missionary journeys, the founding of communities, and the proclamation of the Gospel as far as Rome.

Doctrinal understanding

Gospel · Testimony · Conversion · Mission

You will grasp that the apostolic mission consists in proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, calling to conversion, baptizing, and forming communities. The Church is missionary from its very beginnings. Persecution does not stop the Gospel; often it becomes an occasion for the Word to advance and reach new peoples.

Scripture in depth

Apostolic letters · The life of the communities

The apostolic letters help us understand the life of the communities born from the mission. Saint Paul teaches that faith comes from preaching, that the baptized are one in Christ, and that the Church is the body of Christ. Ephesians shows the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, and the first letter of Peter presents the Christian people as called to proclaim the wonders of God.

Fulfilled in Christ

The missionary Church · The Body of Christ · The universality of salvation

The risen Christ continues His mission through the Church. He calls, forgives, sends, and gathers all peoples into one and the same salvation. The apostolic mission shows that the Gospel is not enclosed within any cultural or geographical border. The Church, guided by the Spirit, proclaims Christ and forms communities called to live as His body in history.

Choose a mode

Path mode

Move step by step, in the recommended order.

Review mode

Shuffled questions to review and gauge your progress.

Group mode

A moderated session, reserved for catechists and teachers.