The term "heathen" traditionally refers to those who are not part of the Judeo-Christian faith, often synonymous with Gentiles or pagans. In the biblical context, the heathen are those nations and peoples who do not worship the God of Israel. The mission to bring the Gospel to the heathen is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting God's desire for all humanity to come to the knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the inclusion of the heathen in God's redemptive plan. Although Israel was chosen as God's covenant people, the prophets frequently spoke of a future where the nations would turn to the Lord. Isaiah 49:6 declares, "I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." This prophetic vision anticipates the universal scope of the Gospel.

The Great Commission

The New Testament explicitly commands the preaching of the Gospel to all nations. Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, instructed His disciples in what is known as the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19-20 , He commands, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This directive underscores the imperative to reach the heathen with the message of salvation.

The Apostolic Mission

The Book of Acts records the early church's efforts to fulfill this commission. The Apostle Paul, in particular, is noted for his missionary journeys to the Gentile world. In Acts 13:47 , Paul and Barnabas declare, "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Paul's ministry exemplifies the outreach to the heathen, as he establishes churches across Asia Minor and Europe.

Theological Implications

The inclusion of the heathen in the Gospel message reflects the universality of God's grace. Romans 1:16 states, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." This passage highlights that the Gospel transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, offering salvation to all who believe.

Challenges and Opposition

The early church faced significant challenges in preaching to the heathen. Cultural differences, religious opposition, and persecution were common obstacles. Acts 17:32 recounts the mixed reactions Paul received in Athens: "When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this topic.'" Despite these challenges, the commitment to evangelize the heathen persisted.

Eschatological Vision

The ultimate fulfillment of the Gospel being preached to the heathen is seen in the eschatological vision of Revelation. Revelation 7:9 describes a scene before the throne of God: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." This vision affirms the successful reach of the Gospel to all peoples, fulfilling God's redemptive plan for the heathen.

The mandate to preach the Gospel to the heathen remains a vital aspect of Christian mission, rooted in the biblical narrative and the heart of God for all nations to know Him.Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 28:19
Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 16:26
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 1:16
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.
... the Saviour, it is plain that, since God is no respecter of persons, the apostles
also, as here, so there preached the Gospel to those of the heathen who were ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm

Preaching among the Heathen
... careful training of new converts was an important factor in the remarkable success
that attended Paul and Barnabas as they preached the gospel in heathen lands ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 18 preaching among the.htm

The Cry of the Heathen
... Methinks, I will stand here as a heathen this morning, and I say to ... an upper-room;
but ere a half century had rolled away, the gospel was preached to every ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the cry of the heathen.htm

His Gospel
... to a head before he heals it, He allowed the heathen to go ... wilderness he pondered
over this question, and the gospel he subsequently preached contained a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm

The Angel of the Everlasting Gospel.
... It is no new gospel; for, "the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham,"saying: In ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angel of the everlasting.htm

Alcuin on True Missionary Labours.
... that Paul and Barnabas journeyed to Jerusalem, to James and the other Apostles,
in order to consult how best the Gospel could be preached to the . heathen. ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/alcuin on true missionary labours.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... of the Greek-speaking Jews, and the gospel soon made ... to Christ; when they preached,
they preached Christ. Well then might the heathen multitude agree with one ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

Easter Monday
... from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached
unto you ... Christian Church; more wicked and pernicious than heathen or Turks ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter monday.htm

Acts XVII
... as Berea, and there was always sufficient appearance of antagonism between the gospel
as preached by Paul, and the laws and customs of the heathen, to enable ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

The Gospel of the Kingdom.
... Ask of me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost
parts of the earth for ... So our Blessed Lord preached the Gospel of the ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ii the gospel of.htm

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