The practice of preaching the gospel to non-Jews (Gentiles) is most prominently associated with the Apostle Paul. While other early Christians also engaged in this activity, Paul's extensive missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire and his theological arguments for the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith made him a central figure in this development.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
* Jesus's Ministry: While Jesus primarily ministered to Jews, there are instances in the Gospels where he interacts with and helps Gentiles, suggesting an openness to their inclusion. He also instructed his disciples to preach to all nations.
* Early Church: After Jesus's ascension, the early church in Jerusalem initially focused on preaching to Jews. However, the conversion of Cornelius (a Roman centurion) described in Acts 10 is a significant event, indicating that God was opening the way for Gentiles to become Christians.
* Apostle Paul: Paul, originally a Pharisee named Saul who persecuted Christians, had a dramatic conversion experience and became a fervent advocate for preaching the gospel to Gentiles. He argued that salvation was available to all through faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of their Jewish background. His missionary journeys took him throughout Asia Minor and Greece, where he established churches composed of both Jews and Gentiles. His letters to these churches (which form a significant part of the New Testament) address the challenges and opportunities of integrating Gentiles into the Christian community.
Therefore, while the idea of preaching to all nations originated with Jesus and was practiced by other early Christians, Paul is most closely associated with the widespread and systematic evangelization of Gentiles, and his theological contributions were crucial in shaping the Christian understanding of Gentile inclusion.