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Jesus clearly told his disciples that their mission was world-wide, for all people.

Make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28.19)

…You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1.8, NKJV)

So why, 10 years after the resurrection, are they still in Jerusalem, and Peter is reluctant to enter the home of a Gentile?

Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. (Acts 10.28, NKJV)

God has to kick-start the missionary movement, and he does it through one man in two ways!

Saul of Tarsus, one of the chief instigators of killing Stephen, is responsible for scattering the believers, breaking up the Jerusalem mega-church. The result is believers out on mission!

And Saul approved of [Stephen’s] execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, …But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Acts 8.1, 3, 4, ESV, emphasis mine)

Then, Jesus chooses Saul to be on his side, and Saul is spear-heading the missionary movement from within!

But the Lord said to [Ananias], “Go, for [Saul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (Acts 9.15, ESV)

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13.1 – 3, ESV)

I’m still contemplating the ramifications of that!

This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14.26, 27, NIV) (For judgment in Isaiah but for salvation in Acts!)