Was Paul able to reach the uttermost in his day and age? (Co-pilot Bible Study Question)

[Anchorite]

I don't believe there is any more missionary trips to be made.

So because Paul preached to some (not all) people in the Roman Empire of his day, no more missionary trips need to be made?

God does not care about the unsaved people outside the old Roman Empire?

You have a very shriveled view of who needs to hear the gospel.

You do not have to share your faith with anybody if you are too shy. But you cannot seriously claim that missionary work should end.

 

[MatthewG]

Anchroite, you heard me. I don't have to change my views because other people think I should. Thank you!


I believe God can be found by looking at the skys and looking at the stars at night.
Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
This Psalm continues the theme:

• Psalm 19:2 — Day unto day utters speech, night unto night shows knowledge.
• Psalm 19:3–4 — Creation’s “voice” goes out through all the earth.

Unless it's impossible for God. I don't think so...

Im not being sassy... I just being straight forward.

 

[Anchorite]

Gazing at the stars will not teach anyone the gospel message.

Copilot is not a spirit filled Bible teacher, it is a stupid, flawed computer gimmick.

Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
This Psalm continues the theme:

• Psalm 19:2 — Day unto day utters speech, night unto night shows knowledge.
• Psalm 19:3–4 — Creation’s “voice” goes out through all the earth.

What is this voice? The proclamation that God has great power as creator.

But that does not mean missionaries, evangelists, and you and I witnessing to unsaved people are not necessary.

Pray God to give you more courage and motivation to share the gospel with others.


Romans 10

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?​

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

[MatthewG]

It’s really not about staring up at the stars, Anchorite.

It’s about a person crying out to God because deep down they know there’s Someone greater than themselves.

And honestly, when people insist you must have a Bible in your hand to be saved… they’re missing the heart of it.

It’s the Spirit that changes a person’s heart. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

So you can speak however you want, and you’re free to share Scripture however you feel led.

Because in the end, Scripture itself says that God’s glory is already being proclaimed. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).

Do you believe God can reach people by His Spirit? I do — even those who haven’t heard the name of Jesus yet.

I know that might sound radical to some, but God sees the heart. He knows when someone, somewhere, who’s never been taught about Jesus, is still reaching out for Him.

I’ve even heard stories of people in Muslim regions having dreams about God and about Jesus. Things like that remind me that God isn’t limited.

So when people make it all about “you must have a Bible in your hand,” it feels a little off. I’m not saying the Bible isn’t important — it absolutely is. It’s a powerful, helpful, God‑given tool.

If used right by the Spirit of Christ.

If a person is a preacher let them be a preacher, but let them do it by the Spirit of Christ.

And let them also encourage others not to believe them but seek for themselves.

 

[David Lamb]

So because Paul preached to some (not all) people in the Roman Empire of his day, no more missionary trips need to be made?

God does not care about the unsaved people outside the old Roman Empire?

You have a very shriveled view of who needs to hear the gospel.

You do not have to share your faith with anybody if you are too shy. But you cannot seriously claim that missionary work should end.

I wonder if MatthewG meant no more missionary trips to be made by Paul? Hopefully he wasn't saying there were no more missionary trips by anybody since Paul.

 

[MatthewG]

No I meant what I said.

…

People will go do them.

People have missionary trips on the side of the boardwalk in Florida, getting people to say the name of Jesus but who knows if they truly had a heart change.

But those people will be so happy like oh yay! We got another salvation today! Or 10 praise God!

It’s a really weird thing to me personally…

I understand you older folk probably went on missionary trips, so do Jehovah Witness and so do, who else Mormon religion.


There are people that scam and prey off people too in churches to get money for these events and what not… and they go to trips to other countries and everything.

Are they really going and doing anything ?

That is worth while?


Beats me. People do what people want to do:

I’m not your judge, but I don’t believe I need to go anywhere like some foreign country.

God is not pull on my heart strings to worry about all those people… I gotta deal my own front and back yard here.










Take it how you will, but I am just myself you can disagree or whatever you want.

Paul made his completion through the places he needed. I don’t have to go anywhere and for anyone to suggest;

“If you don’t you aren’t saved to begin with type stuff”

Is just childish. Or people saying oh Matthew you should have a different view or whatever. I don’t think anyone can tell anyone what to do:

I’m just saying Paul made it to the uttermost. I don’t have too.

 

[MatthewG]

There been a few people here who continue to believe that missionary work must be done for God?

What does that have to do with simply living by the spirit and living your life like a normal human being?

Those big missionary trips, do people think God looks at them so much more than an individual who doesn’t?

And what’s up with not being able to see God as all powerful and that he can be seen by and through his creation as Someone greater than yourself?

You think God is weak and can’t reach people and you must be the “Oracle of God” or some obscure weird and offset title for yourself? I’m asking generally not to any specific person on here.

God is powerful. He is not limited.

There are 7 ways I think God shows himself and creation is one of the ones near to my mind.

 

[David Lamb]

No I meant what I said.

…

People will go do them.

People have missionary trips on the side of the boardwalk in Florida, getting people to say the name of Jesus but who knows if they truly had a heart change.

But those people will be so happy like oh yay! We got another salvation today! Or 10 praise God!

It’s a really weird thing to me personally…

I understand you older folk probably went on missionary trips, so do Jehovah Witness and so do, who else Mormon religion.


There are people that scam and prey off people too in churches to get money for these events and what not… and they go to trips to other countries and everything.

Are they really going and doing anything ?

That is worth while?


Beats me. People do what people want to do:

I’m not your judge, but I don’t believe I need to go anywhere like some foreign country.

God is not pull on my heart strings to worry about all those people… I gotta deal my own front and back yard here.










Take it how you will, but I am just myself you can disagree or whatever you want.

Paul made his completion through the places he needed. I don’t have to go anywhere and for anyone to suggest;

“If you don’t you aren’t saved to begin with type stuff”

Is just childish. Or people saying oh Matthew you should have a different view or whatever. I don’t think anyone can tell anyone what to do:

I’m just saying Paul made it to the uttermost. I don’t have too.

So how did the gospel get to the USA? To the UK? To China? To India? Are you saying that all the godly men who travelled to such countries to spread the gospel were disobeying God? People like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, etc.

 

[MatthewG]

So how did the gospel get to the USA? To the UK? To China? To India? Are you saying that all the godly men who travelled to such countries to spread the gospel were disobeying God? People like William Carey, Adoniram Judson, etc.

David. Lets find out.

The gospel reached what is now the United States through multiple waves of European colonization, beginning in the 16th century, long before the U.S. existed as a nation. The short version: Spain brought Christianity first (Catholic), then France (Catholic), then England and Northern Europe (Protestant).

Below is the clear, structured breakdown you like — step‑by‑step, historically grounded, and tied to the actual movements that carried the gospel across the Atlantic.

1. The First Christians in U.S. Territory: The Spanish (1500s)​

Earliest arrival of the gospel in U.S. lands = Spanish Catholics.

• 1513: Spanish explorers arrive in Florida.
• 1565: St. Augustine, Florida founded — the oldest Christian city in the U.S.
• Spanish priests establish mission systemsacross:
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • The Carolinas
  • Texas
  • New Mexico
  • Arizona
  • California (Junípero Serra’s missions)

These missions brought Catholic preaching, baptisms, and worship to Indigenous peoples.

 

[MatthewG]

Remember Crusading?

The Crusades took place between 1096 and 1270, with eight major campaigns recognized by historians.

️ Concise Answer​

The main Crusades occurred from 1096 to 1270, beginning with the First Crusade (1096–1099) and ending with the Eighth Crusade (1270).

Full Timeline of the Major Crusades​

1. First Crusade (1096–1099)​

• Called by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont in 1095.
• Resulted in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099.

2. Second Crusade (1147–1149)​

• Launched after the fall of Edessa in 1144.

3. Third Crusade (1189–1192)​

• Triggered by Saladin’s capture of Jerusalem in 1187.
• Included leaders like Richard the Lionheart.

4. Fourth Crusade (1202–1204)​

• Diverted to Constantinople, which was sacked in 1204.

5. Fifth Crusade (1217–1221)​

• Attempted to conquer Egypt as a strategic route to Jerusalem.

6. Sixth Crusade (1228–1229)​

• Led by Emperor Frederick II; regained Jerusalem through diplomacy.

7. Seventh Crusade (1248–1254)​

• Led by Louis IX of France; focused again on Egypt.

8. Eighth Crusade (1270)​

• Also led by Louis IX; ended quickly after his death.

 

[David Lamb]

Lol Godly men. Sure @David Lamb.


Back then it was LETS GO FORWARD AND SLAUGHTER THE VILLAGES.

For some of them.

God allowed things the way they are.

The men I mentioned weren't like that, so I am glad you said "some of them." How did the gospel reach the countries I mentioned?

 

[MatthewG]

@David Lamb

This just negates what you need brother.

I believe there are people that believe that Gospel needs to reach every single person then end will come.

That is a common belief system for people.

I just share information so...

I dont believe I need to do missionary work can you answer some of the questions in post 27?

If I share by the spirit I share by the spirit and that is that nothing more too.

God doesn't see me better than an unbeliever... cause belivers can be worse than an unbeliever.

 

[David Lamb]

@David Lamb

This just negates what you need brother.

I believe there are people that believe that Gospel needs to reach every single person then end will come.

That is a common belief system for people.

I just share information so...

I dont believe I need to do missionary work can you answer some of the questions in post 27?

If I share by the spirit I share by the spirit and that is that nothing more too.

God doesn't see me better than an unbeliever... cause belivers can be worse than an unbeliever.

Yes, so the colonists took the gospel with them. How did they get it? Many of the colonists came from Britain. How had the gospel got there?

 

[MatthewG]

Yes, so the colonists took the gospel with them. How did they get it? Many of the colonists came from Britain. How had the gospel got there?

David this is a very boring conversation for me.

Humans shared the gospel.

That is it. But Paul made it to the uttermost and you dont believe that cause he didnt go to britian.

Which means all you can do is try to fight for this notion of missionary work needing to be done.

It comes by your belief system which is fine.

But what makes you think I need to go and do anything at all?

Are you God to make me?


These are the real questions I wanna get to past all the silly parts.

 

[MatthewG]

Alex Rossie’s video “The Tragic Truth of Short Term Mission Trips | FACTS” is not a neutral investigative report, but it does present information grounded in his real missionary experience and cites sources for his statistics. His claims are experience‑based, perspective‑driven, and partially sourced, not fabricated or misleading according to available evidence.

 

[David Lamb]

David this is a very boring conversation for me.

Humans shared the gospel.

That is it. But Paul made it to the uttermost and you dont believe that cause he didnt go to britian.

Which means all you can do is try to fight for this notion of missionary work needing to be done.

It comes by your belief system which is fine.

But what makes you think I need to go and do anything at all?

Are you God to make me?


These are the real questions I wanna get to past all the silly parts.

I certainly don't want to bore people, so I will leave the matter there. I would just correct you by saying that I fully believe what the bible says about the extent of Paul's missionary work. We both seem to agree that it did not include Britain. Apologies for boring you.

 

[MatthewG]

I certainly don't want to bore people, so I will leave the matter there. I would just correct you by saying that I fully believe what the bible says about the extent of Paul's missionary work. We both seem to agree that it did not include Britain. Apologies for boring you.

Yeah, I get it — going over things we already understand can feel pretty boring.

I’m honestly not sure what you were fighting for earlier. You say you believe that work was already finished, but I can’t say I fully understand your position yet.

And just to be clear, I’m not against anyone doing missionary work. I just think sometimes it can end up causing more harm than good if people aren’t careful. Even Paul warned that “not all have faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:2), meaning not everyone who goes out is actually being led by the Spirit.

I don’t feel like I personally have to go out and do all of that. If others want to, that’s their choice. And I don’t see those people as more special or more important than anyone else. Scripture says plainly, “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

But sometimes people start seeing themselves as something more than others — and that’s where things get dangerous. Pride has always been a trap. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).

What really bothers me is religious manipulation — the organizations that mislead people, twist things, or elevate themselves. Jesus warned about that too: “Beware of false prophets… they come to you in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). That kind of stuff is what I can’t stand, David.

I’m just going to keep sharing what I’ve learned about what Paul actually did. He reached the uttermost parts so the end could come — they were already in the last days back then, according to Peter (Acts 2:16–17).

And I’m not trying to bore you or bother you. I know I can be a bit punchy for some folks, but that’s just how I am.

 

[MatthewG]

I think it so strange that people worship men more than they do God.

Sometimes they hold men up higher than Jesus... ya know? Paul was a man sent by Jesus, and he did his job so did all teh other apostles in order for the end to come, and JEsus to rescue the bride of Christ in that day in age.

So.... What is there to do but live your life ...

Most say no matthew. I must wait for Jesus as I live my life but Jesus is already with you if you have the Spirit of the Messiah in you... already...

What are you waiting for?

Death. Ultimately.

 

[MatthewG]

That's what my brother use to say about me and mom cause we never like to go out and do very much ya know. He always use to tell me "You and mom just sit around waiting for death. I don't want that kind of life."

He loves to build houses and go down mountain tops on snowboards and jump out of airplanes of course he is getting older now and he will slow down eventually.

That is totally okay. He does the same thing when he is not in those activities.

We all do it. We are all waiting for that time.

No one knows Just like Jesus said. Dont know the time or the hour of death is my estimated guess of what he speaks of.



Alas while we wait - we must live. Having a faithful relationship with God is good.

 

[David Lamb]

Yeah, I get it — going over things we already understand can feel pretty boring.

I’m honestly not sure what you were fighting for earlier. You say you believe that work was already finished, but I can’t say I fully understand your position yet.

And just to be clear, I’m not against anyone doing missionary work. I just think sometimes it can end up causing more harm than good if people aren’t careful. Even Paul warned that “not all have faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:2), meaning not everyone who goes out is actually being led by the Spirit.

I don’t feel like I personally have to go out and do all of that. If others want to, that’s their choice. And I don’t see those people as more special or more important than anyone else. Scripture says plainly, “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

But sometimes people start seeing themselves as something more than others — and that’s where things get dangerous. Pride has always been a trap. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).

What really bothers me is religious manipulation — the organizations that mislead people, twist things, or elevate themselves. Jesus warned about that too: “Beware of false prophets… they come to you in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). That kind of stuff is what I can’t stand, David.

I’m just going to keep sharing what I’ve learned about what Paul actually did. He reached the uttermost parts so the end could come — they were already in the last days back then, according to Peter (Acts 2:16–17).

And I’m not trying to bore you or bother you. I know I can be a bit punchy for some folks, but that’s just how I am.

Thanks Matthew, that is much clearer. It had seemed from your earlier posts that you were saying that missionary work ceased when Paul had finished his final missionary journey.

I'm not really "fighting for" anything. You say that I believe the work was finished. No, I believe that Paul's work was finished, as he said it was.

Anyway, thanks again.