The Saviour Himself, during His earthly ministry, foretold the spread of the gospel among the Gentiles. In the parable of the vineyard He declared to the impenitent Jews, "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." Matthew 21:43. And after His resurrection He commissioned His disciples to go "into all the world" and "teach all nations." They were to leave none unwarned, but were to "preach the gospel to every creature." Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15.

Frelseren havde selv under sin jordiske gerning forudsagt, at evangeliet skulle udbredes blandt hedningerne. I lignelsen om vingården erklærede han overfor de forstokkede jøder: "Guds rige skal tages fra jer og gives til et folk, der bærer dets frugter." Matt. 21,43. Og efter sin opstandelse pålagde han sine disciple at "gå ud i al verden" og "gøre alle folkeslag til mine disciple." De måtte ikke undlade at advare nogen, men skulle "forkynde evangeliet for al skabningen." Mark. 16,15; Matt. 28,19.