It is reported that, on his journey to Jerusalem Paul arrived at Ptolemais and “greeted the brothers” (Acts 21.7). Later, as Paul neared Rome, he found “some brothers” (Acts 28.14). Such is the power of the gospel that, within two or three decades of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, that His followers were to be found everywhere.
At the end of the gospels we find the specific command to preach the gospel to “all creation” or to “every creature” (Mark 16.15). The wording here suggests a thorough declaration of the good news. Surely, we are not commanded to preach to animals too! Not literally of course, but that is the weight of this scripture. In 2 Cor 5.11, Paul comments that “we try to persuade men.” It is not sufficient to merely mention the name of Jesus Christ (although, praise God, that sometimes works!), we have a further responsibility to debate and urge, that many, very many, might find life in Christ, life in all its abundance.
It is no wonder that, in closing his letter to the Romans, Paul said, “Now that there is no room for me to work in these regions” (Rom 15.23). Such was the impact of the gospel, and its thorough influence in those regions, Paul had to find unreached areas far away.