Stephen and Philip recieved signs and wonders to endorse their mission. They both faced opposition. Stephen, however, was the first Christian martyr. His speech had the "germ of universality", he recognised that the message would not be confined to the Jews, but would spread further afield. This can be likened to Colmcille's mission. Although he was not martyred, he realised that the message should be spread, therefore, he took it to the Picts in Scotland. .
Philip provided the link between the Jewish and Gentile church, his mission concentrated mainly on the Samaritans who were half Jew and half Gentile. He was obedient to the will of God when he converted the Ethiopian eunuch under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Columbanus also showed obedience to the call of God, he stepped over his mother, who begged him not to leave in order to follow his vocation. Philip's mission makes him appear as forerunner to Paul, as Philip did not confine the message to purely Jews. .
Paul was converted to Christianity on his road to Damascus, this was because God had chose him to "go to the gentlies". Paul faced much opposition throughout his missionary journeys, however he did not let it impede the progress of the gospel. This was similar to the mission of the Irish, for example, Columbanus faced opposition when he refused to baptise the kings illegitamate children, but he did not let it hinder the gospel or his mission. In the places he evangelised he did not change people's culture; he became "all things to all men", adopting his message to suit different audiences. Paul endured much suffering throughout his mission and eventually death because of his determination to spread the gospel. Likewise Patrick endured much suffering for the gospel, during his time as a slave he suffered many hardships but prayed to God for help. This shows his trust in God, the same as Paul's trust. He did not have a specific missionary stradegy, he followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
