What did the Jewish believers do after being scattered by Saul's persecution?
After Saul's persecution scattered them, the Jewish believers traveled throughout that area of the world preaching the Word. Since the New Testament was not yet available, they preached from the Old Testament. Their preaching was directed to Jews only, not to Gentiles.
Les explains that Acts 11:19 confirms this. Up to Saul's conversion, and as late as the stoning of Stephen—seven years after Pentecost—the Book says that those Jewish believers who were scattered from Saul's persecution went all over that area of the world preaching the Word. Because they did not yet have the New Testament, they used the Old Testament to preach the Word to none but Jew only. Les notes that God was dealing only with the Jew at that time, though he tempers that with exceptions. He also points to Ephesians chapter 2 as part of this picture.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
More Questions
Who were the scattered believers in Acts 11:19 and where did they go?
The people scattered by the persecution over Stephen, referred to in Acts 11:19, are the same people described in Acts 8:1, and they went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.
To whom did the believers scattered after Stephen's death preach?
The Jewish believers scattered from Saul's persecution went all over the area preaching the Word, but they preached to none except Jews.