Why were the early believers preaching only to Jews after Stephen's persecution?
After Stephen's persecution, the scattered believers preached only to Jews because God had not yet given them instructions to go to the Gentiles. He was still dealing with His covenant people, Israel, as late as Acts chapter 7, so the gospel went exclusively to Jews at that time.
Les explains that Acts 11:19 refers back to Acts chapter 7, when Stephen was stoned, seven years after Pentecost. The persecuted Jews were scattered as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria, preaching the Word—which at that point was only the Old Testament. They preached to none but Jews only, because God had not yet given them instructions to go to the Gentiles. He was still dealing with His covenant people, Israel, as late as Acts chapter 7, which is why Peter addresses the crowd as "ye men of Israel."
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.
Why did the early church preach only to Jews at first?
The early church preached only to Jews because God had not yet given them instructions to go to the Gentiles. He was still dealing with His covenant people Israel, as late as Acts chapter 7. So the message remained Jew only until God directed otherwise.
What does Acts 11 show about the early Jewish believers and Jesus' command to the Twelve?
Acts 11 shows the early Jewish believers adhered to Jesus’ command to the Twelve. He commanded them not to go to Gentiles or Samaritans but to the lost sheep of Israel. They were to go to no one but Jews, and they never lost sight of that directive.
More Questions
How long after Pentecost did the believers still preach only to Jews?
This scattering and preaching to Jews only happened long after Pentecost, which Les estimates at about seven years after Pentecost.