Where were the believers in Acts 5:42 meeting, and how were they related to Judaism?

The believers in Acts 5:42 were still meeting in the temple. They remained under Judaism, but they had separated themselves from the mainstream of Judaism by recognizing who Jesus was. The early church began not as huge congregations but as a few meeting in a home atmosphere.

Les explains that in verse 42 the believers are still meeting in the temple, so they are still under Judaism. Yet they have separated themselves from the mainstream of Judaism by recognizing who Jesus was. He also points out that the church did not start as huge congregations; it began with just a few meeting in a home atmosphere. Les compares this pattern to Watchman Nee’s home Bible studies in China, which continued even when organized church doors were locked, illustrating that small home groups can survive when institutions cannot.

Acts 5:42

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

How did the Acts 5 believers relate to Judaism?

The Acts 5 believers were still meeting in the temple and remained under Judaism, yet they had separated themselves from mainstream Judaism by recognizing who Jesus was. They sold their goods and land, placed the proceeds in a common fund, and lived from it, about seven years after Pentecost.