What was the state of the early Christian movement immediately after the resurrection?
Immediately after the resurrection, the movement remained an extension of the Jewish program. Peter and the eleven were still holding sway, appealing to Israel to repent of killing their Messiah so God could send the king and kingdom. Early Jewish believers in Christ as Messiah soon faced persecution, including Stephen’s stoning and Saul’s opposition.
Les teaches that Acts is a transitional book. He explains that right after the crucifixion and resurrection, the Jewish program continued, with Peter and the eleven still holding sway. They appealed to Israel to repent of the worst sin, killing their Messiah, and God would pick up where He left off and send the king, so they could have the kingdom. Later, Stephen also appealed to Israel to believe Jesus was Messiah, but they stoned him. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee, held their cloaks, hated Jesus’ name, and thought he served God by stamping out early Jewish believers who confessed Christ as Messiah.