Why were the first believers not in Jerusalem?
The first believers were not in Jerusalem because persecution arose around Stephen, causing them to be scattered abroad. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but Jews only. This scattering occurred as the Jewish program began slipping away in Acts.
Les teaches that Acts 11:19 describes those who were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose around Stephen. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but Jews only. He explains this verse opened his eyes because he had assumed the New Testament immediately meant Christianity and the Gospel were going to the whole world, but it was confined to Israel. Even these Jewish believers had no concept of going to Gentiles. This was part of the transitional book of Acts, where the Jewish program was slipping away and transition to the Gentile was kicking into higher gear. Peter had returned to Jerusalem from Cornelius but was still not going out to the Gentiles, confining his ministry to the circumcision. Paul was to go to the Gentiles. Thus the first believers were scattered due to persecution rather than remaining in Jerusalem.
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
Where did the believers scattered by Stephen's persecution go?
The people who were scattered abroad because of the persecution about Stephen, referred to in Acts 8:1, went as far as Phoenix, Cyprus, and Antioch.
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.