What happened to the Jerusalem believers after the persecution that arose about Stephen?
After the persecution that arose about Stephen, the Jerusalem believers were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. However, the apostles remained in Jerusalem. The great persecution against the assembly at Jerusalem caused the Jewish believers to leave, but the apostles stayed.
Les teaches that the persecution arose about Stephen, and Saul was consenting unto Stephen's death. A great persecution broke out against the assembly at Jerusalem. As a result, all the Jewish believers who confessed Jesus as the Son of God, the Christ the King, were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria—except the apostles, who remained in Jerusalem. Les points out that if they had been embracing the Great Commission, they should have been throughout the whole Roman Empire six or seven years earlier, but they were still in Jerusalem and would not leave even under intense persecution.
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
More Questions
Who caused the persecution that arose around Stephen and scattered the believers?
The persecution that arose around Stephen, which scattered the believers, was caused by Saul.
Who was scattered abroad after Stephen's death, and who stayed behind?
All the Jerusalem Jewish believers who confessed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the Christ the King, were scattered abroad throughout Judea and Samaria—except the apostles.
Who did not leave Jerusalem when the believers were scattered in Acts 8?
When the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria in Acts 8:1, the exception was the Twelve; the twelve apostles did not leave Jerusalem.