Who was persecuted after Stephen's death in Jerusalem and Judea?
After Stephen's death, a great persecution arose against the church, or assembly, at Jerusalem. These Jewish believers who confessed Jesus as the Son of God and Christ the King were persecuted. They were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, who remained in Jerusalem.
Les explains that the persecution arose about Stephen against these Jewish believers. Saul was consenting unto Stephen's death, and at that time there was a great persecution against the church, or assembly, which was at Jerusalem. These were Jewish believers that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the Christ the King. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Les emphasizes they should have been throughout the Roman Empire under the Great Commission, but they were in Jerusalem and would not leave under intense persecution, knowing they had no God-given right to.