Who did the scattered believers preach to at first?
At first, the scattered believers preached the Word to Jews only, not to Gentiles. They traveled as far as Phenis, Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria, preaching from the Old Testament, since no New Testament was yet written, and they adhered to Jesus’ command to go to the lost sheep of Israel.
Les explains that after the persecution that arose around Stephen, the scattered believers traveled as far as Phenis, out to the island of Cyprus, and up to Antioch in Syria, preaching the Word. Because no New Testament had been written yet, their Word was the Old Testament. They preached to none but Jews only, still adhering to the commandment Jesus gave in Matthew: go not in the way of a Gentile, but go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This was long after Pentecost—about seven years—and it shows that from Genesis 12 until Acts chapter 9, God was dealing with the nation of Israel, not exclusively, but almost.
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
What Word did the early scattered disciples preach if the New Testament had not been written yet?
The believers scattered by persecution preached the Word out of the Old Testament, because no New Testament had been written yet.
Who were the early scattered believers preaching to in Acts 11:19?
Seven or eight years after Pentecost, the scattered Jewish believers were still preaching the Word to none but Jews only, as Acts 11:19 states.
What Word did the early believers preach before the New Testament was written?
The 'Word' those scattered preachers preached was the Old Testament, because no New Testament had been written yet.