What was the spiritual and religious state of the Jerusalem church in Acts 8?
The Jerusalem assembly was a called-out group of Jewish believers who had recognized Jesus as Messiah and placed faith in Him. They remained within Judaism, practicing the law and worshiping at the temple. About seven or eight years after Pentecost, persecution scattered them except the apostles, who stayed in Jerusalem.
Les explains that Acts 8 opens about seven or eight years after Pentecost, after Stephen's martyrdom with Saul consenting. The church at Jerusalem was the assembly of Jewish believers who had believed who Jesus really was. They were still within the confines of Judaism, still practicing the law, and still worshiping at the temple, yet they were a set-aside group who had recognized their Messiah and put their faith in Him. Under great persecution, they were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria except the apostles, who stayed in Jerusalem. Les illustrates their frame of mind with the coffee-shop wait, staying put rather than leaving.
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 was scattered and who stayed in Jerusalem in Acts 8:1?
In Acts 8:1, all the believers except the apostles were scattered because of the pressure, while the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.
Who made up the church at Jerusalem in Acts 8?
The Jerusalem assembly/church that was being persecuted in Acts 8 was composed of Jewish believers.