Les Feldick Bible Study

What was the church at Jerusalem according to Acts 8:1?

According to Acts 8:1, the church at Jerusalem was the assembly of Jewish believers who had recognized Jesus as their Messiah and put their faith in Him. They remained within Judaism, practiced the law, and worshiped at the temple, yet were a set-apart called-out group experiencing great persecution.

Les explains that in Acts 8:1, about seven or eight years after Pentecost, a great persecution arose against the church at Jerusalem. This church was the called-out 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, but they were also a set-aside group who had recognized their Messiah and put their faith in Him. Because of the persecution, they were all scattered abroad throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, who stayed in Jerusalem.

Acts 8:1

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 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.