Why did the apostles remain in Jerusalem after the other believers were scattered?
The apostles remained in Jerusalem because they understood the Word of God and their commission, so they did not scatter under pressure. For seven years they stayed in Jerusalem, not going out among the Gentiles, sitting tight in the place assigned to them.
Les explains that this Jerusalem assembly was a called-out group of Jewish believers still within Judaism, practicing the law and worshiping at the temple, yet recognizing Jesus as Messiah. When the others were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, the apostles alone stayed. Les argues that if these men who had been with Christ for three years did not understand the Word of God and their commission, no one could; they did, and that is why they remained. Seven years passed, and they were still sitting tight in Jerusalem rather than going among the Gentiles. Les compares their frame of mind to waiting at a bus depot and refusing a coffee shop across the street, lest he miss meeting his wife at the door. All other Jews had scattered because of pressure, but those twelve men stayed in Jerusalem.
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.
Which believers stayed in Jerusalem when the church was scattered in Acts 8?
The twelve men stayed in Jerusalem when the church was scattered. All the Jewish believers fled throughout Judea and Samaria under intense persecution, except the very twelve men, who remained because their ministry was to the Jew until the covenant program was fulfilled.
Where should the apostles have been six or seven years after the Great Commission?
They should have been throughout the whole Roman Empire, carrying the Great Commission to the nations. Instead, the apostles remained in Jerusalem and would not leave even under intense persecution. The scattered Jewish believers went throughout Judea and Samaria, but the apostles stayed put.
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 stayed in Jerusalem when the believers were scattered after Stephen's persecution?
In the scattering after the persecution that arose about Stephen, the Twelve apostles did not scatter with everyone else; they remained in Jerusalem even about eight years after Pentecost.
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.