No, most Jews were not believers during Christ's first advent.
According to Les Feldick, throughout Scripture God has always worked through a small remnant, not the majority. At Christ's first advent, only a small number of Jews recognized Him as the Messiah. Even after three years of His earthly ministry, the believers in Jerusalem numbered only about 120, as recorded in Acts chapter 1.
Acts 1:15 — This verse records the number of believers gathered in Jerusalem after Christ's ministry, showing the small remnant.
Romans 9:27 — Paul quotes Isaiah to emphasize that only a remnant of Israel would be saved.
The Bible indicates that throughout Israel's history, only a remnant was faithful. In Romans 9:27, Paul quotes Isaiah: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." This shows that even in the Old Testament, the majority of Israel was not truly faithful. During Christ's earthly ministry, the Gospels portray that many Jews rejected Him. In Acts 1:15, after His ascension, the believers in Jerusalem numbered about 120. This small number reflects that the majority of the nation did not believe in Him as the Messiah. Additionally, the Bible records that God reserved 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18), indicating a pattern of a faithful remnant.
Les Feldick teaches that God has never worked through the majority but always through a small remnant. He points out that even before the flood, only eight souls were faithful. Throughout Israel's history, very few Jews were true believers, and this continued during Christ's earthly ministry. After three years of ministry, only 120 believers were gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 1). Les emphasizes that the majority of Israel rejected Jesus, calling Him an imposter, and only a few recognized Him as the Messiah. He also notes that many who followed Jesus were drawn by what they could receive, not by genuine faith.
According to Les Feldick, after three years of Jesus' earthly ministry, the believers in the immediate area of Jerusalem numbered about 120 (Acts 1). He notes that there may have been a few more in Galilee, but in Jerusalem, it was no more than that. This small number indicates that the majority of Israel had rejected Jesus as their Messiah.
Les Feldick teaches that the majority of Israel rejected Jesus because they did not recognize Him as the Christ. They had an outward religious system but were spiritually dead. He describes them as 'whited sepulchers,' having religious appearance but no spiritual life. The crowds that followed Jesus were often drawn by what they could receive, such as free food, rather than by faith.
Les Feldick emphasizes a 'doctrine of the remnant' throughout Scripture. God has never worked through the majority but always through a small remnant. Examples include Noah and his family (eight souls) and the 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. This pattern continued at Christ's first advent, where only a small number of Jews believed.
Doctrine of the Remnant
Les explains that God has always worked through a small remnant, citing the example of Noah's flood where only eight were saved.
120 Believers in Jerusalem
Les shocks listeners by stating that after three years of Jesus' ministry, only 120 believers were in Jerusalem, showing the small number of true believers.
Majority Rejected Jesus
Les emphasizes that even after three years of ministry, the majority of Israel considered Jesus an imposter and rejected Him.
Few Recognized the Messiah
Les notes that only a few Jews recognized Jesus as the Christ, while the majority rejected Him and were consequently blinded.
Israel's Missed Opportunity
Les explains that if every Jew had responded to the message, the King could have returned and the Kingdom could have been set up, but they rejected it.
Vast Majority Rejected
Les states that although thousands of Jews did follow Christ early on, the vast majority rejected Him.
Revelation vs. Instruction: How Paul Received the Gospel
In other words, this called out group of Jewish believers who had believed who Jesus really was. And they were still within the confines of Judaism. They were still practicing the law. They were still worshiping at the temple. But they were also a set-aside group who had recognized their Messiah and put their faith in Him.
Few True Believers in Israel
Les explains that even within the nation of Israel, there were very few true believers, as many followed pagan gods like Baal.
Acts 1:15: And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
This verse shows the small number of believers in Jerusalem after Jesus' ministry, illustrating the remnant.
Romans 9:27: Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Paul quotes Isaiah to show that only a remnant of Israel would be saved, not the majority.
1 Kings 19:18: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath kissed him.
This verse reveals that even in Elijah's time, God had a faithful remnant of 7,000, demonstrating the pattern.
Genesis 7:13: In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
This records the eight souls saved from the flood, the ultimate example of a small remnant.
No, most Jews did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah. According to Les Feldick, even after three years of Jesus' ministry, only about 120 believers were in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15). The majority rejected Him, considering Him an imposter.
Les Feldick points out that in the area of Jerusalem, there were about 120 believers gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:15). There may have been a few more in Galilee, but in Jerusalem, that was the extent of the faithful remnant.
Les teaches that throughout Scripture, God has always worked through a small remnant rather than the majority. Examples include Noah and his family (eight souls) and the 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal. At Christ's first advent, the remnant was the 120 believers in Jerusalem.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Israel Miss the Messiah? Romans 9:25-33 Explained