Who Did the Early Christians Preach to After the Persecution of Stephen?

Direct Answer

According to Acts 11:19, they preached to none but Jews only.

After the persecution that arose around Stephen, believers scattered as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they preached the word to Jewish listeners alone. Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that the verse cannot be plainer: they went 'preaching the word to none but Jew only.'

Key Scriptures

Acts 11:19 — This verse directly answers the question: the early Christians after Stephen's persecution preached to none but Jews only.

What Does the Bible Say About Who the Early Christians Preached To?

Acts 11:19 says: "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." That is the biblical record. The scattered believers are not said to have preached to Gentiles, and the verse explicitly limits their audience to Jews.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the 'Jew Only' Preaching After Stephen?

Les Feldick points to Acts 11:19 as the plain statement that scattered Jewish believers preached to none but Jews only. He emphasizes that the only Word they had was the Old Testament — no New Testament had been written yet — so they preached the Old Testament message that Jesus was the Messiah from the Old Testament. He notes that this happened seven years after Pentecost, with Saul of Tarsus heading the persecution, and that God was still dealing with Israel at that point. He acknowledges that people sometimes resist the wording, but insists the Book says 'Jew only.'

Were the Scattered Believers Going to the Gentiles?

No. Les Feldick says Acts 11:19 makes it plain: they went 'preaching the word to none but Jew only.' They weren't going down into Egypt; if they went anywhere, it was to Jews. They weren't going over to Greece. They were still confining their preaching to none but Jew only.

What Word Did They Preach?

Les Feldick explains that the only Word these believers had was the Old Testament, because the New Testament had not yet been written. So they went everywhere preaching the Old Testament Word — that Christ was the Messiah — to none but Jews only.

Why Does This Matter in the Early Church Timeline?

Les emphasizes that this happened seven years after Pentecost and that God was still dealing only with the Jew. Israel was rejecting God's offer in unbelief, and God was about to do something totally different in turning to the Gentiles.

Are There Exceptions to the 'Jews Only' Pattern?

Les says he tempers the 'Jew only' picture a little with exceptions, but he insists that the Book says God was dealing only with the Jew up to that point.

From the Teaching

Why the Gospel Changes After the Cross — Romans 3 Explained

He is the Son of God. Yes, you have to know that, absolutely. But what did the Christ, the Son of the Living God do? He went to that cross. Now you've got Romans 3. I always like to start with verse 23. For all have sinned, not just the Gentiles, not just the Jew, but the whole human race have sinned, and they've come short of the glory of God. Verse 24.

Scattered Believers Preached to Jews Only

Les reads Acts 11:19 as plain proof that those dispersed after Stephen's persecution did not go to Gentiles; they preached to none but Jew only.

The Old Testament Word They Preached

Les explains the scattered believers had only the Old Testament, so they preached that Old Testament word to none but Jews.

People Resist the 'Jews Only' Wording

Les says people sometimes rebel at 'none but Jews only,' but the verse says exactly that; he connects this to God preparing to do something different as Israel rejected the offer.

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament to Jews

Les shows the scattered believers went to Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch and preached the Old Testament word — that Christ is the Messiah — to none but Jews only.

God Dealing Only with the Jew

Les emphasizes the Book says 'Jew only' as late as Stephen's stoning, seven years after Pentecost, and that God was dealing only with the Jew at that point.

Transition Context from Acts 11

Les introduces Acts 11:19 in the context of the transition from the Jewish program to the Gentile, noting the scattered believers preached to none but Jews only.

Seven Years After Pentecost

Les clarifies that the stoning of Stephen was seven years after Pentecost and that the scattered Jews were preaching the Old Testament word to none but Jews.

Bible Verses

Acts 11:19: 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.

This verse is the key evidence that the early Christians, after Stephen's persecution, preached only to Jews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did the early Christians preach to after the persecution of Stephen?

Acts 11:19 says they preached the word to none but unto the Jews only. Les Feldick stresses that this plain statement means they were not going to the Gentiles.

Did the scattered believers have the New Testament?

No. Les Feldick explains that the New Testament had not yet been written, so the only Word of God they had was the Old Testament.

How long after Pentecost was the stoning of Stephen?

Les says it was seven years after Pentecost, and the persecution was headed by Saul of Tarsus before his conversion.

Why did God allow this 'Jews only' period to continue?

Les teaches that God was still dealing only with Israel. When Israel rejected the offer in unbelief again, God was about to do something different.

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: Why the Gospel Changes After the Cross — Romans 3 Explained