The apostles stayed in Jerusalem because they were still awaiting Israel's acceptance of her Messiah-King and had no commission to leave.
Les Feldick teaches that the twelve apostles understood their responsibility was to remain in Jerusalem and continue presenting Jesus as the Messiah to the nation of Israel. They were not to go to the Gentiles until Israel's king was in place. Thus, despite severe persecution, they remained, as leaving could cause them to miss the King's return.
Acts 8:1 — This verse explicitly states that while believers were scattered, the apostles remained in Jerusalem.
Acts 8:1 records that "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." This clearly shows that the other believers fled due to persecution, but the apostles stayed. Acts 11:19 reiterates that those scattered went as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, but there is no mention of the apostles leaving. Furthermore, Acts 26 recounts Paul's persecution of believers in Jerusalem, but even then, the apostles are not recorded as having left. The Bible presents their remaining in Jerusalem as a fact, without explicit explanation.
Les explains that the apostles' refusal to leave was not due to fear or negligence but because they understood their God-given commission to the nation of Israel. They were to remain in Jerusalem and present Jesus as the Messiah, hoping that Israel would accept her King. If Israel received Him, Christ could return to establish the Kingdom. Leaving Jerusalem before that would mean potentially missing the King's arrival, so they stayed even under intense persecution. Les emphasizes that the apostles had no ministry to the Gentiles until Israel's king was in place.
Les teaches that the apostles' ministry was to the Jew, and they were to continue in Jerusalem presenting Jesus as the Messiah, Christ the King. They were not to go to the Gentiles until the covenant program with Israel was fulfilled. As he says, "Peter understood that he had no ministry to the Gentiles until Israel's king was in place" (Clip 1).
No, quite the opposite. Les insists that the apostles knew their commission and obeyed it. They were not to scatter like the other believers. Their staying was a deliberate act of faithfulness, not fear.
Yes, they faced intense persecution. Saul of Tarsus persecuted them, and many were put to death. Yet they still did not flee. Les says, "in spite of all the pressure of persecution that old Saul of Tarsus could bring to bear, those twelve men sat tight" (Clip 2).
Why the First Christians Were NOT in Jerusalem (Acts 11)
how on the road again to Damascus the Lord had stricken him and converted him, brought him to a realization that Jesus was indeed the Christ, and Acts 26, the third time that he's rehearsing it. It's three times, Acts chapter 9 Luke records it, in chapter 22 Paul tells it in the first person, and again in Acts 26 Paul rehearses his conversion in the first person, and now he comes all the way down …
No Gentile Ministry Until Israel's King
Les explains that the apostles stayed because they had no ministry to the Gentiles until Israel's king was in place.
Fear of Missing the King's Return
Les uses the analogy of being ready to leave at any moment, showing the apostles' readiness for the King's return.
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.
The Apostles' God-Given Responsibility
Les emphasizes that the apostles were not derelict but were fulfilling their specific ministry to Israel.
Still Looking for the King
Les points out that the apostles were still looking for the King, explaining their continued presence in Jerusalem.
Personal Analogy of Waiting
Les shares a personal story to illustrate the apostles' mindset of waiting for the King's return.
Why Israel Rejected the Gospel — Acts 8 Explained
And they were all scattered abroad, throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except, underline that next one, except who? The Apostles! Now just analyze that verse, just exactly the way it sits. I'm not going to be a theologian, and I'm not going to be like the rabbis do with the Old Testament, and just sit there and try to think of a million ways I can interpret it.
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.
This verse shows the persecution and explicitly notes that the apostles stayed.
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 confirms that those scattered went far, but the apostles are not mentioned as leaving.
Les teaches that the apostles understood their commission was to remain in Jerusalem and present Jesus as Messiah to Israel. They were not to leave until Israel's king was established, and they feared missing His return if they left.
No, Les explains that they had no ministry to the Gentiles until Israel's king was in place. Their focus was on the Jews in Jerusalem.
Watch the Teaching: Why the First Christians Were NOT in Jerusalem (Acts 11)