Topical Bible: Faith: Faith in Christ: Jews at Jerusalem

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Topical Encyclopedia

Faith in Christ among the Jews at Jerusalem is a significant theme in the New Testament, highlighting the early spread of Christianity and the challenges faced by Jewish believers. The city of Jerusalem, being the epicenter of Jewish religious life, played a crucial role in the nascent Christian movement. The early chapters of the Book of Acts provide a detailed account of how faith in Christ began to take root among the Jewish population in Jerusalem.

Pentecost and the Birth of the Church

The event of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, marks a pivotal moment for faith in Christ among the Jews in Jerusalem. On this day, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various languages. This miraculous event attracted a large crowd of devout Jews from every nation under heaven (Acts 2:5). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, delivered a powerful sermon proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, crucified and resurrected. His message pierced the hearts of many, leading to the conversion and baptism of about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).

The Early Christian Community

Following Pentecost, the early Christian community in Jerusalem grew rapidly. Acts 2:42-47 describes how these Jewish believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared their possessions and cared for one another, gaining favor with all the people. The Lord continued to add to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47).

Miracles and Opposition

The apostles performed many signs and wonders, further validating their message and drawing more Jews to faith in Christ. One notable miracle was the healing of a lame man at the temple gate, which led to another opportunity for Peter to preach about Jesus (Acts 3:1-10). However, this growing movement also faced opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. The apostles were arrested and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus, yet they boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

Stephen and the Scattering of Believers

The faith of Jewish believers in Jerusalem was tested through persecution. Stephen, one of the first deacons, was brought before the Sanhedrin and accused of blasphemy. His powerful testimony and vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God enraged the council, leading to his martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60). This event triggered a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, causing many believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1).

Continued Growth and Challenges

Despite persecution, the faith of Jewish believers in Jerusalem continued to grow. The apostles remained steadfast in their mission, and the church experienced further growth. Acts 6:7 notes, "So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith" . This indicates that even those deeply entrenched in the Jewish religious system were coming to faith in Christ.

The Council at Jerusalem

The inclusion of Gentiles into the faith brought new challenges and questions regarding the observance of the Mosaic Law. The Council at Jerusalem, as described in Acts 15, addressed these issues. Jewish believers, including the apostles and elders, gathered to discuss whether Gentile converts should be required to follow Jewish customs. The council, guided by the Holy Spirit, concluded that Gentiles should not be burdened with the full yoke of the Law, affirming salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11).

The faith in Christ among the Jews at Jerusalem laid the foundation for the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, as the early church navigated both internal and external challenges with steadfast devotion to their risen Lord.

Nave's Topical Index

John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
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John 8:30
As he spoke these words, many believed on him.
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John 11:45
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
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John 12:11
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
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Library

Concluding Reflections. Faith and Criticism.
... were drawn out as it passed from Christ to his disciples, from the Jews to the ... high
he may be raised in the scale of beings, and the faith in Christ as the ...
/.../section 102 concluding reflections faith.htm

Jerusalem to Rome
... to return to Jerusalem and testify for his faith (Acts 21 ... as an exponent of that
liberty in Christ by which ... Christians were not obliged to become Jews and obey ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study vi jerusalem to rome.htm

Noah is a Figure of Christ, who Has Regenerated us by Water, and ...
... For Christ, being the first-born of every creature, became ... the deluge; I mean, that
by water, faith, and wood ... 54:9 was thus misunderstood by the Jews, as Trypho ...
/.../chapter cxxxviii noah is a figure.htm

Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... his own prejudice against the followers of Christ, he felt ... support of even his own
brethren in the faith. The unconverted Jews who had followed so closely upon ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm

Salvation to the Jews
... it is written, The just shall live by faith." It is of this gospel of Christ, equally
efficacious ... shall be presented in its fullness to the Jews, many will ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

John iv. 21, 22
... shipwreck; as also Paul saith, "Who concerning faith have made ... subtly argued from
the Fathers, but Christ met not ... in the mountain, and why the Jews at Jerusalem ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiii john iv 21.htm

In Rome
... To apprehend Christ by faith, to have a spiritual ... The communion with Christ which
Paul now enjoyed was ... Paul's arrival in Rome, before the Jews of Jerusalem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 43 in rome.htm

The Resurrection of Lazarus.
... Her act depicts her grief, her dependence, and her faith in Christ. ... deeply moved
by the grief of Mary, but the hypocritical weeping of the Jews who followed ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the resurrection of lazarus.htm

The Work Awaiting the Worker
... No wonder; how could the Jews be expected to allow ... champion of their religion to
preach the faith which they ... No doubt he testified for Christ there to his own ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter v the work awaiting.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... Even a Jew who had no faith in Jesus Christ could see ... then the second and the third,
until the Roman soldiers, now as mad as the Jews themselves, burst into ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter ix the destruction of.htm