Believers in Jerusalem

[Smalcald]

There were two major groups of congregations mentioned in the New Testament. The first led by James and Peter existed in Jerusalem and were of course made up of Jews, as was the entire Apostles etc. Paul then helped spread the Word to the gentile believers scattered around the Mediterranean; Peter at some point joined and helped this process although that role is murkier.

So of those two groups, the Churches in Asia Minor and Greece flourished and survived, bringing us the Word today, and those congregations actually still exist today in Greece and Turkey etc. However the Jewish Church in Jerusalem died, it totally faded from history relatively quickly. So what happened historically? I am just curious as to historical information about what happened to those congregations, how long did they last, why were they so unsuccessful? Why would the King of the Jews, attract so few Jewish followers, and have His Church essentially die among the Jews until quite recently?

[nebula]

The only thing I know is that when the Romans sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Jewish believers got scattered just as with the nonbelievers.

[Guest shiloh357]

Actually there is evidence of Jewish believers in Jesus as late as the 13th century A.D. RASHI a famous Torah scholar in Judaism was so alarmed at the Jews who believed in Jesus, that he began re-interpretting the Messianic prophecies in an attempt to make them refer to a famous king or, as in the case of Isaiah 53, making it a reference to Israel.

God has always had a remnant among the Jewish people, Praise the Lord!

Here is an excerpt from a web page I found: Re-examining Church History

Some of the most revealing statements concerning the Messianic Jewish believers of his time were made by the Church Apologist, Epiphanius of Salamis, 370 CE.

[Smalcald]

Thanks Shilo that is interesting.

I will look into it further myself. If they were in existence in 370, then it would seem that they would have some tracks even further on. In Acts they speak of the dispersion of the Jerusalem believers after the persecution that followed the murder of Stephen, and of course some scattering that happened after the fall of Jerusalem.

I wonder also if some Jews living in Asia Minor who also believed in Christ during this time eventually intermarried with gentile believers and became essentially assimilated? I have read that many gentiles in that time period in Asia Minor actually attended synagogue and would have known many Jews.

[shanbopop]

where are the posts?I cant see em!

[nebula]

We seem to be having technical difficulties around the Board.

[angels4u]

Some of the most revealing statements concerning the Messianic Jewish believers of his time were made by the Church Apologist, Epiphanius of Salamis, 370 CE.

[Guest yod]

Jews have always been persecuted and hated by the institution known as the church. Not all christians have been unkind...but too many.

History tells us that it didn't matter if jews were believers or not; they had to hide from the institution known as the church. Just ask the morranos.

So jewish believers were always very quiet because they got persecution from both sides.

There has always been a remnant though....and it's growing in public these days.

[Smalcald]

Jews have always been persecuted and hated by the institution known as the church. Not all christians have been unkind...but too many.

History tells us that it didn't matter if jews were believers or not; they had to hide from the institution known as the church. Just ask the morranos.

So jewish believers were always very quiet because they got persecution from both sides.

There has always been a remnant though....and it's growing in public these days.

So true in the last 500 years.

But Jewish leaders who did not believe in Christ of the first and second centuries also terribly persecuted the first Jewish Christians including the persecution spoken of in Acts after the martyrdom of Stephen.

But it is awesome that we have this remnant promised throughout scriptures! Yod what is the feeling today among the majority of Jews who are not believers in Israel? Are Jewish believers in Christ still persecuted, how are they treated by other non-believing Jews and Jewish leadership?

I know that if a Jew converts to Christianity they are formally cut of and not considered Jewish anymore, how much of burden is this? It would seem to be a terrible burden for a convert who has grown up in a Jewish home to be rejected for their belief. Getting it from all sides as you say.

[Guest yod]

But it is awesome that we have this remnant promised throughout scriptures! Yod what is the feeling today among the majority of Jews who are not believers in Israel?

most israeli jews are secular..over 85%

They don't really care what anyone thinks about God

Are Jewish believers in Christ still persecuted, how are they treated by other non-believing Jews and Jewish leadership?

The Orthodox community LOVES christians....but they hate and persecute messianic jews. There is a volatile situation going on in Arad and Bethsheva

I know that if a Jew converts to Christianity they are formally cut of and not considered Jewish anymore, how much of burden is this? It would seem to be a terrible burden for a convert who has grown up in a Jewish home to be rejected for their belief. Getting it from all sides as you say.

I know a thousand sad stories like this

One particular person in Richmond Virginia has not been able to speak with his mom or dad in almost 30 years. They even shun the grandkids.