[Godzilla]

Again, hyperliteralism. But then at least you are over the doctrinal divide issue as well as the Holy Spirit punishing the church. Again, were you to closely study Acts, you will find that the first 12 chapters have the center of the Church still in Jerusalem and witnessing to Judea and Samaria. It doesn't really expand further until Chapter 13.

It shows Jews from different nations still there even as far away as Greece.

LOL, you forget that the Greeks maintained an extended period of control on Israel. Many had returned ancestral homeland after the diaspora who's primary language was Greek. Fact is that these Hellenists and Hebraists had their own separate synagogues in Jerusalem long before the start of the church. Hint - this was long, long before the beginning of the church.

[cva66snipe]

From the time of Pentecost to Stephens death is likely 2-3 years tops. Paul's conversion was around 35 AD. Stephens death? 34? Stephen was possibly of the Hellenists. The events in ACTs at least through chapter 8 were the earliest day with the Disciples being sent out in chapter 8 starting with Phillip sent to Gaza being the first of the 12 to start preaching in places away from Jerusalem after Pentecost. Chapter 8 is where the church gets dispersed. Persecution is the main reason stated for the spreading of The Gospel beyond Jerusalem and it was by the early believers who fled. I'll show it in scripture.

Now as for you saying that I said The Holy Spirit "Punished" them? I said no such thing. Here is my words.

But looking deeper were the chosen twelve immediately after The Resurrection doing what they were actually told in The Great Commission? Not really. They were staying in Jerusalem living and dwelling with each other until the death of Stephen which began the persecution in earnest and which resulted in The Gospel reaching far places. The Shepherd was struck and the flock scattered. The Disciple and Apostles as well were corrected by The Holy Spirit.

Notice the . in the sentences between The Shepherd was struck and the flock scattered. and then I posted The Disciple and Apostles as well were corrected by The Holy Spirit. I did not say The Shepherd was struck and the flock scattered because The Disciple and Apostles as well were corrected by The Holy Spirit. The Persecution came because of the Temple Leadership, The Roman leadership, and later a man named Saul of Taurus. When the persecution happened what happened next? There's Phillip lead by The Holy Spirit. Read from Act ch 8 v 4 on through the chapter. The Disciples left Jerusalem. This lead to what? Many more missions.In Chapter 9 Peter is staying a long time in Joppa. Chapter 9 Peter is on the Med Sea coast in Caesarea .

Chapter 11 v 19Meanwhile, the believers who had fled from Jerusalem during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the Good News, but only to Jews. 20However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to Gentiles£ about the Lord Jesus. 21The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

What would have happened had the believers not left Jerusalem? Were or were not the Disciples lead by The Holy Spirit to go to into different places rather than simply establishing the church in Jerusalem ? Thus a correction.

Why the needed correction? Several things. There was some misconceptions at first as to when Christ was returning. Some thought for example the Disciple John would not die before Christ returned. John Ch 21 v 22-23 that is discussed. I think John was likely the last to die though as his death is in the 90's AD.

I think I have with scripture shown what I have said. I believe if The Gospel was being spread by ones who were at Pentecost and left The Scriptures would say so. The references to I see The Gospel spreading outside Jerusalem have to do with the persecution beginning with Stephen.

Also Chapter 1 they were clearly told to stay in Jerusalem till when? Then they were to do what?

Acts ch 1 1Dear Theophilus: In my first book£ I told you about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he ascended to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions from the Holy Spirit. 3During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. On these occasions he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. 5John baptized with£ water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The Ascension of Jesus 6When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?” 7“The Father sets those dates,” he replied, “and they are not for you to know. 8But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Though an act of Jewish rulers the persecution brought the Gospel out of Jerusalem and Israel. From that point on The Holy Spirit was bringing change within the churches and the chosen Disciples and Apostiles.