Jerusalem

NT Judea

The first church, born when the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples at Pentecost. It grew rapidly under the apostles' teaching and the believers' shared life, weathered its own early scandal when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the church about a gift, and became the site of the council (Acts 15) that settled how Gentile believers should be received.

References: Acts 2:1-47; Acts 6:1-7; Acts 12:1-17; Acts 15:1-29

Named in Scripture at Jerusalem

Peter (M) — apostle / leading spokesman
Acts 1:15; Acts 2:14-41; Acts 15:7-11; Galatians 2:9
John (M) — apostle / pillar of the church
Acts 3:1-11; Acts 8:14; Galatians 2:9
James (M) — leader of the Jerusalem church
Acts 15:13-21; Acts 21:18-25; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:9
Barnabas (M) — generous early member; later sent out from Antioch
Acts 4:36-37
Ananias (M) — deceived the church about the proceeds of a sale, with his wife Sapphira; both died after Peter confronted them
Acts 5:1-10
Sapphira (F) — deceived the church about the proceeds of a sale, with her husband Ananias; both died after Peter confronted them
Acts 5:1-10
Stephen (M) — one of seven chosen to serve, full of faith and the Spirit; became the church's first martyr
Acts 6:5-8:2
Philip (M) — one of seven chosen to serve, before later evangelizing Samaria and the Gaza road
Acts 6:5
Prochorus (M) — one of seven chosen to serve
Acts 6:5
Nicanor (M) — one of seven chosen to serve
Acts 6:5
Timon (M) — one of seven chosen to serve
Acts 6:5
Parmenas (M) — one of seven chosen to serve
Acts 6:5
Nicolas (M) — one of seven chosen to serve
Acts 6:5
Mary (F) — hosted a house gathering praying for Peter's release from prison
Acts 12:12
Rhoda (F) — servant girl in Mary's household who recognized Peter's voice at the gate
Acts 12:13-16
Judas (M) — leading man among the brethren, prophet; sent to Antioch with the council's letter
Acts 15:22-32
Silas (M) — leading man among the brethren; sent to Antioch with the council's letter, later Paul's missionary companion
Acts 15:22-32