We must remember that throughout these stages the Christian communities were not separated from Judaism. … Jewish Christians could maintain themselves in Jerusalem by attending the temple and practicing circumcision.
Formation And Struggles: The Birth of the Church Ad 33-200, by Veselin Kesich
One can consider the first decades of the early church in three stages: from the crucifixion and resurrection until the conversion of Paul (approx. from 30 – 35 AD), then to the destruction of the temple (70 AD), and, finally, to the events following the First Jewish-Roman War.
That war eliminated the Sadducees and Essenes from history, yet there remained diversity within Judaism. The Pharisees would bring their religious teaching to the new religious center of Jamnia, and with them they brought their passion for debate......
.....The focus in this post is the time before the conversion of Paul. Sources include the first twelve chapters of Acts, a few fragments in Paul’s letters, and fragments in a few other New Testament sources.
Luke, the author of Acts and Paul’s traveling companion, was present at the most important events recorded in later chapters of Acts. But for this earlier period, he relied on testimony from those who were present.
The evangelist skillfully presented his sources, weaving and shaping them, and grounding his interpretation on facts. His main purpose was to present the origins of the Christian community, its expansion and Paul’s missionary activities.
Luke would bring together history and theology, and the evidence demonstrates that he is reliable as a historical source. Where it is possible to compare historical data in Acts with the work of Jewish or Roman historians, some facts can be confirmed. Roman historians have long taken the history recorded in Acts for granted.
Luke conveyed the atmosphere in which the earliest Christians lived and worked, the problems they encountered, and the harassment and persecution they experienced. He personalized it by concentrating on Peter, Stephen, and Paul.
Palestine at the time of Jesus was a complicated case. Three languages were spoken, each as a result of conquerors: Aramaic came with the Assyrian conquest, then there was also Greek with Alexander and Latin with Rome. During Passover, Jerusalem would swell with the return of Diaspora Jews.....
https://bionicmosquito.substack.com/p/jerusalem?publication_id=2189155&utm_campaign=email-post-title&r=y7h5a&utm_medium=email
....While it is recorded that this early Christian community was of one accord, they were not without problems. We know of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied about the value received of their property. The issue was not that they had property, but that they lied about the value when donating the proceeds to the community. Care for the poor was a hallmark of the community – here, again, a practice of the church from the beginning.
As the church grew, more leaders were needed to care for the needs of the community. Seven were appointed to this task.
Acts 6: 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Conclusion
With the appointment of the Seven, the koinonia in Jerusalem grew, and church missions spread beyond the city.
This growth would include priests:
Acts 6: 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
It is suggested that the priests came from the Essenes. However, there is no indication that they had a priestly role after coming into the community.
The pre-Pauline creedal statement “that Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor 15:3) transcended the entire sacrificial system of the temple, and the Eucharist as a bloodless sacrifice fulfilled it.
