Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 65:2 (Fall 2003)
Article: Fleeing Forward: The Departure Of Christians From Jerusalem To Pella
Author: P. H. R. Van Houwelingen

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WTJ 65:2 (Fall 2003) p. 181

Fleeing Forward: The Departure Of Christians From Jerusalem To Pella

P. H. R. Van Houwelingen

[Dr. P. H. R. van Houwelingen is Professor of New Testament at the Theological University in Kampen (Broederweg), the Netherlands. This article is a modified version of his inaugural address, which was delivered on September 2, 2002. He wants to thank Drs. J. M. Batteau, Reformed minister in The Hague, for translating the article into English.]

As Christians we consider the congregation of Jerusalem to be our mother-church. On Pentecost a great number of people in Jerusalem were filled with the Holy Spirit and confessed their faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, the Son of God. Many people were baptized in his name and thus there arose a thriving congregation in the city. The Christian congregation of Jerusalem formed a close-knit fellowship. The book of Acts tells us that they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:41, 42). Because they had favor with all the people, a spectacular growth of the congregation took place. We read of three thousand people who accepted the Word and were baptized (Acts 2:41), a number which grew to about five thousand (counting only the men; Acts 4:4). Many thousands of Jews believed in Jesus the Messiah (Acts 21:20). In many ways the congregation of Jerusalem is a model congregation.

Initially our mother-church was led by the Twelve. Later James, the brother of the Lord, bore the responsibility for the congregation, together with authoritative elders of Jerusalem. This continued up and till the sixties of the first century. In A.D. 62 James became the fatal victim of a murderous assault. A turbulent period followed. We wonder about various things in connection with these events. What happened to the congregation of Jerusalem after the death of James? What were the consequences of the Jewish war for the Christians of Jewish descent? Where was the congregation to be found after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple around A.D. 70?

These questions are posed in connection with being interested about the position of Jewish Christians in the apostolic period. This is an important area for theology, because Christianity has Jewish roots. Sadly, there is not that much data available. That’s why we must make careful use of our primary sources: the New Testament and the witness of the ancient church.1 The investigation in this

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