Question 1

Were the first followers of Jesus Jewish?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Yeshua, the apostles, and the earliest Jerusalem believers were Jewish. They understood faith in Yeshua within Israel’s covenant story and continued participating in Jewish communal and religious life.

Question 2

Did the first followers believe they were creating a new religion?

Accepted Answer

The earliest disciples understood themselves as followers of Israel’s Messiah, not founders of a religion detached from Israel. The separation between Judaism and Christianity developed gradually through later historical, political, and theological changes.

Question 3

What did the first followers of Jesus practice?

Accepted Answer

They studied Scripture, followed the apostles’ teaching, prayed together, shared meals, worshiped, practiced generosity, cared for people in need, proclaimed the resurrection, and depended upon the Holy Spirit.

Question 4

Must Christians become Jewish to follow their example?

Accepted Answer

No. Acts 15 establishes that Gentile believers did not need to become Jewish proselytes. Christians can recover biblical convictions and practices without claiming Jewish identity.

Question 5

Did Jewish followers of Jesus continue observing Torah?

Accepted Answer

The New Testament presents Jewish followers—including the apostles and Paul—continuing to participate in Torah-shaped Jewish life. Their faith in Yeshua did not automatically erase their Jewish identity or communal responsibilities.

Question 6

Should Christians celebrate the Biblical festivals?

Accepted Answer

Christians may study and respectfully commemorate the biblical festivals to understand Scripture and God’s redemptive story more deeply. Participation should honor their Jewish setting and avoid imitation, appropriation, or spiritual superiority.

Question 7

Is restoring first-century faith the same as recreating the early Church?

Accepted Answer

No. Christians cannot reproduce the precise historical world of the apostles. Restoration means recovering enduring biblical convictions and practices, then applying them faithfully and wisely in present circumstances.

Question 8

Was the first community a perfect model?

Accepted Answer

No. Acts and the apostolic letters record hypocrisy, ethnic tension, moral failure, doctrinal disagreements, and personal conflicts. The first believers provide a model of continuing repentance, correction, discernment, and dependence upon grace.

Question 9

What is the most important thing Christians can recover?

Accepted Answer

Christians can recover discipleship as a complete way of life. Faith in Yeshua forms how believers understand Scripture, develop character, use possessions, treat others, build community, and participate in God’s mission.

FAQ - Netivyah International