That National Israel never accepted Christ (Romans 11:11), so by the order of the Great Commission spelt in Luke, they could not leave Jerusalem until that happen.
But some of them did, and significant church leaders from Jerusalem left to go verify events in other churches.
Jesus was clear. The kingdom of God is not of this world - and then exploded out of Jerusalem all over the Roman Empire within a few decades. In Acts 1:8 he declared that the gospel would be preached to the ends of the earth - and by the end of Acts we see that happening as it reached the heart of the Roman Empire. As they say, "All roads lead to Rome."
Basically, as far as the New Testament is concerned, there is no theological reason the Lord could not have returned then. The gospel WAS preached to all nations in biblical terms by the end of Acts. That's the theological significance of what we see. It's not geographically speaking accurate - but according to the concerns of the New Testament - there was absolutely nothing the bible requires to happen after the gospel reaches 'all nations.' (And in the overall thrust and vibe of the New Testament - the gospel reaching Rome seems to be that measure.)
Peter did not preach that Christ died for his sins and all he needed to do is to believe in his resurrection and he will be saved. Peter only knew the gospel of the kingdom, which is the gospel of the circumcision, as given by Acts 8:35 "work righteousness".
That's quite a dangerous reading of the passage and of the gospel Peter taught!
Question: if Cornelius was already saved through 'works righteousness' - why did God send an angel to tell Cornelius he needed to hear what Peter had to say?
Why did God send Peter the vision of the unclean animals - and that God declared them clean? This fits in with another question I might ask today: how is it that I, a gentile Australian, can be in God's kingdom right now, here in Sydney Australia?
Answer: Jesus death and resurrection on my behalf! The gospel of faith!
What does Peter talk about with Cornelius? The gospel of faith in Jesus death and resurrection - which Cornelius seemed to already know! But something about Peter's presentation was important enough for God to use angels and visions to get Peter to go and declare it to Cornelius so God could show THE CHURCH how God was pleased with the gentiles - and sent the Holy Spirit on them all.
Note how Peter says they ALREADY KNOW the gospel!
The gospel! From Acts 10: (and please understand these are biographical summaries of the message. Contraction was a common tool in biographical narrative in the literature back then. Peter probably spoke for hours!)
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37
You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Gospel declared, Holy Spirit given, and Peter amazed at the way the kingdom of God was spreading even to gentiles.
You are wrong, wrong, wrong.
Do you recall Acts 8:1, last 3 words? I didn't said Apostles, I said the 12 + James, which will exclude Paul.
Do you mean Acts 1:8?
Do you mean to rejig what the bible actually says about Cornelius obviously receiving and believing in the gospel and receiving the Spirit as a result?
What is the point of all this? Some special role for Israel now? Some way to justify some eschatological expectation for Israel? Something to do with modern Jews re-establishing a Militant Zionist state that disobeys international law and unjustly runs an apartheid system, and robs Palestinians of their land? (Not that the Palestinians are shining angels in all this either - but if we look at the numbers in this particular conflict - Militant Zionism is FAR deadlier and harsher than Militant Islam!)