"Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." (Acts 8:1; NKJV)
"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word." (Acts 8:4; NKJV)
The Great Commission was given to the Apostles by Jesus. The gospel was to be preached first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria and then to the end of the Earth. When great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, the Christians were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Except the Apostles. The Apostles remained in Jerusalem.
Notice that the early Christians understood that The Great Commission was not only given to the Apostles. They understood that it was their commission too. They went preaching the word.
Go. Preach the word. Carry out The Great Commission.
