Jesus Starts Church Before Pentecost

From the Original Baptist Observer, Issue February 2011

I The word “church” defined:

A The meaning of the word translated “church” in the New testament is vital to this study. (1) It was translated from the Greek term “ekklesia”, and simply means “a called out assembly”. (2) It refers to a congregation of people who worship in a particular locality. (3) It is used over one hundred times in the New Testament, and that is the meaning every time. Acts 19:21-41 employs the term in its ordinary use in those days. Notice that it was a congregation, or assembly of people. In fact, it is translated “assembly” in verses 32, 39 and 41. (4) If there is no congregation to assemble, there is no church.

B An ekklesia is more than just an assembly. (1) It is a “called out” assembly. (2) This passage in Acts refers to two kinds of assemblies, but they were both “called out”. (3) The difference between the two was the source of their call. One was legal, while the other was illegal. (4) Christ was the One Who “called out” disciples to formulate His first church, (text). There was a definite “calling out” by the LORD, and there was a definite “assembly” with the LORD.

C An “ekklesia” assembled to transact certain business. (1) The assembly in Acts 19 was not legally constituted; therefore, the business they transacted was illegal. (2) The LORD’S churches assemble to transact His business as specified in His Word.

D Another matter of vital importance is the fact an ekklesia was not composed of every resident of a particular city. (1) A person had to qualify specifically to serve in an ekklesia. One who is a believer may qualify for membership in a church, but not every believer automatically qualifies, Matthew 11:11; John 10:16. (2) There was a called out assembly by the LORD before Pentecost.

II The Ordinances:

A There are two pictorial ordinances, baptism and the LORD’S Supper. (1) Both ordinances were in the first church before the day of Pentecost. Baptism- Matthew 28:19; John 4:1-2. The LORD’S Supper- Matthew 26:26-29. (2) There is strong evidence of the existence of the LORD’S church before Pentecost, and these ordinances are seen at least a month and a half before Pentecost. The authority to administer these ordinances resides in true churches today.

III The Commission:

A The Great Commission has already been mentioned, but lets’ consider some of the other occurrences (it occurs in each of the first five books of the New Testament), Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48; John 17:18; 20:20; Acts 1:8.

B Even before that, earlier in His public ministry, the LORD gave a limited commission to the apostles, Luke 9: 1-6. (1) Later, He also sent the seventy with a limited commission, Luke 10:1-17.

IV The Scriptural record:

A A church was taught how to discipline its members when personal differences get out of hand, Matthew 18:20. (1) Why give such instructions without the existence of a church?

B The simple life of a church constitutes two or three assembled with Christ in their midst, Matthew 18:20.

C The LORD spoke of building His church personally, Matthew 16:18. (1) This first use of the term “church” here, indicates something already in existence.

D The LORD left His house on earth when He left, Mark 13:34. (1) The LORD’S house is the “church of the living God”, I Timothy 3:15. (2) Since our LORD left before Pentecost, He left a church on earth before Pentecost.

E The disciples continued to assemble even after Christ’s departure, Acts 1:13-14. (1) They were unified in fellowship and prayer.

F They had at least one business meeting before the day of Pentecost, Acts 1:15-26. (1) They elected an apostle to fill the vacancy of Judas Iscariot, fulfilling the prophecies of Psalm 69:25 and 109:8.

G Three thousand “were added unto” the other assembled disciples on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:41. (1) Something had to be there to add unto it.

H The apostles were set in a church that had existence, I Corinthians 12:28. (1) This setting of the apostles was long before Pentecost, Mark 3:13-19. If one had no other source but the Bible, one would easily come to the conclusion that the first church started during Christ’s public ministry. No Scripture implies otherwise. In fact, there is not the slightest hint, other than man’s reasoning and justifying a later date and Protestantism, that suggests otherwise.