When did the Church start?
This question has different answers according to the affiliation you are associated with. Since I am not in this category, I will give my unbiased answer as I read from God's Word.The two contending answers are that the Church started 1. before Acts 2 ,and 2. during Acts 2. Here is my answer as I understand the Word of God. The Church is made up of BELIEVERS. In every age and dispensation you will find this common denominator of all those that are in the Church. In Heb. 11:40, the Bible said of "all those that died in faith", not works,that "they without us should not be made perfect". It IS A FACT that every individual in the Church ,the body of Christ , has this in common; we have believed the Gospel. Isaiah said " who has BELIEVED our report?". There were "believers" before the Law ( Abraham, the "father of faith to all them that believe") Ro.4:11,12,16, Ga.3:7,29. There were "believers" during the Law (prophets) Moses,David, Isaiah,etc. These prophets HEARD AND BELIEVED the Gospel by faith ( Is.53, Ps.22, Ac.7:52). There were "believers" during Jesus' earthly ministry ( the weeping woman ,Lk.7:36-50,The blind man, Lk.18:42, The publican who prayed the sinner's prayer, Lk. 18:13, the thief on the cross, Lk.23:43). As to Acts 2 being the beginning of the Church, I believe the answer is found in verse 41. Notice VERY CAREFULLY; the 3000 were ADDED , not STARTED. Added to what? The Church, the same thing that happened in verse 47. There is not one scripture in Acts 2 that proves the Church started here. But what about the "Spirit coming as a mighty rushing wind? This WAS NOT the first time the 12 had received the Spirit (read Jn.20:22), therefore this teaching is incorrect. Here are some things THAT ARE IN THE CHURCH TODAY that were happening before Acts 2. 1. The Lamb was slain (Rev.13:8) 2. People believed the Gospel and were justified by faith (Ge.15:6). 3. The Law and prophets had ended (Lk.16:16). 4. The kingdom of Heaven was preached (Lk. 16:16). 5. People were saved by hearing preaching ( Jesus, his disciples). 6. Preachers were ordained (Mk.3:14). 7. Baptism (Jn.4:1-2). 8. The Lord's supper (Lk.22:15-20) 9. The Gospel was being preached (Mk.1:1).
This question has different answers according to the affiliation you are associated with. Since I am not in this category, I will give my unbiased answer as I read from God's Word.The two contending answers are that the Church started 1. before Acts 2 ,and 2. during Acts 2. Here is my answer as I understand the Word of God. The Church is made up of BELIEVERS. In every age and dispensation you will find this common denominator of all those that are in the Church. In Heb. 11:40, the Bible said of "all those that died in faith", not works,that "they without us should not be made perfect". It IS A FACT that every individual in the Church ,the body of Christ , has this in common; we have believed the Gospel. Isaiah said " who has BELIEVED our report?". There were "believers" before the Law ( Abraham, the "father of faith to all them that believe") Ro.4:11,12,16, Ga.3:7,29. There were "believers" during the Law (prophets) Moses,David, Isaiah,etc. These prophets HEARD AND BELIEVED the Gospel by faith ( Is.53, Ps.22, Ac.7:52). There were "believers" during Jesus' earthly ministry ( the weeping woman ,Lk.7:36-50,The blind man, Lk.18:42, The publican who prayed the sinner's prayer, Lk. 18:13, the thief on the cross, Lk.23:43). As to Acts 2 being the beginning of the Church, I believe the answer is found in verse 41. Notice VERY CAREFULLY; the 3000 were ADDED , not STARTED. Added to what? The Church, the same thing that happened in verse 47. There is not one scripture in Acts 2 that proves the Church started here. But what about the "Spirit coming as a mighty rushing wind? This WAS NOT the first time the 12 had received the Spirit (read Jn.20:22), therefore this teaching is incorrect. Here are some things THAT ARE IN THE CHURCH TODAY that were happening before Acts 2. 1. The Lamb was slain (Rev.13:8) 2. People believed the Gospel and were justified by faith (Ge.15:6). 3. The Law and prophets had ended (Lk.16:16). 4. The kingdom of Heaven was preached (Lk. 16:16). 5. People were saved by hearing preaching ( Jesus, his disciples). 6. Preachers were ordained (Mk.3:14). 7. Baptism (Jn.4:1-2). 8. The Lord's supper (Lk.22:15-20) 9. The Gospel was being preached (Mk.1:1).
