When Did the Church Begin?
Jesus promised,
"I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18)
At the time He spoke those words, the church was still future.
The question is:
When did that promise become reality?
The New Testament answers this by following the unfolding plan of God.
John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ.
Jesus preached that the kingdom of God was near.
He chose and trained His apostles.
He died on the cross for our sins.
He rose from the dead.
Then, before returning to heaven, He gave His apostles one final commission:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)
He also told them not to begin that work immediately.
Instead, they were to wait in Jerusalem until they received the promised Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).
That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles just as Jesus had promised. Peter preached that Jesus had been raised from the dead and exalted to God's right hand as both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:32-36).
When the people believed the message, they asked,
"Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)
Peter answered,
"Repent and be baptized..." (Acts 2:38)
About three thousand people responded.
Luke then records something that had never been said before:
"The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)
That statement is significant.
People cannot be added to something that does not yet exist.
From this point forward, the church appears throughout the book of Acts as a living, growing community of believers.
This also explains why the New Testament consistently looks back to Pentecost as the beginning of the church's mission. The gospel is first preached in its fullness after Jesus' death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation. The Holy Spirit comes. The apostles begin their worldwide mission. People are added to Christ's church.
The church was not an accident or an afterthought.
It was part of God's eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:8-11), promised by Christ, and brought into being exactly as He said it would be.
Understanding when the church began helps us understand everything that follows in the New Testament.
Continue Your Study
The Church Is the Body of Christ
The New Testament describes the church in several different ways.
Why does Paul call it the body of Christ?
What does that tell us about Christ, His people, and our relationship to one another?
Related Bible Studies
What Is the Church?
Why Baptism?
The First Gospel Sermon
Why Does Authority Matter?
Companion Video
When Did the Church Begin?
Read First. Conclude Later.