Why Do They
BELIEVE JESUS STARTED THE CHURCH BEFORE PENTECOST?
Lesson Text: Matthew 4:18-22.
Devotional Reading-Subject: The Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.
AIM: To give proof the Lord establish His church before Pentecost.
HOME READINGS
Apostles Set In, Mark 3:14; 1 Cor. 12:28.
Church Baptizing, John 4:1-3.
Observed Lord’s Supper, Matt. 26:26-28.
Had Rule of Discipline, Matt. 18:15-17.
Had a Membership Roil, Acts 1:15.
Met for Business, Acts 1:15-26.
1. Because of the Word “Church.”
The meaning of the word translated “church” in the New Testament is vital to this study. . It was translated from the Greek term “ekklesia,” and it simply means “a called out assembly.” It refers to a congregation of people who worship in a particular locality. It is used over one hundred times in the New Testament, and that is its meaning ever time. For example Acts 19:21-41 employs the term in its ordinary use in those days. Notice it was a congregation or an assembly of people. In fact, it is no congregation to assemble, there is no church.
But the “ekklesia” is more than just an assembly> It is “a called out” assembly. Acts 19:21-41 refers two kinds of assemblies, but they were both “called out.” The difference between the two was the source of their call. One was legal. The other was illegal. Christ is the One Who “called out” disciple to formulate His first church. In John 1:35-51 the Lord issued a call to follow Him. Another passage is Matthew 4:18-22. There was a definite “calling out” by the Lord, and there was a definite “assembly” with the Lord.
Further, an “ekklesia” assembled to transact certain business. The assembly of Acts 19 was not legally constituted; therefore the business they transacted was illegal. The Lord’s churches assemble to transact His business as specified in His Word.
Another matter of vital importance is the fact an “ekklesia” was not composed of every resident of a particular city. A person had to qualify specifically to serve in an “ekklesia.” Further lessons will indicate some of the qualifications for membership in one of the Lord’s churches. However, it should be noted now, one who is a believer may qualify for membership, but every believer does not automatically qualify (Matt. 11:11; John 10:16).
For Discussion. Was there “a called out assembly” by the Lord before Pentecost?
2. Because of the Ordinances.
There are two pictorial church ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They will be studied separately in the future lessons, so there is no point in going into them in detail here. However, the point is both ordinances were the first church before the day of Pentecost.
Read closely John 4:1, 2. It reflects the Lord’s assembly baptized by His authority. This was long before the day of Pentecost.
Matthew 28:19 contains instructions to baptize. This was given before Pentecost.
The same is true of the Lord’s Supper. The night before His crucifixion the Lord instituted His supper (Matt. 26:16-19). This was over fifty days before Pentecost.
Therefore, a strong evidence of the existence of the Lord’s church before Pentecost is the fact both pictorial ordinances were already in use.
For Discussion. Do you believe the authority to administer the ordinances is in true churches today?
3. Because of the Commission.
The Great Commission has already been mentioned. Basically, it is the marching orders of every New Testament church or what authorizes them to do. A form of it is found in each of the first five books of the New Testament (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16: Luke 24:46-48: John 17: 18; 20:21; Acts 1:8).
Even before that, earlier in His public ministry the Lord gave a limited commission to the apostles (Matt. 10:5-42). A little later He sent out the seventy with a limited commission before the day of Pentecost.
In other words, there were plenty of commissions before Pentecost.
4. Because of the Scriptures.
In addition to the previous reasons, there are several Scriptures which cause one to believe the Lord had a church before Pentecost.
First, Matthew 18:20 teaches the simple life of a church constitute two or three assembled with Christ in their midst. This was a reality before Pentecost.
Second, Matthew 18:15-19 teaches a church how to discipline members when personal differences get out of hand. Why give such instructions without the existence of a church?
Third, in Matthew 16:18 the Lord spoke of building His church. It could be translated, “ I will continue to build My church.” At any rate, the first use of the term is “church” in the New Testament indicates something already in existence.
Fourth, Mark 13:34 indicates the Lord left His house on earth before the Pentecost.
Fifth, the disciples continued to assemble, even after Christ’s departure (Acts 1:13, 14). They were unified in fellowship and prayer.
Sixth, They had at least one business meeting before the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:15).
Seventh, they had at least one business meeting before the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:15-26). They elected an apostle to fill the vacancy of Judas Iscariot.
Eight, Acts 2:41 mentions three thousand “were added unto” the other assembled disciples on the day of Pentecost. Something had to be there to add unto it.
Ninth, 1 Corinthians 12;28 states, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles . . .” If that means the apostles were set in the church, a church had to be in existence to set them in it. The setting of the apostles was ling before Pentecost (Mark 3:13-19).
If one had no other source but the Bible, would he believe the first church started during Christ’s public ministry or on Pentecost? No Scripture states it started on Pentecost. In fact, there is not slightest hint it started then.
