by Pastor Greg Wilson
1. The literal meaning of the word church (ekklesia). From ek, meaning "out" and kaleo
meaning "to call." Jesus called out His disciples from
the disciples of John early in His public ministry, forming the church or
called-out assembly (John
2. Christ said He would leave His “house” on
earth when He went on a “far journey” (ascended back unto heaven) (Mark
3. Christ spoke of His disciples as a “flock”
prior to Pentecost (Luke
4. They preached the gospel prior to
Pentecost (Mark 1:1;
5. They had Holy Spirit power prior to Pentecost
(Matt. 10:5, 19,20).
6. They baptized prior to Pentecost (John 4:1,2).
7. They received the Lord’s Supper prior to
Pentecost (Matt. 26:26; Luke 22:17-20; Mark 14:22-26).
8. They had an ordained ministry prior to
Pentecost (Mark
9. They had church discipline prior to Pentecost
(Matt.
10. They had Christ as their “head” prior to
Pentecost (John
11. They had a membership of 120 prior to
Pentecost (Acts
12. They had a business meeting and elected
officers prior to Pentecost (Acts
13. They had a treasurer prior to Pentecost
(John
14. They “added” 3,000 on the day of Pentecost
(Acts
15. They had the “Great Commission” prior to
Pentecost (Matt. 28:19,20).
16. Christ was “building” His church prior to
Pentecost (Matt.
17. They (“us”) had been in existence (“companied
with us”) “from the baptism of John” (Acts
18. The Bridegroom was with His Bride (the
church) prior to Pentecost (John 3:29; cf. Eph. 5:22-33; 2 Cor.
11:2).
19. Christ sang in His church prior to Pentecost
(Mark
20. There is NO Scripture anywhere to
indicate that the church began at Pentecost.
Prior to Pentecost they were a body of baptized believers banded together to carry out the will of Jesus Christ. THAT IS A CHURCH!!! |