The Establishment of the Church

Chuck Northrop

If you were asked where was the church established, how would you answer? I’m confident we would receive nearly as many answers as people we asked. Some may say Rome, others may say Germany or England, and still others may say various cities in America.

If you were asked when was the church established, how would you answer? Again, the answer would probably be as variable as the number of people asked. Answers would range thousands of years before Christ to within the last century.

If you were asked who established the church, how would you respond? Some would say Abraham, others would say Jesus, and still others might say Luther, Calvin, Smythe, Wesley, or Miller.

If we really wanted the right answers to these questions, where should we turn? Where should we look to find the correct answers? Since God adds the saved to the church (Acts 2:47), and since Jesus is the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23) which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), then the church concerns the salvation of man. And, since the church concerns mankind’s redemption, then its establishment is of utmost importance. So where can we find out about the establishment of the church? In the same place we read about the church — the Bible. So according to the Bible, who established the church, and where and when was it established?

The answer to the first question is Jesus. On the coast of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus promised His disciples He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). That, in itself, ought to answer the question. However, there is more to it. Not only did Jesus promise to build the church, He purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28). We often think about the blood of Jesus paying the price of sin, but it also paid the price for the church. For this reason, when sin is wiped away, God adds the saved to the church. Now let’s apply this. Paul wrote, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Second question: When was the church established? The church was established on Pentecost fifty days after the death of Christ. Notice this: (1) Jesus promised the kingdom was at hand (Matthew 4:17). (2) Jesus promised to build His church, and this would come to fruition when Peter was given the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19). (3) Jesus promised there would be some who would not taste of death until they see the kingdom (Mark 9:1). (4) Jesus promised at the institution of the Lord’s supper that He would not drink the fruit of the vine with His disciples until the kingdom came (Matthew 26:29). (5) Jesus promised the kingdom would “come with power” (Mark 9:1). When did all of these things come to pass? The Jewish holiday of Pentecost fifty days after the crucifixion of Christ (Acts 2). It was near to the time of Jesus’ preaching. The church was built upon Peter’s proclamation of Christ (Acts 2:14), and God added those who were saved to the church (Acts 2:41,47). It came during the lifetime of those to whom Jesus spoke. After its establishment, the disciples partook of the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:42), and it came with power (Acts 2:2-4). Thus, the church was established on Pentecost of AD 30 as recorded in Acts 2.

Finally, where was the church established? Since the Bible teaches the church was established on the day of Pentecost, then the where is simple — the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2:5).

Are you a member of a church established by Jesus in the city of Jerusalem fifty days after His death? Do you want to learn more about the church Jesus established, then please write to us and let us know how we may help you.