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The Church! Its Beginning!

Isaiah 2:24; Matthew 16:18

Introduction

1. In giving a description of something, many times, we will give the time when that thing began.
2. Some seem to believe that it is unimportant to know when the church was established.
3. Yet, it is a matter of extreme importance to know when the church was established in order to identify the NT church. The integrity of God is on the line. Deut. 18:21-22; Isa. 44:6-8; 41:22

When was the church of Christ established?

1. Divine Prophecy: Isaiah 2:2-4; Dan. 2:28
   1. When? The "Latter Days" or "Afterward" Joel 2:28
   2. What? The Lords house.
      1. That place where the Lord would dwell.
   3. Where? The tops of the mountains.
      1. This is Zion or Jerusalem. Zechariah 8:3
   4. Why? That all nations could be taught the ways of the Lord.
   5. For God to be true, these events must have already come to pass. Matthew 5:18
2. The Church in Preparation:
   1. Before the establishment of any government, or organization, there must be the work of teaching and arousing in the people an interest in the principle which will govern that institution.
   2. The preaching of John the Baptist - Matt. 3:2
   3. Preaching of Jesus - Mark 1:15
      1. I will build my church - Matt. 16:18
      2. Kingdom to come with power - Mark 9:1
      3. Kingdom was to come in the lifetime to those who heard Jesus - ibid
      4. Power was to be received by the apostles in the city of Jerusalem. Luke 24:49
   4. If the church existed during the life of John or Jesus, why was so much preparation being done for the building of the church?
3. The Fulfillment of Divine Prophecy:
   1. When? Latter or last days. Isaiah 2:2-4; Joel 2:28; Hebrews 1:1,2
      1. Afterwards == Last days accord to Peter - Acts 2:17
   2. What? The House of the Lord! Eph. 2:19,20; 3:14,15; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Tim. 3:15
   3. Where? Apostles were in Jerusalem. Luke 24:27-49; Acts 1:12; 2:5
   4. Why? That all nations could hear the gospel of Christ. Acts 2:5; Fifteen different nations represented. Acts 2:9-11
   5. The people heard the good news of Jesus Christ, were convicted of their sins and repented and were baptized in water for the remission of theirs sins, and for the first time we read of the church in existence. Acts 2:47
      1. Why? Because the church was established in the tops of the mountains in the city of Jerusalem just as God has said, and Acts 2 is the fulfillment of these things.
4. What does this mean for us?
   1. Must be able to trace back our origin to the beginning in order to be identified as the Church of Christ.
   2. If the church you belong did not begin on the first Pentecost after the death of Christ, then you are with the wrong group.
   3. Only the body, which is the church will be saved. Eph. 5:25; 1:22-23; 4:4

Conclusion

1. Can you truly trace your beginning back the NT?
2. We do not ask you to join a denomination, but simply be a part of the church that Christ died for.

* New Ninth Edition, Handbook of Denominations in the United States, Frank S. Mead, Revised by Samuel S. Hill.