Why do you put so much emphasis on when the Church began?

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I was recently asked a question on X (Twitter) that I thought would make for a good post here on WWURD:

If you have an X account and you’re not following me there, I’d ask that you consider it: https://x.com/WWURD_Official 

I post six days a week, Monday through Saturday, between 8am and noon, MST.  My posts are always focused upon fulfilling the Christian’s true commission:

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:19-20)

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Eph 3:9)

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thes 5:11)

This question, “why make such a big deal about when it is that the Church, the body of Christ, started” fascinated me.  I must admit that while reading this persons question, I experienced a “deer in the headlights” moment.  What I mean by that is that I was so overcome with so much to say in answer to his question that I almost froze.  I asked myself, “where do I begin?”  I’m sure you’ve experienced such a moment also at some point.  Well, the following is my answer to this persons question:

1) Rightly Divide the Word of Truth (2 Tim 2:15 KJV):
 
The Bible isn’t a flat book – it is progressive revelation across dispensations (administrations of God’s dealings with humanity). Misplacing the Church’s start at Pentecost leads to conflating Israel’s Law-based program (e.g., Mt 5-7’s Sermon on the Mount, Acts 2-3’s kingdom gospel, etc.) with the Church’s grace-based program (Romans through Philemon). This causes confusion, like applying water baptism or endurance for salvation (Mt 24:13) to believers today, instead of faith alone in Christ’s finished work.
 
Example:  Peter’s Pentecost message in Acts 2 was a murder indictment leveled against Israel (Acts 2:36-38), not the gospel of grace.  Recognizing that the Church began later with the apostle Paul prevents “wrong division” and it prevents doctrinal error.
 
2) Preach the Correct Gospel for Today:
 
The gospel that saves today is Paul’s “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24; 1 Cor 15:1-4) – Christ’s death for sins, burial, and resurrection – revealed as a mystery (secret) to the apostle Paul (Rom 16:25).  If one teaches that the Church started at Pentecost, there is a strong likelihood that they will preach and teach Peter’s kingdom gospel (repentance + water baptism for Israel’s remission of sins, Acts 2:38), which are works and do not apply for salvation today (Eph 2:8-9).
 
Importance:  Eternal life hangs in the balance.  Believing the wrong gospel leads to “another gospel” (Gal 1:6-9), potentially damning souls.  The apostle Paul is the pattern (1 Tim 1:16) and prototype for grace salvation, bypassing Israel’s Law and covenants.
 
3) Understand Our Identity and Position in Christ:
 
The Church is the “one new man” (Eph 2:15) where Jew and Gentile are equal, baptized by the Spirit into Christ’s Body (1 Cor 12:13) – a secret (mystery) not in prophecy (Eph 3:5-6).  Starting the Church, the body of Christ, at Pentecost ignores Peter’s Jewish focus and the later revelation given to Paul.
 
Why it matters:  It affects our daily living.  We’re not under the Law (Rom 6:14) or awaiting an earthly kingdom (like Israel in prophecy).  Instead, we’re sealed eternally (Eph 1:13-14), joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), and destined for heavenly places (Eph 2:6).  Misunderstanding this fact leads to legalism, works-based insecurity, or Replacement Theology (claiming that the Church replaced Israel).
 
4) Proper Eschatology (End-Times Understanding):
 
The Church’s mystery nature means it is not in prophecy, so it ends before the Tribulation period (Daniel’s 70th Week) via the Pre-Trib Rapture (1 Thes 4:16-17; 1 Cor 15:51-52).  Pentecost was the “last days” of prophecy (Acts 2:17), not the Church’s “first days” as taught by countless churches on Sunday mornings.
 
Importance:  Understanding properly when the Church started and when its time on the earth will end provides hope (Titus 2:13) and clarity for the believer.  Without this, believers might spend their time fearing that they will have to endure Tribulation wrath (meant for unbelieving Israel and the nations, 1 Thes 5:9) or they may end up spiritualizing the prophecies found in Scripture (e.g., Amillennialism, which ignores a literal millennial kingdom promised to Israel).
 
5) Avoid Tradition and Embrace Biblical Authority:
 
The “Pentecost start of the Church” in Acts 2 teaching is purely tradition, and is not actually found in Scripture.  This teaching leads to errors in one’s theology such as the Church being the “bride of Christ” (it is the Body of Christ; Rev 21:9-10 shows the bride as being the New Jerusalem) or by applying the doctrine found in the Hebrew epistles (James, Hebrews, Revelation, etc.) to the Church, the body of Christ.
 
Why this is vital:  Right division and the proper understanding to when it is that the Church, the body of Christ, started glorifies God by letting Scripture interpret itself, not by interpreting man-made systems.  Doctrine is practical (e.g., grace motivates holy living, not fear).  Mis-timing the Church’s origin will not affect the believer’s standing (eternal position in Christ), but it certainly can negatively impact the believer’s state (daily walk), thus hindering that believer’s growth.
 
Conclusion:
 
Subscribing to the tradition that teaches that the Church, the body of Christ, started in Acts 2 at Pentecost indicates that a person does not rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15 KJV).  Right Division is essential for sound doctrine, effective evangelism with the correct gospel, properly fulfilling our role of being ambassadors for Christ, and victorious Christian living while knowing God’s will.  Without right division, the Bible appears contradictory – e.g., why is it that Paul says “my gospel” in Romans 2:16, if Peter preached the same gospel?  Rightly dividing the word of truth resolves this and all other supposed contradictions in Scripture, revealing God’s wisdom within His different programs (Eph 3:1-12).
 

 

 

2 responses to “Why do you put so much emphasis on when the Church began?”

  1. First off, my sincere appreciation for this site and for what you are doing. My question is simple. (maybe) I know a good number of Acts 2:38 Christians. When I inform them that the Body of Christ Church did not start at Pentecost and that we are to follow Paul’s epistles regarding how we are to live today, their response is that those churches were formed by people that obeyed Acts 2:38. I must admit, that seems like a reasonable point of view. Thoughts?

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Dominick.
      Can you expand on your question a little? I’m focusing upon this part of your comment/question: “those churches were formed by people that obeyed Acts 2:38”
      Which “churches” are you referring to?
      If you can provide a “chapter & verse” that will assist me with answering your question.
      Thank you again,
      -Paul

      WhichChurch?

      Reply

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