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).
 

 

 

4 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

  2. Hi again Paul. The churches being referred to are the churches The Apostle Paul wrote to. (Corinth, Galatians, Colossians etc) My Acts 2:38 friends tell me the method in which folks in those days became “members” was to obey Peter’s directive to repent and be baptized for remission of sins. As to bible verses that support that viewpoint, they offer none, they just assume that those churches Paul is writing to started in early Acts. On the other hand, I can’t really find any bible verses that specifically explain how and when those churches started. Thanks again.

    Reply

    1. Dominick,
      If you’d be willing to give this post – https://wwurd.com/2024/02/21/acts-2-verse-by-verse/ – a read, it will assist with your question.

      Acts 2:5 – [Act 2:5 KJV] 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

      The article I linked highlights in red all of the occurrences in Acts 2 where the audience of Peter’s message is given. Verse 5 above tells us clearly that Peter’s audience were Jews and then verse 10 tells us proselytes were included. Then in verse 8 you get to your question:

      [Act 2:8-11 KJV] 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

      Parthians: they lived in what is modern Iran.
      Medes: during Daniel’s day, they ruled with the Persians and had settled in Parthia.
      Elamites: from the southwestern part of the Parthian Empire.
      Mesopotamia: this means “between the rivers,” the Tigris and Euphrates.
      Judea: all the region once controlled by David and Solomon, including Syria.
      Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia: these were districts in Asia Minor, what is now Turkey.
      Phrygia and Pamphylia: districts in Asia Minor.
      Egypt: it had a large Jewish population, especially in the city of Alexandria.
      Cyrene: districts west of Egypt, along the North African coast.
      Rome: a sizeable Jewish population lived in the capital city of the Roman empire.
      Cretans: those residing on the island of Crete, on the southern coast of Greece.
      Arabians: Jews who lived south of Damascus, among the Arabs.

      That’s all background on Acts 2, but your question is pertaining to Paul’s letters and the churches that he wrote to. Let’s come back to that in a second. First, I want to focus on this comment:

      “My Acts 2:38 friends tell me the method in which folks in those days became “members” was to obey Peter’s directive to repent and be baptized for remission of sins.”

      We recognize that Peter states “Repent, and be baptized…for the remission of sins” in Acts 2:38. Who is his audience? If repentance and water baptism was the model and the clear direction from an apostle of Jesus Christ for salvation today, then the apostle Paul could never state:

      [1Co 1:17 KJV] 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

      …and he’d never state:

      [1Co 1:14 KJV] 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

      If repentance and water baptism saved today, during our current dispensation (Eph 3:2), then not only would we see a ministry of water baptism associated with the apostle Paul, but we’d see Paul instructing you and me, in every one of his 13 epistles, to be water baptizing everyone we meet. This fact applies to the entirety of the dispensation of the grace of God – from the calling of the apostle Paul in Acts 9 to the soon Pre-Trib Rapture of the Church, the body of Christ. Thus, there is no difference between “those days” (as in Acts 9) and today, but there was a difference, a different dispensation (of the Law) on Pentecost when Peter was preaching in the Jewish temple. Different audience, different apostle, different program, different instructions, different dispensation.

      As to Paul’s letters and the churches that he wrote to, make sure you are visiting the short write-up for each book of the Bible found on WWURD.com
      For example, here is Galatians: https://wwurd.com/books-of-the-bible/galatians/
      Within each write-up, especially for the churches that Paul wrote to (i.e. Colossians, Thessalonica, Corinth, etc.) you’re going to find some information like the following for Galatia:
      “The apostle Paul established the churches in the region of Galatia (area of Asia Minor, north of the island of Cyprus) during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:6) and went back to strengthen them in the faith during his third journey (Acts 18:22-23). He may have written this epistle at the time of Acts 18:22 around 52 AD. This is the only epistle that Paul addressed to a group of churches (Gal 1:2). It is also unique in that it was written by Paul’s own hand (cf. Gal 6:11; Rom 16:22).”

      So what is really helpful is that the short write-ups tie the book, and when it was authored, to the book of Acts. None of the churches that Paul established were written to within “earth Acts”.

      Lastly, here is a timeline that you may find useful. It too is linked up on the “Books of the Bible” page on WWURD.com

      CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF THE ACTS PERIOD

      DATE / EVENTS
      30 A.D. – Opening Events; Day of Pentecost; Peter’s sermons, Acts 1-6.
      32 A.D. – Stoning of Stephen, Acts 7.
      33 A.D.- Disciples scattered; they preach in Judea and Samaria, Acts 8.
      35 A.D. – Conversion of Saul, Acts 9. He ministers in Damascus to the Jews who seek to kill him. After three years he escapes from the city and goes to Jerusalem. Sometime during those three years he went to Arabia and returned to Damascus, (Gal. 1:16-18).
      38 A.D. – Saul’s first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion. He stays 15 days with Peter, according to Gal. 1:18. This fact is not mentioned in Acts. After preaching boldly to the Greek-speaking jews, they seek to kill him. The disciples take him to Caesaria and send him back to Tarsus.
      38-45 A.D. Saul preaches in Syria and Cilicia, (Gal. 1:21). No record in Acts of his ministry during these years.
      40 A.D.- Peter goes on preaching tour to Lydda, Joppa, and Caesaria, where Cornelius, Peter’s first Gentile convert, is saved, Acts 9:32-10:48.
      45 A.D. – Reception of Gentile converts into the Jewish church at Antioch, Acts I 1: 19-21. Barnabas is sent to investigate the situation. He goes to Tarsus to find Saul; brings him back to minister at Antioch, Acts 11:22-26.
      46 A.D.- Barnabas and Saul sent to Jerusalem with famine-relief from the church at Antioch. This is Saul’s second visit to Jerusalem after his conversion, Acts 11:27-30; 12:25.
      47-48 A.D. – Saul and Barnabas sent on first missionary journey, Acts 13:1- 14:25. They went to Cyprus, where Saul’s name is changed to Paul; then to Perga, to Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul for the first time officially turns from the Jews to the Gentiles. They continue to Iconium and Lystra, and then retrace their steps to Antioch in Syria.
      49 A.D. Paul goes to Jerusalem for his third visit, this time to settle the question of Gentile freedom from the Mosaic Law and Circumcision, Acts 15: 1-29; Gal. 2:1-10. He and Barnabas return to Antioch with a letter for the Gentiles, accompanied by Judas and Silas, Acts 15:30-35.
      50-52 A.D. – Paul’s second missionary journey. Going from Antioch he traveled through Cilicia, Lycaonia, Galatia, to Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, Acts 15:36-18:18. 51 A.D. Gallio becomes proconsul of Achaia in July, cf. Acts 18:12.
      51 A.D. Paul writes the Thessalonian epistles from Corinth, 1Thess. 3:1, 2 cf., Acts 18:5.
      52 A.D. – After spending a year and a half in Corinth, he stopped briefly in Ephesus and then hasted to Jerusalem to keep the feast. This was his fourth visit since his conversion. He then returned to Antioch, Acts 18:18-22.
      52 A.D. – Paul begins his third missionary journey. He went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, and having passed through the interior of Asia Minor, he came to Ephesus, where he labored for three years, cf. Acts 20:31.
      54 A.D. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, cf. 1 Cor. 16:5-8.
      55 A.D.- Paul departed from Ephesus to go to Macedonia, and having gone over those parts he came into Greece. It is probable that he went as far as Illyricum, cf. Rom. 15:19, which may have taken another year. While in Macedonia he wrote 2 Corinthians. He then went back to Corinth, cf. 2 Cor. 2:12,13, from which place it is thought he wrote Galatians.
      56 A.D. – Paul wrote Romans, cf. Rom. 15:25.
      57 A.D. – Leaving Corinth, Paul went through Macedonia to Philippi, and thence to Troas, Acts 20:3-6. Taking a ship from Troas he sailed for Judea in order to keep the feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. 57 A.D. – Paul’s arrival and arrest in Jerusalem.
      57-59 A.D. – Paul kept in prison at Caesarea, Acts 24:27. 59 A.D. – Paul begins his trip to Rome for his trial.
      60 A.D. – Paul arrives in Rome, after the shipwreck and the winter in Malta, Acts 28:1-11.
      60-61 A.D.- Paul writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon while awaiting his trial.
      61 A.D.- Paul’s trial before Caesar and his acquittal and release from prison. This bring us to the end of the Book of Acts.

      Reply

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