The Formation of the Church Ecclesiology The Formation of the Church

As previously noted, the church was not an extension of Israel As previously noted, the church was not an extension of Israel. Israel continued to exist concurrent with the church. The church did not exist in the Old Testament. Paul indicates that the church was a new entity and that its existence was a mystery. (Eph. 3:1-12) A Bible mystery was never something that was obtuse, hidden, or difficult to understand. A Bible mystery refers to something that was unknown before but is now revealed. The church is not referenced in the Old Testament at all. (Col. 1:17-27; Eph. 5:30-32)

Who founded the church and when? We know that the church was yet future during the earthly life of Christ. (Matt. 16:13-18) Christ was the first person to use the term “church” in the technical sense that distinguishes the assembly from all other assemblies. He prophesied that He would build His church. At no point in His earthly ministry did He assemble a body of believers for that purpose.

The second time the word “church” appears in our Lords’ discourse with His disciples. He taught them how to resolve conflicts and what to do when the conflicts were not resolved. This passage is the basis for the practice of church discipline. (Matt. 18:15-17) At the time in which Christ spoke these words there was no church. This is because the plan of redemption was not complete. There could be no assembly of believers until the basis of their salvation was completed.

The founder of the church is Jesus Christ The founder of the church is Jesus Christ. It is His Church (Matthew 16:18) and He is the foundation. (1 Cor. 3:5-11) petra not petros Peter, the petros (a small stone) was not the foundation of the church. Christ the petra (a massive rock) is the foundation. Christ is the cornerstone upon which the apostles rested. (1 Pet. 2:4-10; Eph. 2:14-22)

Christ is the Foundation – 1 Cor. 3:11 Christ is the Cornerstone – Eph. 2:20 Christ purchased the church with own blood – Acts 20:28 Christ is the Head of the church by virtue of the resurrections– Eph. 1:20-23 Christ gave gifts to the church – Eph. 4:8

When was the Church formed? At Pentecost! How do we know this? The church is the body of Christ. Entrance into the body of Christ was effected by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:12-13) All four gospels record the words of John the Baptist predicting that Christ would baptize with the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:16; John 1:33) Christ commanded the His disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This transpired on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 1:1-5)

The crucial elements of the church came together at that time The crucial elements of the church came together at that time. Prior to Pentecost the mandate to evangelize and train was given (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19,20) The authority for the gospel came with the resurrection forty days prior to Pentecost. (Acts 1:3) What was missing was the power to function. (Acts 1:8)