What is the CHURCH? When did it begin? Where did the Church start?
It is never mentioned in the Old Testament.
Church or Churches is found 115x in the New Testament.
114x Greek word ‘ekklesia’ which means a calling out/a religious congregation/assembly/church.
1x Greek word ‘hierosulos’ and should have been translated temple. Acts 19:37
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
By definition and practice it’s an assembly of people to worship (a) God.
A CHRISTIAN Church is an assembly to worship Christ.
• Only mentioned 3x in the Gospels:
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This is a prophecy of Christ founding the Church.
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Could/Should have been translated Temple)
Not mentioned in Mark, Luke or John
1st mention of CHURCH is in Acts 2:47, CHURCHES in Acts 9:31.
SO WHERE DID THE CHURCH BEGIN?
Reading Acts 2:47; 5:11,42 We see that the Church began in Jerusalem, consisting of Believing Jews, meeting in the Temple and different houses.
Saul (Acts 8:1-3) was able to carry on a persecution against the Church (Believing Jews) when they met in the Temple or houses. And because of him the Church grew and spread. And proof of growth is in Acts 9:31, where we read “Then had the CHURCHES rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria …”
Looking at all the references in Scripture will help us define the Church.
Acts 7:38 Should NOT have been translated CHURCH. This is just the ASSEMBLY of the Children of Israel lead by Moses out of Egypt.
⇛ continue reading Church Part 2
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