The Beginning of the Church

We do not find ekklesia (church) used again in Matthew, and not at all in the other three Gospels. The next occurrence of the word occurs in Acts 2: “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47⁴⁷Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)). It is in Acts that we find, on the day of Pentecost, that the Church begins. On that day, when the disciples were together in one place, “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:2‑4)).

In the Gospel of John, the Lord promised His disciples: “The Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)). And again: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you” (John 16:7⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)). And just before the Lord’s ascension: “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5⁵For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)).

The beginning of the Church happened at the coming of the Holy Ghost, and was dependent upon the ascension of Christ. Not only did the Holy Spirit dwell within the Church — “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2)) — but He also dwells within each believer: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:4⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)).

“By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)).

“The church, which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22-23²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23)).

The Day of Pentecost

It was no coincidence that the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost. Four of the Seven Feasts of Jehovah (Leviticus 23) occupy a peculiar place together: The Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits, and the Feast of Weeks. It is the last of these, the Feast of Weeks, that is called the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1¹And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1)) — deriving from the Greek word for fifty. In the New Testament we find the meaning and fulfillment of these feasts:

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12, Leviticus 23:4-8⁴These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. ⁵In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. ⁶And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. ⁷In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. ⁸But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. (Leviticus 23:4‑8)) — “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7-8⁷Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: ⁸Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:7‑8)).

The Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10-14¹⁰Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: ¹¹And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. ¹²And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord. ¹³And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savor: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. ¹⁴And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. (Leviticus 23:10‑14)) — “But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20²⁰But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)).

Christ was crucified on the Passover, and rose again as the firstfruits. On the Feast of Firstfruits, the children of Israel brought a sheaf of the firstfruits of their harvest to the priest: “And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it” (Leviticus 23:10-11¹⁰Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: ¹¹And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (Leviticus 23:10‑11)). The sheaf of the firstfruits was brought on the Lord’s day — the resurrection day, the day after the Sabbath.

Numbering seven Sabbaths from the Feast of First Fruits, on the day after the seventh Sabbath — that is, on the Lord’s Day — was the Feast of Weeks: “Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord” (Leviticus 23:16¹⁶Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:16)). This is the day of Pentecost.

The Feast of Weeks was unique in that it required two loaves of fine flour, baken with leaven (see Leviticus 23:17¹⁷Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:17)). These picture the church. The fine flour speaks of Christ, while the leaven speaks of our nature — corrupt and corrupting. Two loaves would suggest that we are not talking about an individual — two is always considered a competent witness. It reminds us of: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them,” (Matthew 18:20²⁰For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). We must not forget that a kid and two lambs were offered in connection with these loaves: “Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings” (Leviticus 23:19¹⁹Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. (Leviticus 23:19)). These speak of the work of Christ for the believer, and the response of the believer’s heart.

How Do We Become a Member of the Church?

It is not our doing; it is a work of the Spirit. “For also in the power of one Spirit we have all been baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13) JND). Again, the body spoken of — the body of Christ — is the Church: “The church, which is his body” (Ephesians 1:22-23²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23)). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred once at Pentecost; it was then that the body of Christ was formed, and no one can be a member of the body of Christ until he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

“In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)).

What is it that we believe? What is the Gospel (the Good News) of salvation?

“The gospel of God, (which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:1-4¹Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ²(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) ³Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; ⁴And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: (Romans 1:1‑4)).

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16‑17)).

In the book of Acts we see the work of the Holy Spirit adding to the Church, first with the Jews, then with the Samaritans, and after that among the Gentiles.

The Jews

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:36-38³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36‑38)).

The Samaritans

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did” (Acts 8:5-6⁵Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. ⁶And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:5‑6)).

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:14-17¹⁴Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ¹⁵Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: ¹⁶(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14‑17)).

The Gentiles

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band, a] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:1-2¹There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ²A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. (Acts 10:1‑2)).

“To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word” (Acts 10:43-44⁴³To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ⁴⁴While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (Acts 10:43‑44)).

With the Jew, repentance and baptism (identification with a crucified and risen Christ) needed to precede the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Samaritans were not only baptized (Acts 8:12¹²But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)), but had the apostles’ hands laid on them with prayer, before they received the Holy Spirit. But at Caesarea, without baptism, without the laying on of hands, without request to God, the richest Christian blessing was given to the Gentiles. For the Jews, repentance was necessary, a complete turn towards Christ — disassociation from the guilty nation. For the Samaritans, hated of and hating the Jew, identification with those in Jerusalem was a must. For the Gentile, mighty in his own estimation, nothing but the free gift of God will do.