What is your belief about when the church started?

The church started sometime in the Gospels. The "day of Pentecost" theory is Protestant heresy.

 

I would probably say with "Jesus and His disciples." But I won't quibble with someone who takes either of the other pre-pentecost views.

 

I believe it started with Jesus and his disciples.

Oh.... and Amen!

 

Why do you call it "Protestant" heresy?

 

And why do you call it Protestant "heresy"?

 

"By the sea, by the sea, by the sea of Galilee..." when Jesus called-out Peter, Andrew, James and John, who were already believers, having been baptized by John the Baptist.

A scriptural church is a called-out assembly of baptized believers who have covenanted together to witness to the lost and baptize those who are saved.

The definition of a scriptural church was satisfied when Jesus called-out those first baptized disciples to become fishers of men.

 

The church began on the day of Pentecost.

 

There is a New Testament beginning at least with the baptism of Christ, but more likely John the Baptist: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare the way before thee (Mark 1:1,2)." Mark's prophetic reference is to John the Baptist. I am not saying the church began with John the Baptist, but the era did. I think the church begins with the baptism of Christ. When the Head emerges, part of the body is already there and the rest in soon to follow. I would put it no later than the calling of the disciples. Paul said that God set apostles in the church (I Cor. 12:28), and this was done as early as Matthew 10:1ff. The day of Pentecost was a fulfillment of the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit on the church, not a beginning of the church; and even on that day some were said to be added to the church (Acts ch. 2). These are a few of the reasons I would say that the church started with Jesus and His disciples.

 

Sorry.

My answer is "I don't know, why is it important?"

 

John the Baptist began to prepare the way for the New Testament Church with Jesus gathering His disciples and laying a firm foundation for the Baptist way.

 

Good thread, I have always assumed on Pentacost but after reading everyones view I think it may be easier to pinpoint the beginning of the Church age. This has to be when John began his ministry. Atleast that's what I think.
Murph

 

When Jesus began His ministry and gathered disciples.

 

The Local new testament church was started with Christ and the apostles. The Idea that it was started during the time of Penecost is not held up by scripture. The Lord's Supper was held before this and it is a ordiance of a local organized church. Plus, on this day in Acts the bible says they were added unto them about 3000 souls. How can you add to something that doesn't excist yet? I agree this is a doctrine of Protestant Heresy.

 

The church did not start during the time of Christ. In Matthew 16 it was still future. Spirit baptism, the initiatory "rite" into the body, which is the church (Eph 1), was still future in the gospels. The 3000 at Pentecost were added to the 120 that received Spirit baptism in Acts 2:1-4.

I think it is clear that the church started at Pentecost. I think this "protestant heresy" line ought to be followed up on. That seems like awful strong language for the predominant view of fundamental Baptists. Perhaps a disagreement?? a strong disagreement?? But protestant heresy??? Really????

 

There were plenty of believers in Christ before Pentecost. The plans for the church were being laid out by Jesus as he taught his disciples.

John told the people of who was to come, and those who believed started at that moment. The rest starts to fall into place. the church members were present before pentecost.

[ September 10, 2002, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: TheOliveBranch ]

 

Pentecost - no doubt about it. That it existed in some embryonic form pre Pentecost may be argued, but the church was certainly birthed the day the Spirit came to indwell her. Protestant heresy indeed