The Beginning of What

[mnw]

For those who hold to the position that the Church started in Christ's earthly ministry I have a question.

In Acts 11:15 to what is Peter referring? I believe he is speaking of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit being the beginning of the church.

What do you believe it was the beginning of?

I believe the timing of the beginning of the church is an area open to Christian liberty so it is not a contentious issue for me. I am just curious. Well, unless you believe the church started in the Old Testament, then it is a little more important to me.

 

[2 Timothy2:1-4]

The church was powerlwess until the day of Pentecost.

 

[mnw]

That doesn't answer my question.

 

[pinoybaptist]

The New Testament Church was founded along the shores of Cesaria Philippi, but did not manifest its existence until Pentecost.

The instructions from its founder was precise: WAIT.

Leastways, that's what was taught to me in Bible College, and one of the things I did not shed off after I became Primitive Baptist.

 

[mnw]

I'm beginning to think there is a language barrier. :wavey::thumbs:

Peter says that when the Holy Spirit came it was the beginning of something.

In your opinions, what was it the beginning of?

I understand your positons on the origins of the church, but that is not the question really I am asking.

If you do not believe the church started at Pentecost, then to what is Peter referring when he refers to that time as the beginning?

 

[Amy.G]

I'm beginning to think there is a language barrier. :wavey::thumbs:

Peter says that when the Holy Spirit came it was the beginning of something.

In your opinions, what was it the beginning of?

I understand your positons on the origins of the church, but that is not the question really I am asking.

If you do not believe the church started at Pentecost, then to what is Peter referring when he refers to that time as the beginning?

Act 11:15 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as {He did} upon us at the beginning.

Act 2:33 "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.

I believe the beginning he is speaking of refers to the promise that Jesus gave about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and also the prophecy of Joel. In other words, the beginning of the promise of the Holy Spirit.


John 14:17 {that is} the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, {but} you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.


Act 2:16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
Act 2:17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;

 

[Archeryaddict]

this may not be what the OP is looking for
but this is my thoughts.
the Church started When Jesus began discipling the Apostles.
Jesus was the Head and foundation of the Church then just as He is now.

 

[Steven2006]

Maybe they are just referring to the beginning of their fellowship with the Holy Spirit in chapter two. Kind of like, now it happened with them like it first did with us. (How it began with us)

 

[mnw]

Okay, that is the sort of thing I was looking for. Thank you.

 

[mmetts]

Not my words, but...

OP: Here's what I've heard on the issue. However, I've yet to do my own study to determine if this is valid. You might consider this previous sentence a disclaimer before making any protests to me personally (for any who are in disagreement).

The Eschatological Church (the one painted in Revelation) started before the creation of the World

The Visible Church (the one made one by the Eucharist) started at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit arrived one it

The Personal Church (you are the temple of the Holy Spirit) started at your baptism

 

[mmetts]

Another quote, also not mine.

No human words can describe it fully, because the Church itself is part of the Mystery of Christ.

The Eschatological Church started before the creation of the World and it will last forever
We have a clear paint of it in Revelation 21
21:9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."
21:10 And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,......
21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
The altar, the High Priest and the scrifice are the same: Christ
This church, if imitated too much, it becames the Church of the "already Saints"

The Visible Church started at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit arrived one it, and it will last till the return of Christ.
1Cor10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
The altar if the stone altar we find in the Church-buildings, the priests are the successors of the Apostoles, the sacrifice is the Blood and the Body of Christ (the Eucharist)
This church, if imitated too much, it becames the Church of the "bishops"

The Personal Church started at your baptism, and it will last till, in the heaven, you will be in Christ and Christ in you ( John 4:20)
Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your rational worship.
1Peter 2:5 and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own;
So here the temple is your heart, your body, the priest is yourself (priesthod of all believers), the sacrifices are you good deeds , your prayer, your crosses
This church, if imitated too much, it becames the Church of the "ascetic life"

A good christian life includes all these three churches, in a equal balance.