TWENTY
PROOFSThat the Church
Existed Prior to
PentecostBy Pastor Greg Wilson (CB)
1. The literal meaning of the word
church (εκκλησια). From εκ,
meaning out and καλεω meaning to
call. Jesus called out His disciples
from the disciples of John early in
His public ministry, forming the
church or called-out assembly (John
1:35-51).2. Christ said He would leave His
"house" on earth when He went on
a "far journey" (ascended back unto
heaven) (Mark 13:31-37). The
church is identified as His "house"
(Heb. 3:1-6; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:
20,21; 1 Cor. 3:16). Christ ascended
prior to Pentecost (Mark 16:19; Acts
1:9-11).3. Christ spoke of His disciples as
a "flock" prior to Pentecost (Luke
12:32; Matt. 26:31,32). The church
is identified as the "flock" of God
(Acts 20:28,29; 1 Pet. 5:2,3).
4. They preached the Gospel prior
to Pentecost (Mark 1:1; 3:14; Matt.
10:14; Luke 10:1-17).5. They had Holy Spirit power
prior to Pentecost (Matt. 10:5,
19,20).6. They baptized prior to Pentecost
(John 4:1,2).7. They received the Lord's
Supper prior to Pentecost (Matt.
26:26; Luke 22:17-20; Mark 14:22-
26).8. They had an ordained ministry
prior to Pentecost (Mark 3:14; cf. 1
Cor. 12:28).9. They had church discipline prior
to Pentecost (Matt. 18:15-17).10. They had Christ as their "head"
prior to Pentecost (John 13:14; cf.
Eph. 1:22,23).
11. They had a membership of 120
prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:15; note,
"names").12. They had a business meeting
and elected officers prior to
Pentecost (Acts 1:15-26).13. They had a treasurer prior to
Pentecost (John 13:29).14. They "added" 3,000 on the day
of Pentecost (Acts 2:41).15. They had the "Great
Commission" prior to Pentecost
(Matt. 28:19,20).16. Christ was "build[ing]" His
church prior to Pentecost (Matt.
16:18).17. They ("us") had been in
existence ("companied with us")
"from the baptism of John" (Acts
1:21,22).
18. The Bridegroom was with His
Bride (the church) prior to Pentecost
(John 3:29; cf. Eph. 5:22-33; 2 Cor.
11:2).19. Christ sang in His church prior
to Pentecost (Mark 14:26; in
fulfillment of Psalm 22:22; see Heb.
2:12).20. There is NO Scripture
anywhere to indicate that the
church began at Pentecost.
Prior to Pentecost they were a
body of baptized believers banded
together to carry out the will of
Jesus Christ.THAT IS A CHURCH!!!