Jesus Himself Started His Church

5575 BARGER DRIVE

 

From the beginning of time, the church existed in the mind of Christ.  Early in His ministry on earth, Jesus, after a night of prayer, called out 12 disciples and made them apostles.  We have the record in Luke 6:13: “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.”

The church became a visible body with Jesus as its head and the apostles as its first members.  In Ephesians 5:23, we read, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”

In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul, in giving the order in which Jesus established His Church, tells us that the Apostles became the first members.

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles . . .”

This bizarre assortment of men included four fishermen, one publican, a zealot, and men of who knows what other backgrounds.  They had one thing in common.  They were all followers of Jesus and members of His body, the church.  They had all been baptized by John and Jesus had validated their baptism when He placed them in His church.

Even though Judas was only a pretender, he was counted an equal with the others until he fell from his bishopric and betrayed Jesus

Though Scripture usually refers to the apostles as the “Twelve Disciples,” in many places shortened to “The Twelve,” they clearly were the Church that Jesus founded.  They followed Jesus wherever He went and it was to them that He directed his teaching ministry, Matthew 5:1-2, 11:1.

When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper following the observance of Passover, there were none with Him except the 12 disciples (Matthew 26:18-20).

Judas, having betrayed Jesus, hanged himself, reducing the number to 11.  It was to this 11 that Jesus gave the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20.

 

 

 

 

 

PROPHECY FORESAW JESUS

IN HIS CHURCH

In Psalm 22:22, David records the prophecy in which he quotes Jesus saying “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.”

That he had reference to the church is verified in Hebrews 2:11-12: “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”

The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in Matthew 26:30 in connection with the institution of the Lord’s Supper: “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

 

THE CHURCH WAS

AUTHORIZED TO RESOLVE

DISPUTES

Jesus also declared the church to be the final authority in resolving disputes among brethren, Matthew 18:15-17.  This would have been extremely hard for the disciples to understand had they not been aware that they were a part of an already existing church.

 

JESUS TAUGHT THE

APOSTLES DOCTRINE

Though the church had not yet been commissioned, nor empowered, it was clearly present during Jesus’ personal ministry on earth.  It was a learning time in which the church was taught personal conduct (Matthew 5) and the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).  From Jesus they received the Apostles’ doctrine in which they continued steadfastly after being empowered at Pentecost (Acts 2:42).

Paul told the Ephesians Church in Ephesians 2:20-22 that they were “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

 

JESUS ASCENDED FROM THE PRESENCE OF HIS CHURCH

At the time of His ascension, Jesus instructed His church: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” (Luke 24:49-53)

For the next 10 days, this little group, accompanied by family and friends, spent their time in prayer and supplication.  They held a business meeting to replace Judas and restore the number of apostles to 12, and they were all present when the Day of Pentecost arrived.

There is no Scriptural indication that any church was organized on Pentecost.  Instead, the already commissioned Church was empowered on that day to carry the gospel, to all the world.