How Old Is Christ’s Church?

The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the kingdom Christ would establish would be spiritual (Isa 2:1-4), i.e. it would not be a kingdom that would use carnal weapons (2 Cor 10:4) as was characteristic of the Old Testament kingdom of God—the Nation of Israel. He also said it would be established in the “last days,” and we are now living in the “last days” (Acts 2:16; Heb 1:2). Isaiah further said the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem.

Jesus sent His disciples to tell of His coming kingdom, the church. He said unto them, "And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 10:7). It was “at hand,” meaning soon to come into being. Jesus also said, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste of death till they see the kingdom come with power” (Mark 9:1). Therefore, the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, the church, was to come with power in the generation to whom Jesus spoke.

Jesus told His apostles, "tarry in the City of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Notice what was to come with this power: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (Acts 1:8). The Lord’s kingdom, the church, was to come with power and this power was to come when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles.

This grand event took place in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). The apostles were present (Acts 2:4). "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. A large number heard the gospel, and believed and responded to the conditions for being saved. Then it is stated that "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). The Lord’s church was then a reality.

This particular Pentecost took place in the year AD 33, which means Christ’s church (Matt. 16:18) is almost 2000 years old. Since Christ’s church (his body, Eph 1:22-23) is the only church that Jesus will save (Eph 5:23), why would one want to be a member of a brand new church, or even one that was only 500 years old? God tells us, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalms 127:1).

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org