The beginning of a New Testament Church

By Edwin Jardinel
jesusgroup2Many people are confused about the beginning of the Lord's church. There are many who teach that the church was started at the time of Pentecost, during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 2. While others say that it was at the time of Adam or at Christ’s death. Such human concepts about the beginning of the Lord’s church are erroneous. There are many Biblical proofs that the Lord’s church was founded during Christ's personal earthly ministry.

Q.1
Did Christ have a congregation of baptized believers during His earthly ministry? *

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
(Acts 1:21-22)

Q.2
When did this congregation of baptized believers begin? *

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
(Acts 1:21-22)

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
(Matthew 3:13)

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
(Matthew 4:17-20)

Q.3
Who baptized the first disciples of Jesus Christ before they started following Him? *

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
(Matthew 3:1-3)

Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
(John 1:35-37)

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
(John 1:40-42)

Q.4
Did Christ call out baptized disciples during His earthly ministry? *

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
(Matthew 4:17-22)

Q.5
Did Christ teach the disciples He called out? *

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
(Matthew 5:1-12)

Q.6
Who is the founder of the church in the New Testament? *

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:18)

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 3:11)

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
(Ephesians 2:20)

Q.7
Jesus had already ascended to heaven before Pentecost. If the church was founded during Pentecost, then who will come out as the founder of the church? *

Q.8
Since Jesus said "I will build my church" in Matthew 16: 18, then who is the founder of the church? *

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Matthew 16:17-18)

Q.9
Did Christ teach church discipline during His earthly ministry? *

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(Matthew 18:15-18)

Q.10
If an erring member would not repent after he was personally corrected and even after a second step was made for some brethren to deal with him, then where or to whom should the matter be finally brought up? *

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(Matthew 18:17-18)

Q.11
Can the first disciples tell a church about a problem if there was no church existing at that time? *

Q.12
Can they understand what church was Christ referring to if there was no New Testament church existing at that time? *

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Matthew 18:17)