Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Part Three of Three – Baptist Historical Biblical Position – B. The church not founded at Pentecost

Thomas E Kresal Admin · 1 hr November 21, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Part Three of Three – Baptist Historical Biblical Position – B. The church not founded at Pentecost

No institution was founded on the day of Pentecost. Those who teach the Pentecostal origin of the church use three sets of Scriptures: (1) The ones that mention Pentecost but say nothing of the church, (2) The ones that mention the church but say nothing of Pentecost, and (3) The ones that say nothing about either. The case cannot be made out by that sort of proof.

A Compendium

The Scriptures reveal that Christ founded His church during His earthly ministry. Here are some pointed facts concerning the existence of the church before Pentecost:

19. Christ had a kingdom while He was upon earth (John 18:36). The church was co-existent with the kingdom. The first church was Christ’s kingdom established upon earth.

20. The elements of the kingdom were in existence then. (a) There had to be a king. Christ declared He was King (John 18:27). (b) There had to be subjects. His disciples were His subjects. (c) There had to be laws. Christ’s commands were His laws. (d) There had to be a territory. The world was the territory (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). During Christ’s ministry the world of operation was limited.

21. The kingdom was preached from John the Baptist’s day, and men pressed into it (Luke 16:16). How could people press into something that did not exist?

22. Some were hindered from entering the kingdom (Matthew 23:13).

23. The kingdom suffered violence (Matthew 11:12).

24. Jesus declared that the kingdom was in existence (Luke 17:21). “The kingdom of God is within you,” that is, “among (Greek, entos) you.”

25. Jesus expressed no doubt of the kingdom’s existence (Luke 11:20).

26. Christ rebuked people for not repenting and entering the kingdom (Matthew 21:31-32). Would it be reasonable, if a father should rebuke his son for not entering a house, when there was no house in existence? Jesus said the publicans and harlots, repenting and believing, “go into the kingdom of God before you” (the critical Jews).

27. In fulfillment of prophecy Jesus sang in the church which He had built (Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12; Matthew 26:31). The church had to exist in order for Him to sing in her.

Thomas E. Kresal from – “Studies in Baptist Doctrine and Histories” by D. N. Jackson; Lesson Three: Origin and Identity of the Church