Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Historic Baptist Position – The church not founded at Pentecost – PART ONE OF THREE

Thomas E Kresal

Admin · Yesterday at 8:52 AM

November 19, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Historic Baptist Position

B. The church not founded at Pentecost – PART ONE OF THREE

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:

1. Jesus was Lord and Master (John 13:14).

2. Jesus was Head (John 13:14; Mark 12:10).

3. Jesus was King (John 18:37).

4. Jesus was the Shepherd (John 10:14).

5. The Shepherd had a flock (Luke 12:32). Paul called the flock the church (Acts 20:28).

6. There was a company which had been in existence from the baptism of John the Baptist (Acts 1:21). That company was the church (Acts 2:47).

7. Jesus had all power, so He did not have to wait until Pentecost to receive power (John 3:35; 10:18; Matthew 28:18).

8. Power was exercised by the Lord’s disciples (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1).

According to the latter reference the disciples were given both power and authority. They were to receive additional power on the day of Pentecost in order to meet the needs arising at that time — power to speak in other tongues, to witness to multitudes assembled from seventeen nations at Jerusalem, and power to inaugurate a world-wide mission program (Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-18). Prior to that time the church had operated under a limited commission (Matthew 10:15).

To Be Continued

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