THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

THE KEY:  SPIRIT BAPTISM

The key passage on Spirit baptism is found in:  1 Corinthians 12:13 - "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."  The "one Body" spoken of in this verse refers to the Church and Christ is the Head of this body [See: 1 Cor. 12:27-28; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:30-32; Col. 1:18].  "Spirit baptism" is defined as the work of God whereby believers are baptized (immersed, placed) into Christ’s Body, the Church.  So, the key to when the Church began can determine by when Spirit baptism first began.  When did the Lord first baptize believers into His body?

Spirit baptism was first predicted by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11 - "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:  but He that comes after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:  He shall baptize you with the Holy (Spirit), and with fire."  [See: Mark 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn. 1:33].

In Matthew 16:18, the Lord Jesus said, "I will build My Church."  The future tense of the verb indicates that the building of the Church had not yet begun.  He did not say, "I am building My Church."   In Acts 1:5, the Lord Jesus predicted that Spirit baptism was still future:  "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy (Spirit) not many days hence."  According to our Lord’s prediction, Spirit baptism had not yet taken place, but that it would happen soon, in a matter of a few days.  Indeed, as we shall learn, it happened just ten days later on the Day of Pentecost.

The Day of Pentecost, and the unique events which took place on that day, are described in Acts Chapter Two.  Although Spirit baptism is not specifically mentioned, Acts Chapter Eleven tells us that Spirit baptism took place on the Day of Pentecost:  Acts 11:15-16 reads:  "And as I began to speak, the Holy (Spirit) fell on them, as on us at the beginning.  Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy (Spirit)."  Based on the clear statement of this passage we know that Spirit baptism first took place on the Day of Pentecost.  It was then that believers were first placed into the Body of Christ.  It was then that the Church began.  This can be clearly seen from Acts 2:47 - "...the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved."  Today, Christ is still building His Church!

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST?

BY BELIEVING JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES,

THAT HE WAS BURIED, AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY,

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES!