The Church Age refers to the period of time between Pentecost (when the church was established in Acts 2) and the Rapture (when the church will be removed from the earth). This age covers the expansion and development of the church throughout history, as believers spread the gospel message around the world.
The Beginning of the Church Age
The Church Age began in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. Empowered by the Spirit, Peter preached the gospel and 3,000 people were saved that day (Acts 2:41). The early church experienced rapid growth as the apostles continued preaching, performing signs and wonders, and writing Scripture (Acts 2:47). The expansion of the church fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy that the gospel would spread beyond Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Key events at the birth of the Church Age include:
– The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on believers (Acts 2:1-4)
– Peter’s sermon and 3,000 responding in faith (Acts 2:14-41)
– The apostles performing miraculous signs and wonders (Acts 2:43)
– Believers meeting together, studying Scripture, taking communion, praying (Acts 2:42, 46-47)
– Sharing possessions, ministering to the needy (Acts 2:44-45)
– Praising God, feeling awe and reverence (Acts 2:43)
– The Lord adding to their number daily (Acts 2:47)
The church was born and empowered to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). All believers were included in Christ’s body regardless of ethnicity, gender or social status (Galatians 3:28).
Main Events During the Church Age
For 2,000 years, the church has undergone challenges and changes, yet the central gospel message remains unchanged. Here are some key developments:
– The conversion of Saul, persecutor of the church, to the Apostle Paul, great missionary-theologian of the faith (Acts 9)
– The Council of Jerusalem – settled conflict about requiring circumcision, established salvation by grace (Acts 15)
– Paul’s missionary journeys to spread the gospel across the Roman Empire (Acts 13-20)
– Persecution of the early church by Jewish leaders and Roman authorities (Acts 4-7)
– Emergence of bishops and deacons as church leaders (1 Timothy 3)
– Early church fathers like Clement, Polycarp, Justin Martyr defending and interpreting Scripture
– Emperor Constantine legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire (313 AD)
– Key church councils like Nicea (325 AD) and Chalcedon (451 AD) clarifying orthodox doctrine
– Monastic movements spreading as Christians sought holy living (4th century onward)
– The fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD)
– Missionary expansion into northern Europe by Patrick and other pioneers
– Preservation of Scripture and theology through the Middle Ages
– The East-West Schism dividing church authority (1054 AD)
– The Crusades attempted to reclaim the Holy Land (1095-1291 AD)
– The Protestant Reformation restoring focus on Scripture alone (16th century)
– Renewed missionary expansion across the Americas, Africa and Asia (16th-21st centuries)
– The Azusa Street Revival and birth of Pentecostalism (1906 AD)
– The global charismatic movement and growth of independent churches (mid-20th century)
– Advance of the church in China, Africa, and other developing nations (late 20th century)
Characteristics of the Church Age
Despite changing cultural conditions over two millennia, key aspects have defined the Church Age:
– Proclaiming salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)
– Bearing witness to Jesus’ resurrection and promises of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
– Believers united by the Holy Spirit into one body: the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
– Baptism and communion instituted as Christian ordinances (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
– Elders providing spiritual leadership to local churches (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5)
– Fulfilling the Great Commission by evangelizing the world (Matthew 28:19-20)
– Planting new churches to make disciples in all nations (Acts 14:21-23)
– Settling doctrinal challenges at key councils (Acts 15; Nicea, 325 AD)
– Preserving the Bible and translating it into common languages
– Enduring persecution and struggle while awaiting Christ’s return (2 Timothy 3:12)
– Expressing itself in diverse church denominations and movements
– Maintainingvigilance for false gospels and apostasy (Galatians 1:6-9)
– Calling all believers to holiness, service, self-sacrifice (Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:23)
Premillennial Views of the Church Age
Premillennialism is the view that Christ will return to earth before (pre-) establishing His 1,000 year millennial kingdom. Two main premillennial perspectives on the Church Age include:
Dispensational Premillennialism
– Sees a clear distinction between Israel and the church (two separate people groups)
– Believes God has two separate redemptive plans for Israel and the church
– The church was a mystery until revealed in the New Testament
– The Church Age is a “parenthesis” or interruption in God’s dealings with Israel
– God’s prophetic clock for Israel stopped at Christ’s first coming and will resume at the Rapture
– The imminent, any-moment Rapture ends the Church Age
Historic Premillennialism
– Sees more continuity between Israel and the church (one redeemed people)
– The church is the new Israel, the fulfillment of Old Testament promises
– The Church Age is not a “parenthesis” but a key part of God’s redemptive plan
– Prophecies about Israel often refer typologically to the church
– The Tribulation may occur within Church Age rather than following it
– Rapture may not be as imminent; the church will experience tribulation
The Rapture and the End of the Church Age
Almost all premillennialists believe the Church Age will conclude with the Rapture of the church. Key aspects include:
– The Rapture is when living believers are “caught up” to meet Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
– The church will be removed from earth before the outpouring of God’s wrath in the Tribulation period (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9)
– Only true born-again believers will be included in the Rapture (John 3:3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53)
– The Rapture is imminent – it could occur at any time without preceding signs (Matthew 24:36-44)
– With the church removed, the 70th week of Daniel’s “Seventy Weeks” prophecy resumes for Israel (Daniel 9:24-27)
– The Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation judgments come on an unbelieving world (2 Thessalonians 2:6-12)
– The Rapture includes the resurrection and glorification of dead church-age believers (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
– Living believers receive resurrection bodies and are reunited forever with loved ones who died in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
So the Rapture completes God’s program for the church just before His plan for Israel in the Tribulation is resumed and fulfilled.
Alternative Views of the Church Age’s Duration
Some Christians hold different perspectives on the duration and conclusion of the Church Age:
Postmillennialism
– Believes the Church Age will extend for an indefinite period until the world is Christianized
– The progress of the gospel will gradually usher in the millennium through centuries of expansion
– The Rapture occurs after the “millennium,” climaxing gospel victory
Amillennialism
– Sees the Church Age continuing indefinitely until Christ returns
– No future literal 1,000 year millennium; Christ presently rules in the church age
– The Rapture, Tribulation and Second Coming all likely happen in rapid succession at Christ’s future return
– Revelation’s 1,000 years symbolize the church age from start to finish
Partial Preterism
– Believes many prophecies about the “end times” were fulfilled in 70 AD
– The Tribulation occurred when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and its temple
– The Church Age continues on earth alongside Christ’s current millennial reign from heaven
– Views on the future Rapture vary
Practical Implications for Believers
How should a proper understanding of the Church Age shape our lives and priorities as Christians today? Consider the following:
– Have an eternal perspective – this age is only a foretaste of Christ’s coming kingdom (2 Peter 3:13)
– Be ready for Christ’s return at any moment – live with urgency (Matthew 24:42-44)
– Fulfill your role in taking the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20)
– Remain separate from the world’s sinful values and compromised doctrines (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
– Find your place serving in a local church body, using your spiritual gifts (Romans 12:4-8)
– Pray for revival, renewal and awakening until Christ returns (Acts 3:19-21)
– Purify your life through repentance, obedience and the Spirit’s power (Titus 2:11-14)
– Study prophecy and biblical teaching on the end times and future hope (2 Timothy 2:15)
– Maranatha! Live expecting and hastening Christ’s coming (1 Corinthians 16:22)
As this age progresses, we still await its culmination when Christ glorifies His church at the Rapture. Until then, we live empowered by the Spirit with gospel urgency. What an awesome privilege to participate in Christ’s kingdom purposes on earth in these last days! The Church Age will climax in victory and the eternal reign of the Son of God. Even so, come Lord Jesus!