When Did the Church Begin?
The church began on the day of Pentecost shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven. Pentecost was an established Jewish holiday celebrated 50 days after Passover. Many Jews from all over the Roman Empire had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers, and the church was established.
The book of Acts records the events of that day in Acts chapter 2. Verses 1-4 describe the coming of the Holy Spirit:
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 ESV)
The miraculous signs drew a crowd, wondering what was happening. Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, stood up and preached the gospel to them. In his sermon, he explained how Jesus had been crucified and raised from the dead, and how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (Acts 2:14-36).
Many who heard Peter’s words were convicted and asked what they should do. Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 ESV). About 3,000 people accepted Jesus and were baptized that day (Acts 2:41). These converts were the beginning of the early church.
Several key things happened on the day of Pentecost:
1. The Holy Spirit descended upon the believers, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness and perform miracles.
2. Peter preached the first gospel sermon, proclaiming Jesus as the risen Savior.
3. Many people repented of their sins and believed in Jesus for salvation.
4. The first converts were baptized and added to the church.
5. The apostles taught the new disciples and fellowshipped together, laying the foundation for the Christian community (Acts 2:42).
So Pentecost was the birthday of the church. The Spirit’s coming birthed a new redeemed community of believers. This fledgling church began meeting together, studying the apostles’ teaching, sharing meals, and praying together. It quickly grew as more people were saved each day (Acts 2:46-47).
The pouring out of the Spirit transformed Peter and the other believers from a scared, weak group into empowered, bold witnesses for Jesus. The miracle of Pentecost enabled the gospel to spread rapidly. Every believer was immediately equipped for ministry by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit gave them holy lives, spiritual gifts, and a passion to spread the Word.
The book of Acts shows how the Spirit propelled the gospel forward from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The apostle Paul and others planted many churches throughout the Roman world. These new churches were united by their common faith in Christ and their shared experience of the Spirit, despite being scattered geographically.
So the church began at Pentecost when the power of the Holy Spirit descended upon believers in Jerusalem. The Spirit’s coming fulfilled Jesus’ promise to empower His followers to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). The early church was characterized by sound doctrine, active fellowship, joyful worship, fervent prayer, and care for the needy (Acts 2:42-47). With the Spirit’s help, the church courageously preached the gospel and made disciples, despite persecution. The book of Acts shows how the Spirit sovereignly worked through the early Christians to grow Christ’s church and spread the Word.
Some key dates and events in the early church:
c. A.D. 30 – Day of Pentecost – The church is born in Jerusalem.
c. A.D. 34-35 – Paul’s conversion – Persecutor Paul is converted and begins to preach for Christ.
A.D. 49 – Jerusalem Council – Church leaders decide Gentile believers don’t need to follow Jewish law.
c. A.D. 50-100 – Earliest New Testament writings penned.
A.D. 64-68 – Persecution under Nero – Roman emperor violently persecutes Christians after blaming them for the fire in Rome.
A.D. 70 – Destruction of the Temple – Romans destroy the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
c. A.D. 90 – John writes Revelation – While in exile, John receives this prophetic vision for the church.
c. A.D. 95 – John writes his gospel – Last of the four gospels to be written. Focuses on Jesus’ divine identity.
c. A.D. 150 – Justin Martyr’s First Apology – Early church father defends Christianity to Roman emperor.
The early church endured periods of intense persecution but continued to grow rapidly. Christian writings from the second century show that churches were established in most major cities of the Roman Empire by the early 100s. By the third century, Christians were even meeting openly. Persecution eventually declined as Christianity was legalized and even endorsed by Roman emperors.
Despite hardship, the faithful preaching of the apostles and evangelism of average Christians led to astonishing growth. The power of the Spirit accounted for the success of the gospel even amid hostile paganism. The New Testament church effectively fulfilled Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). Over three centuries, Christianity transformed from a small Messianic sect in Jerusalem into the dominant religion of the Roman world.
While the early church wasn’t perfect, it prominently displayed key truths found in Scripture-Salvation by grace through faith, new life in Christ, transformation by the Spirit, and love for God and others. The examples of early Christian endurance, purity, and community still inspire believers today. Through the Spirit’s power, the church multiplied rapidly to spread the light of Christ to all nations.
Some key passages about the origins and growth of the early church include:
Acts 2 – The Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost in Jerusalem. Peter preaches, 3,000 are saved.
Acts 8:1-4 – Church scatters after Stephen’s martyrdom, evangelizing everywhere.
Acts 9 – The conversion of Saul/Paul, from persecutor to preacher.
Acts 10-11 – Peter preaches to Gentiles, the church reaches beyond the Jews.
Acts 15 – The Jerusalem Council decides Gentiles don’t need to keep the Jewish law.
Acts 16-20 – Paul’s missionary journeys to spread the gospel in Asia Minor and Greece.
Acts 28 – Paul reaches Rome and preaches the kingdom under house arrest.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 – Commends their imitation of Christ while enduring persecution.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – Unity in Christ despite diversity, all baptized by one Spirit.
Galatians 2:9-10 – Apostles endorse Paul’s ministry to Gentiles.
Ephesians 2:19-22 – Church described as God’s household, built on the gospel.
Philippians 1:3-11 – Thankful for their partnership and prayer in spreading the gospel.
Colossians 1:3-8 – Reports their bearing fruit in good works since hearing the gospel.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 – Affirms their perseverance and faith in persecutions.
1 Timothy 3:14-16 – Writes to instruct Timothy on conducting himself in God’s household, the church.
Titus 1:1-5 – Charges Titus to appoint elders and set things in order.
1 Peter 1:22 – Love one another earnestly from your obedience to the truth.
2 Peter 1:3-8 – His divine power gives us everything for life and godliness.
1 John 1:3 – Declares what was seen and heard so they can have fellowship.
Jude 3-4 – Contend for the faith delivered once for all to the saints.
3 John 6-8 – They will send missionaries out in a worthy manner.
Revelation 2-3 – Messages from Jesus to seven churches in Asia Minor.
The book of Acts and the New Testament epistles testify to the Spirit-empowered beginnings of Christ’s church. From Pentecost onward, the gospel was unstoppable, transforming hearts and lives throughout the Roman world. Despite struggle and martyrdom, the early Christians remained faithful. They embodied the truth that the church is the people of God, a community birthed by the Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ. Through the preaching of the Word, the saving power of the cross, and the unifying love of the Spirit, the Lord added daily to His church.