Laws Publishing
THE FIRST CHURCH
OF CHRIST (1)
ACTS 2:42
|
|
|
When you travel into any city or town, you will eventually pass by a sign in front of a church building that reads The First “Something” Church. For instance, it might be the First Baptist Church, or the sign might read The First Methodist Church, or something similar. All of us have read these signs and recall this experience. Sometimes when asked, “Where do you go to church,” someone responds, “I go to First Baptist.” The word “First” preceding the denomination’s name simply means it was the first of that denomination to be established in that town. Sometimes, you will see second or even third before a denominational name, which indicates it was the second or the third denominational congregation to be established in that location. However, when Christians refer to “The First Church of Christ,” they have something entirely different in mind. What they mean is the very first congregation of the Lord that has ever existed anywhere and not just in that location. So, take a moment to continue reading, as I explain the distinction between “first” denominational churches in your town and the “first church of Christ.” What was it like, and where was it established? |
|
|
|
The first church of Christ, and in fact the first church, consisted completely of Jews. These Jews had believed that Jesus was the Son of God, confessed that faith, and had penitently submitted to water baptism on the day of Pentecost. Actually, there were about 3,000 Israelites baptized for the remission of their sins, into Christ, and into this first church on the same day. This was the first church of Christ. It is hard for us to visualize 3,000 members were added to this church the very first day (remember the Gentiles did not come into the church, until Peter preached the gospel to them in Acts 10). What was the first church to do? What activities were important? There were no established customs, except the Old Jewish traditions, but these were not to be imposed on this newly-formed congregation. The apostles did not waste any time getting organized. They immediately set in order the essential things. Acts 2:42 tell us exactly what these things were: “and they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and prayers.” The first church of Christ continued in the apostles’ doctrine or teaching. They knew something many people have not learned today, that is, Jesus taught the truth while he was here on this earth, but he had not taught all the truths applicable to the church. They knew, while Jesus was still on earth, He had delegated his authority to the apostles and promised to reveal all truth to them. In John16: 12-13 Jesus stated, “I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth…” Jesus plainly showed it was not his intention to teach all the truth, while here on the earth. Rather, He said the apostles would learn “all truth,” when the Holy Spirit came on them. The Holy Spirit descended on the apostles on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two. Beginning on that day the first church rightly depended on the apostles’ teaching. From that day until this the church has bound itself by that same doctrine, the doctrine of Christ and the apostles. Paul taught the church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). Today, if we would follow Jesus and be like the first church of Christ, we too must also follow the teachings of inspired apostles, as they are revealed in the New Testament. Therefore, the first great pillar the first church was established upon was the apostle’s doctrine. To build a church today without this pillar is to build a denomination, a church built on sinking sand. continue |
