A11.4 – ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH

1. The existence of the Church was foretold in the Old Testament, Micah 4:1-3

2. The Church came into existence according to the eternal purpose of God, Eph 3:9-11

3. Some people believe that the Church started when God promised Adam and Eve that the Seed of the woman would bruise the head of the Serpent, Gen 3:15

4. Some people believe that the Church started when God entered into a covenant with Abraham, Gen 12:1-2; Gen 15:18

5. Some people believe that the Church started when John the Baptist started baptizing people at River Jordan, Matt 3:1-2, 5-8

6. Some people believe that the Church started when Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ and Jesus first pronounced the word ‘Church’ Matt 16:18

7. Some people believe that the Church started with the institution of the Lord’s supper, Mt 26:19-20

8. Some people believe that the Church started on the first Sunday after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, John 20:21-22

9. Some people believe the Church started at the conversion of apostle Paul since he was the most famous New Testament apostle, Acts 9:3-6

10. Some people believe that the Church started when Jesus Christ chose the twelve apostles, Matt 10:1

11. The most acceptable view on the origin of the Church is that the Church started at Pentecost, when the disciples first received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, after Jesus ascended into heaven, Acts 2:1-4