SEMESTER 5
476 – The Church Operating Before Pentecost
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY V LESSON # 76
THE CHURCH OPERATING BEFORE PENTECOST
Read Mat. 28:16-20
, Lk. 24:45-53 and Acts 1:1-26.
INTRODUCTION:
A common error is that the church “universal” began on the Day of Pentecost. I will say little of the ulterior motives of such erroneous teaching, but will rather draw attention to the existence of the Lord’s Church during His earthly lifetime and its operation before the Day of Pentecost.
I. THE COMMISSION AND TEMPORARY RESTRICTION
1. The Lord’s Church had a different responsibility after His ascension than before. Compare Matt. 10:5-6 to Matt. 28:19-20.
2. They were given a commission, but told not to carry it out until after Pentecost. (Luke 24:45-49, Acts 1:1-8)
3. They were not to go home, as unorganized Christians, until they were endowed, but to tarry as a unit in a certain place. (Luke 24:48-49)
II. CHURCH ACTIVITY DURING THIS RESTRICTION
1. They went to a common meeting place and abode, or in some sense remained there. (Acts 1:13)
2. Since this abiding continued for ten days, it is conclusive that they retreated to living quarters and returned daily. (Acts 1:14)
3. There were about 120 in this daily assembly. Does it not bear the marks of a church meeting?
4. They had expositional preaching. (Acts 1:15-22)
5. They conducted church business (Acts 1:21-26)
III. CHRIST GIVING POWER TO THE CHURCH
1. The church was commanded to wait at Jerusalem for this power and then go out. (Luke 24:46-53)
2. On the Day of Pentecost there was no placing in offices, com- missioning, or any such thing.
3. There is not a trace of organizational format or activity seen.
4. What happened to the church was what was promised to them. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8)
5. This was not a selective, personal endowment, received by the most earnest seeker as modern charismatics claim.
6. It was upon them all not individually but corporately. (Acts 2:1-4)
7. This is obviously not the beginning of something but the continuation of and empowering of the Lord's young church.