Introduction:

I. Definitions.

A. Origin: Coming into existence or use; beginning.

B. Church

1. Greek word for "church" is ekkiesia.

a. Word means "called out."

b. People (Acts 8:3).

2. To understand what the church is, must understand the nature of call.

a. By God (Phil. 3:13-14).

b. From sin (Eph. 5:22-27).

c. By the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14).

d. In obedience (Rom. 6:17-18).

II. Not discussing the origin of men's churches - they will come in later lessons. This lesson is the origin of the Lord's church (Matt. 16:18).

Discussion:

I. The origin of the Lord's church can be determined by an examination of prophecy.

A. The Savior promised.

1. Seed promised.

a. Gen. 3:15.

b. Gen. 22:18; 21:12.

c. Mal. 1:2-3 (Rom. 9:13).

d. Gen. 49:10.

e. Psa. 132:11.

2. Note Matthew's lineage - Abraham to Christ (Matt. 1).

B. Christ's rule over his people is promised.

1. The kingdom to be established:

a. Dan. 2:44.

b. Dan. 7:13-14.

c. Matt. 3:1-2.

d. Matt. 16:18-19.

e. Mk. 9:1.

f. Lk. 24:46-49.

g. Acts 1:8.

2. Climax - Acts 2.

II. Can be determined by the composition of the church.

A. Note again the meaning of the word "church" "people called out of sin in obedience to the gospel of Christ."

1. 2 Thess. 2:14.

2. Rom. 1:16.

3. 1 Pet. 1:23.

4. Jas. 1:27.

5. Mk. 16:15-16.

6. 2 Tim.1:8-10.

B. What is the gospel?

1. 1 Pet. 1:22-23.

2. Of what composed?

a. Facts to be believed (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

b. Commands to be obeyed (Rom. 10:16; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rom. 6:11-18; 1 Pet. 4:17).

c. Promises to be trusted (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 5:32; 2 Pet. 1:10-11).

C. For the church to be established there had to be:

1. Facts to be believed.

2. Commands to obey.

3. Promises to be trusted.

D. First time these factors all present - Day of Pentecost, Acts 2!

III. Can be determined by its purchase price.

A. Bought by the precious blood of Christ.

1. Acts 20:28.

2. Eph. 5:23-27.

B. What did the blood literally purchase?

1. 1 Pet. 2:5 (1 Tim. 3:15).

2. 1 Pet. 1:18-19.

C. The blood was shed on the cross and after Jesus was dead (Jn. 19:31-37).

1. Church could not have been established in the days of Abraham, David or even John the baptist - no "money" yet with which to purchase it.

2. Church was not established during personal ministry of Christ - blood not yet shed.

3. On Day of Pentecost, people were told how to reach the blood. The church had its origin.

Conclusion

1. All three lines of argument have their apex in the day of Pentecost.

2. This is the birthday of the Lord's church.

3. Serious question for you - have you obeyed the gospel? Have you had your sins washed away in his blood?

4. These questions are the same as asking, are you a member of the Lord's church?

Guardian of Truth XXXII: 7, p. 204
April 7, 1988