The Church was predicted by the prophets of the Old Testament (Isa. 2:2,3; Dan 2:44) as well as by Jesus, Himself. (Mat. 16:18) Jesus told His apostles that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit to guide them into the truth. (Luke 24:49; John 16:13; Acts 1:4-8) The apostles received this power on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and the church was formed by those who believed the message, repented, and were baptized. (Acts 2:38,41,47) Contrary to modern day use of the term, "church" refers to the people of God, not to the building in which those people assemble. The Lord adds people to His church when they obey His word.
| Matthew 16:18,19 |
[Jesus says] "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I
will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven." |
| Luke 24:49 |
[Jesus says to the Apostles] "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of
Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." |
| John 16:13 |
[Jesus says to the apostles] "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all
truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come." |
| Acts 1:5,8 |
[Jesus says to the Apostles] "For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy
Spirit not many days from now....But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you [the apostles]
shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
end of the earth." |
| Acts 2:1-4 |
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon
each of them. And they [the apostles (see Acts 1:2,5,26 and Acts 2:1,14,43)] were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. |
| Acts 2:37-39 |
[Peter just preached a sermon about Jesus to the multitude] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and
the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your
children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." |
| Acts 2:41-43 |
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three
thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in
prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs
were done through the apostles. |
| Acts 2:47 |
...And the Lord added to the
church daily those who were being saved. |
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