The Church was born on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-3) around AD 30/31. An event kept “secret” from the OT prophets, but revealed through the Apostle Paul.
Albert Barnes writes that when the Roman general Titus besieged Jerusalem in April AD 70, there were about three million people in the city. Then Jews came from different parts of the Roman empire to celebrate the Jewish Passover. The temple was destroyed and burnt. According to Jewish historian, Josephus, 1.1 million non-combatants died in Jerusalem. The dwelling place of God has moved from the temple of Jerusalem to the Church of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 66:1-2; Acts 7:48; 17:24; 1 Cor 6:19-20).
The word “church” is from the Greek “ekklesia” which comes from two words meaning “called” and “out from and to.”
It can mean an “assembly” or “called out ones” or “congregation.” Christians are “called” (from “kletois”) to be “saints” (hagio or holy) (1 Cor 1:2).
Today, the universal invisible church the Body of Christ or the Bride of Christ or holy temple of God or household of God (1 Cor 12:13; Eph 1:22-23; 2:21; 1 Tim 3:15). Believers of different denominations meet visibly in local churches/assemblies/congregations. Their meeting places need not be in physical church buildings.
The resurrected and ascended Christ Jesus baptizes every believer with (in) one Spirit into one Body (Matt 3:11; Acts 1:5; 11:16; 1 Cor 12:13).
When did the Church Begin? (middletownbiblechurch.org) accessed 29 Sep 2021.
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