When Did The Church Start

The Church Would Be Established in the Future

Jesus declared that He would build the church, "I will" indicates a future construction that will take place.

Mat 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The definition of "οἰκοδομέω" per Thayer "1) to build a house, erect a building, 1a) to build (up from the foundation)", or 2) metaphorically - 2a) to found, establish".

The indication here is that Jesus will "establish" and "erect a building", the church, as the "house builder", "up from the foundation".

If the church already existed in Jesus's time, then Jesus would not have been the builder "up from the foundation". The idea that Jesus "establishes" the church, and indicates a future event shows that He is talking about a future construction "up from the foundation".

The church did not already exist when Jesus stated He would build the church, Jesus is the one who would establish it.

The Church is the Body of Christ

Paul as the expounder of the mystery kingdom reveals that the church is the "Body of Christ". When scripture refers to the Body of Christ, it is talking about the "church". The two terms are synonymous. The church is the Body of Christ. This is well stated by Paul:

Eph 1:22-23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

The Spirit Baptizes Us Into The Church

The church / Body of Christ is formed through spirit baptism. As spirit baptism occurs, the church is constructed.

1Co 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body--whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

The Spirit Would Not Come Until Pentecost

Jesus makes it clear that the Spirit would not come, and therefore construction of the church would not begin until He went away. As long as Jesus remained, and the Advocate would not come, and spirit baptism would not occur. John 16 refers to the Holy Spirit coming in John's future:

Joh 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Joh 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Jesus instructs the disciples telling them that the Holy Spirit would come in "a few days". He tells them that in "a few days" they would receive power "when the Holy Spirit comes". He tells them that they will be "baptized with the Holy Spirit", on the day we know as Pentecost.

Act 1:4-5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (5) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

The church would be marked with "power" from Pentecost on.

Act 1:8-9 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (9) After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

The Spirit Came at Pentecost

True to His word, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit who indwelt those in the upper room of the house they were in. It is only then that the Spirit would baptize believers into the church / Body of Christ, and the church would be established.

Act 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (2) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Peter also shows that the people who would become the church as the body of Christ were only baptized after the Spirit had come.

Act 2:16-17 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Conclusion

Jesus taught that he "will" build the church in His future. The construction of the church would not begin until the Holy Spirit baptized people into the church / Body of Christ. Spirit baptism would not start until the Spirit was sent by Jesus to His people after His Ascension. True to His word, 50 days after the Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came to the upper room and baptized the first 120 members of the church / Body of Christ, and the church was established. Peter confirmed this beginning by comparing the baptism of the Spirit with Joel's prophecy, indicating that it had just started.

Act 2:16-18 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (18) Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.