Ask almost anyone who professes Christianity, from master theologians with lots of letters behind their names to us common laypeople in the pews, when the church was born and they will tell you that the birth of the church was on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts, chapter 2. However, there are some who will tell you that the church began with Paul’s conversion (Acts 9), when he began his first missionary journey (Acts 13), or while he was in prison (Acts 28),. We won’t get into the reasons for the mid to late Acts positions in this article, suffice it to say that it can get rather complicated.

I’ve never really understood exactly why any time other than the Day of Pentecost is even considered as the birthday of the church, because it seems to be quite clear in the text of Acts, chapter 2, verses 41 – 47. Here is that passage:

“⁴¹Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. ⁴²And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴And all that believed were together, and had all things common; ⁴⁵And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. ⁴⁶And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, ⁴⁷Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:41-47, KJV)

That passage describes the response of many of those in the mostly Jewish crowd who listened to the Apostle Peter’s sermon after the Holy Spirit had come and filled the disciples and Apostles of Jesus who had been praying in an upper room in Jerusalem.

We are told that there were some who heard Peter preach that “gladly received his word and were baptized.” What word was that? Well, they had just heard Peter’s reveal some rather startling (to put it mildly) news!:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (v 36)

Peter had told them that they had killed their promised Messiah! No doubt, some must have been angry at that accusation, however there were some who, when realizing exactly what they had done, responded quite differently:

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (v37)

Peter’s instruction:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (v 38)

Then comes Luke’s (the author of Acts) concluding remarks about the day’s activities, followed by a description of how those who ‘repented and were baptized’ continued going about their lives as newly born Christian believers.

The answer to our main question, “When did the church begin?” can easily be answered by revisiting just two verses:

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls ^47bAnd the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:41-42b)

To whom does the “them” in v.41 refer? None other than those who “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Then we are told in v. 47 that more people were being saved and were added to the same company of those who were “continued steadfastly”, and were called the church!

So if you are ever challenged about the birth of the Christian church, you can just point Acts, chapter 2, and specifically only two verses, Acts 2:41-42!

Can it possible be any clearer that the birthday of the church was in the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in the 2d chapter of Acts? I think not.

Sadly, there are those who would rather cling to teachings developed by mere mortals in the 19^th century – undisputable facts of history, than the actual text of scripture, all the while telling us that they only use and trust the Bible! All I can suggest to that is, “We believe what we WANT to believe?”