Bible Truth FAQs
WHEN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST WAS ESTABLISHED
In Matt. 16:18 Jesus promised to build his church. Many prophecies pointed to the occasion, but the prophecy of Dan. 2 showed that it would occur during the rule of the Roman Empire, the last of four world-ruling powers represented by the great image of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream interpreted by Daniel.
The promise by Christ was for "my church" --singular in number and his by ownership. John the Baptist came preaching, "The Kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). Christ and his disciples did likewise (Matt. 10:7). After Jesus had ascended back to the Father in heaven, it was recorded in Acts 2:47 that the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Prior to this the church was always in the future. At this point the church was in reality. The year was A.D. 33. The place: Jerusalem.
Catholicism was yet unknown for some six centuries. The first of literally hundreds of denominations was established as late as the 17th century. A vital question becomes apparent: To which church did the Lord add the saved in Acts 2:47? It could not have been the Roman church or any of the denominations because they were not in existence. It was the church of Christ, the only church then in existence and the only church you can read about in the Bible.
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