Articles
The Church Jesus Built (4)
The Church Jesus Built (4): Who Are Its Members?
By Mike Willis
The church that Jesus built began on Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. One must look to Scripture to find out how people became members of His church (Acts 2:1-47).
Jesus had told the Twelve Apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4 opens with the Holy Spirit causing three miracles: (a) A sound of a rushing wind; (b) Tongues like fire resting on the Apostles; (c) the ability to speak in languages one had not learned. The wind drew together a large crowd, thousands of people; the tongues resting on the Apostles identified which people to listen to; the speaking of different languages by men who had not learned those languages was a miracle confirming that their words were from God.
While the crowd was perplexed about what was occurring, Peter standing with the Eleven, explained that the events of that day were the fulfillment of the prophecy of the “last days” spoken about in Joel 2:28-32. Having made that announcement Peter preached the gospel: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24).
Peter cited Psalm 16:8-11 which David wrote foretelling the resurrection of the Lord’s messiah and then announced that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the fulfillment of that prophecy. The Apostle announced that all of the Twelve Apostles were witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus and so were the miracles sent by the Holy Spirit on that day of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-33). His conclusion of the sermon was simple: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).
The response of the audience was predictable. Those who had clamored for Jesus to be crucified just fifty days before were pricked in their hearts and said, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:38-39). Three thousand were baptized on that day and began following the teaching of the Apostles, observing the Lord’s supper, sharing funds to help the needy, and praying. These early Christians were “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47, NKJV).
Sinners were saved by the blood of Jesus when they heard the gospel preached, believed it, repented of their sins, and were baptized for the remission of their sins. Paul said to the Corinthians that “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13).
One did not need a vote from a select committee to determine if one was worthy to be baptized into the church. These people were not baptized as a baby and later confirmed as members of the church. They did not have to speak in tongues to show that they had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. No, these people did what the Apostles preached (heard the gospel, believed Peter’s message, repented of their sins, and were baptized in water) and the Lord Himself added them to His church.
Peter said that the same promised blessings are offered to all people. If you have never obeyed the gospel and would like for us to assist you in your obedience to become a member of Jesus’s church, we would be happy to assist you.
