Standard 8 · Lesson 18
The Formation of the New Testament Church
Lesson Content
While Jesus was on the earth, He told Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt.16:18). In his epistle, Peter writes about this rock as Jesus Himself, a living stone, disallowed of men, but chosen of God and precious. He also says that the Church is a spiritual house comprising lively stones, being built on this stone. He also quotes from the Scripture to say that this corner stone is laid in Zion. In His crucifixion Jesus became the stone which the builders rejected, but after His death, God raised Him up and exalted Him to Zion (I Pet.2:4-7) where He was glorified to be the corner stone for the New Testament Church, and the Head over all things (Eph.1:20-23). In his gospel, John writes that the Holy Spirit was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified (Jn.7:39). After Jesus was glorified and exalted far above all heavens to Zion, He received of the Father, the promise of the Holy Ghost and shed it forth upon about one hundred and twenty persons, comprising both apostles and believers, who were waiting in the upper room (Acts 1:13-15; 2:1-4,33). This happened on the day of Pentecost, i.e., ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven. In the Old Testament, the day of Pentecost was also called the Feast of Weeks (Deut.16:10), the Feast of Harvest (Exo.23:16) and the Day of the Firstfruits (Num.28:26). It was customary for all the Jews from far and wide to gather together in Jerusalem to celebrate this feast. This was the day when the Church was formed. When the disciples were waiting on the day of Pentecost, there came a sound as of a rushing mighty wind. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in other tongues. The Jews who had gathered together to celebrate this feast of Pentecost from about eighteen nations were astonished to hear these Galileans speaking in their own tongues declaring the wonderful works of God. Some mocked at them saying that they were drunk with new wine. It was then that Peter stood up and affirmed that all this happened in fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel which said, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28), and he preached to them about the crucifixion, resurrection and the glorification of Jesus (Acts 2:7-36). The people who heard him were pricked in their hearts and asked Peter and the apostles what they should do. Peter exhorted them to repent and be baptized, in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, adding that they should also separate themselves from the untoward generation. Around three thousand souls gladly received the Word, were baptized, and were added to the Church (Acts 2:37-41). They continued steadfastly in the apsotles’ doctrine, fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayer; and the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:42-47).
Moral
God is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Let us, therefore, repent, be baptized in water, wait in the presence of God and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, abide in the fellowship of the apostles and grow to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Memory Verse
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
I Peter 2:4-6