God Has Only Had One Church

For starters, the men mentioned above were all circumcised Jews who shared a common understanding of Jewish history and culture. They were also frontline workers in the Early Christian Church, and many of them knew one another.

Here’s another thing they had in common: the only Bible they possessed was the 39 books of the Old Testament (OT). When they preached or wrote about the gospel, they referred to the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Law and the Prophets, as their authority. And as they spoke or wrote, diligent students of the same Scriptures checked their messages for authenticity using their OT Bibles.

Maybe you’ve guessed another striking detail about them: together these men contributed to the collection of books now known as the New Testament (NT). In fact, because they belonged to the OT Church as well as the NT Church, they were the sacred bridge between the two eras. But it was always one church—God’s church. And as the light of truth grew brighter in view of Jesus and His fulfillment of the OT prophecies, so also did their understanding of the church’s mission to spread this light. The Jewish church was to expand outward, and in the light of the NT they were to share the story of a risen Savior who officiates in a temple in heaven for all people.

By the way, did you notice that one NT writer wasn’t mentioned in the list above? That writer was Luke—a Gentile convert, a physician, and the beloved traveling companion of the apostle Paul. He is the only Gentile who wrote portions of the NT by authoring two important books: the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. In two volumes, Luke details both the gestation and the delivery of the infant NT church.

Taken as a whole, the Bible is the story of God’s church. It started in Eden with Adam and Eve. After the Fall, it continued through the line of holy men led by Seth. These included Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah.

At one point in this story, the church consisted of every human being alive on the planet—all eight of them! The Flood is an example of how God preserves His church during times of judgment.

From Noah and his descendants the story continues with the call of Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation from whose lineage Jesus, the world’s Messiah, came.

Jesus’ command to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19, NKJV) wasn’t given to start a new church; it was a church growth plan! 

Nonetheless, very Jewish Peter needed divine intervention to grasp the idea that believing Gentiles were now full members of the household of faith. As Peter stood at Roman Cornelius’ door and heard him explain how he had prayed earnestly for more light, Peter couldn’t contain his amazement: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Acts 10:34, 35.

“And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47, NKJV.