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What was the New Testament Christian church like? When did it start?
The New Testament Christian church began in the hearts of the disciples as they were convinced that Jesus' death was not the end. It was a resurrection faith. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve."
Deepening these convictions was the Pentecost experience. The second chapter of Acts recounts the day when the Holy Spirit filled all who were together in one place. They were able to witness to God-fearing Jews, and about three thousand people accepted Peter's message that he preached concerning salvation. They became part of the number of believers that day.
Acts 2:42-47 describes the aftermath of Pentecost, the beginning of the New Testament Christian Church. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
This shows that the New Testament Christian church began with personal transformation and like-minded association. There was devotion to teaching, coming together in fellowship, eating together, and praying. They were in awe of what God could do, and God was able to work through the apostles in a great way. The believers made sure that no one lacked for what they needed as they pooled their resources to help those who were in need. They met in the temple courts and met in each other's homes for meals and for praising God. The New Testament Christian Church made a wonderful impression on the people in their society. Their numbers grew as people believed in the saving message through their witness by word and deed.
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