Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 8/9/2008

Question
Why do Baptist do not believe that the church begun at Pentecost? On the other hand, why do Charismatics believe that the church begun at Pentecost? Does it matter what one believes regarding the beginning of the church?

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

Officially, Baptists do not have a stand on this.  You will find different Baptist churches teaching both views.

Why different views?
Many belief that the church started with Peter in Matthew 16:18.  WHen Jesus said, Mt 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  For them, Jesus said it, therefore it began at that moment.  They also point to Ephesians 5:25 which says: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.  Christ gave his life before pentecost, therefore He gave his life for something that existed not something that hadn't arrived yet.

Others believe that the church began with Pentecost.  They point to the coming of the Holy Spirit and to the large number that were added to thier number that day.

I really don't think this should be a disagreement at all.  It really doesn't matter when it "offically" started.  The problem today is that there is no unity

Blessings