The myth of the "early church"

[Right Divider]

When both Romanists and Protestants (anyone really) talk about the "early church", I already know that they are completely confused. Typically, the "early church" refers to a mythological organization that began on the lawfully required Jewish feast day of Pentecost. Most of Churchianity (Catholics and Protestants, et al) believes that a "church" began on that day, but the Bible says otherwise. The following are some Biblical facts:

• The Bible says that there was a church in the wilderness (Acts 17:38) that was MUCH earlier than the mythological one that supposedly began in Acts 2.
• The Bible says that the "church" in Acts 2 was NOT BEGAN, but was ADDED to (Acts 2:47).
• The Bible says that the "church" in Acts 2 was thoroughly Jewish (along with Jewish proselytes) [Acts 2:10]. No random gentiles involved.

Acts 7:38 (AKJV/PCE)​

(7:38) This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:​

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Acts 2:47 (AKJV/PCE)​

(2:47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.​

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Acts 2:10 (AKJV/PCE)​

(2:10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,​

More helpful information: https://graceambassadors.com/tradition/history/the-myth-of-the-first-century-church

 

[Idolater]

God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands.

$$ Ac 7:48
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

$$ Ac 17:24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

The Church is the temple made without hands.

The Corinthians are that temple:

$$ 1Co 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
$$ 1Co 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

$$ 2Co 6:16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

(Quoting Leviticus 26, and Jeremiah 31.)

The Ephesians are that temple:

$$ Eph 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
$$ Eph 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
$$ Eph 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
$$ Eph 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

That temple is the early Church.

 

[annabenedetti]

Acts 7:38 (AKJV/PCE)

(7:38) This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:​

Stephen is clearly referring to the assembly of Jews with Moses. It's so clearly Jewish history Stephen is giving that it's actually difficult to believe you could be using ekklesia for church rather than assembly in this passage in trying to place early church before Pentecost.

Acts 2:47 (AKJV/PCE)​

(2:47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.​

Use the preceding verse for context:

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [q]to the church daily those who were being saved.​

It's obvious that verse 47 follows from the unknown number of days that "daily" continued onward from the day of Pentecost.

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Acts 2:10 (AKJV/PCE)​

(2:10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,​

Use the following verse for context:

8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [c]language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and [d]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”​

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The early church is the Catholic Church.