When did the church begin ?

[John146]

In every place in the Bible, the word 'church' literally means 'assembly'. You have to determine from the context what assembly it is referring to.

Another word is 'baptize' (and its various forms). It means 'immerse'. Context determines the nature of the immersion that is being referred to.

Same with the words saved and gospel...the context will determine.

 

[John146]

My thinking is that the church officially began when Paul returned from spending about 3 years at Mt Sinai.

The mysteries of the church age (the gospel of grace), hidden in the mind of God until it was revealed it to Paul (at Mount Sinai). for dispensation mainly to the gentiles.


(Mt. Sinai - Moses - Law - Nation of Israel)

The Cross

(Mt. Sinai - Paul - Grace - Gentile world)

Paul spent three years on mount Sinai? I have always been under the impression it was forty days.

 

[billabong]

Paul spent three years on mount Sinai? I have always been under the impression it was forty days.

Paul spent three years on mount Sinai? I have always been under the impression it was forty days.

Galations 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.

 

[John146]

Galations 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.

Does it not say that he returned to Damascus then after three years he went To Jerusalem? Sounds like he was in Damascus for three years.

 

[billabong]

Does it not say that he returned to Damascus then after three years he went To Jerusalem? Sounds like he was in Damascus for three years.

Yes you may be right, scripture is a bit vague on this point.

Having said that, In 2 Corinthians 11:32–33, Paul also mentions this detail: “In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.” This final piece of information indicates that the local Jewish leadership had persuaded the Damascene officials to help them capture Paul.

If Paul was on the run from the Damascene King and the Jewish officials. What sounds more probable. Do you think he would of returned to Damascus after only 40 days (as you suggest), or do you think he would of waited roughly 3 years ? (allowing for the dust to settle)
I guess that would be open for speculation,

 

[GaryA]

Does this help? :

Galatians 1:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

 

[John146]

Yes you may be right, scripture is a bit vague on this point.

Having said that, In 2 Corinthians 11:32–33, Paul also mentions this detail: “In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.” This final piece of information indicates that the local Jewish leadership had persuaded the Damascene officials to help them capture Paul.

If Paul was on the run from the Damascene King and the Jewish officials. What sounds more probable. Do you think he would of returned to Damascus after only 40 days (as you suggest), or do you think he would of waited roughly 3 years ? (allowing for the dust to settle)
I guess that would be open for speculation,

As Moses was upon the Mount forty days receiving the Old Testament law for God’s physical people, the nation of Israel, so too did Paul spend forty days upon the Mount receiving the instructions of New Testament living for God‘s spiritual people the body of Christ.

 

[billabong]

Does this help? :

Galatians 1:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

No, I just went through 30 different translations, couldn't find a translation that matches the one you cited.
What translation are you using?

 

[GaryA]

No, I just went through 30 different translations, couldn't find a translation that matches the one you cited.
What translation are you using?

KJV

 

[billabong]

KJV

KJV

Ok now I see what you did, you have replaced the word "Only" and changing it with the word "then".

Now when you do things like that, that changes the meaning! Dose it not!!!
As I said, NO!, "not helpfull Gary"

 

[CS1]

What verses pertain to when the church began ?
Was it before the cross?
Was it Just after the cross ?
Was it Acts 2 ?
was it after Acts 2 ?

Acts chapter 2 as Jesus said to go and wait until you receive power from on high in the Gospel of Luke.

 

[JaumeJ]

Splitting hairs, disputing a word here and a word there do no justice to understanding. It is good to be as was Mary, holding things she did not yet understand until it was given her to.

Words in different books may use different words with the same meaning, wait for seeing the similitude.

 

[GaryA]

Ok now I see what you did, you have replaced the word "Only" and changing it with the word "then".

Now when you do things like that, that changes the meaning! Dose it not!!!
As I said, NO!, "not helpfull Gary"

I did not replace or change anything - the verses in post #126 came straight out of the KJV.

The only thing I did to the text was highlight the word 'Then' in verse 18.

 

[billabong]

I did not replace or change anything - the verses in post #126 came straight out of the KJV.

The only thing I did to the text was highlight the word 'Then' in verse 18.

Found it, you are right, my apologies.