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Lesson 12: The Church of Jesus

Intermediate Bible Study

As already noticed, Jesus went back to heaven just forty days after His resurrection. But His work of saving men was just beginning. He had selected the apostles to use in establishing His church, and shortly after His arrival in Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit on them to help them.


The Church

Acts chapter 2 tells of the beginning of the church. On that day 3,000 were baptized. They became members of Jesus church. The church was just beginning, but within thirty years, the gospel had been preached to every creature on earth (Colossians 1:23). John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles had been preaching the kingdom was coming (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7). In fact, Jesus had said it would come before the disciples He taught died. (Mark 9:1) And in Acts, the KINGDOM came!

It is important that we learn as much as possible about the church. Jesus started it, and gave instructions that no man was to change it (See Galatians 1:8,9; 2 John 9-11; Rev. 22:18,19). If we can learn what it was like when Jesus started it, we can know what it should be like today. After Jesus began His church, men have started others; so we must learn all we can about the church of Jesus so we can tell it from man-made churches.

The following chart will help us understand about the church of Jesus. Study it carefully.

Builder: Jesus (Matthew 16:18)
Year begun: 33 A. D.
Place begun: Jerusalem (Acts 2)
Head: Jesus (Ephesians. 1:22,23)
Organization: Every congregation independent, with its own elders and deacons. There were no "headquarters" on the earth. (Acts 14.-23; 1 Timothy 3)
Worship: Praying, giving, Lord's Supper every week, preaching, singing without instrumental music (Acts 12:12; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Acts 20: 7; Colossians 3:16).
Membership: Those who believe, repent, confess faith in Christ were then immersed (buried) in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:36-47).

Our other lessons will deal more fully with much of the above. However, you should try to learn as much of it as you can now. All around the world today millions are members of the very same church that Jesus started; they are His church today! If you would like to know more about His church, please let us know.

Because the church is important; you should ask yourself the following questions about any church before being a member of it.

  1. Was it begun by Jesus?
  2. Did it start in the year 33?
  3. In what city was it begun?
  4. Who is its head? Does it have an earthly head?
  5. Does it worship like the first church did?
  6. How do I become a member of it? Does it follow the Bible pattern for membership?

Another Important Question: Are you a member of the church that Jesus began?

Student Information


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You are assigned a teacher when you complete the Introductory Course. Please include the teacher information as you complete each lesson. This will help us to better serve you.

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Questions


    Fill in the blanks:
  1. Jesus went back to heaven about days after His resurrection.
  2. the Baptist, and the apostles all preached the was .
  3. The church began in the year at .
  4. After Jesus started His , started others.
  5. In the church that Jesus started, every congregation is independent, having its own and .
    6. Check the correct answer.
  6. True    False   The kingdom has not come.
  7. True    False   It is right to change the church Jesus started.
  8. True    False   When the church began 4,000 were baptized in one day.
  9. True    False   The church of the Bible has earthly headquarters.
  10. True    False   There is no way to tell Jesus' church from one begun by man.
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