The Establishment of the Church

Robert Meredith

  Did God foretell of the establishment of His church?  There are many prophecies relating to the Messiah and the church that He would build.  The Holy Spirit tells us in 1 Peter 1:10 that the Old Testament prophets desired to know more about the things revealed to them by the Spirit.  Now that God’s Word has been completely revealed (Jude 3), we can see the complete picture of His church as foretold in the Old Covenant.  The many prophecies were given so that one can identify the Messiah and could understand His mission (to give His life a ransom for many, Matt. 20:28) and to establish His spiritual body, the church (Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18).  These prophecies prove that the church was not an after thought as some teach, but was His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10-11).  Let us notice a few prophecies concerning His establishment of the church.

  In Daniel 2:44 one can read that during the days of the Roman Empire, God would set up His kingdom.  Jesus was born (Lk. 2:1), lived and died during its reign.  Furthermore, God promised David that the Christ would be born of his seed and would rule upon his throne (2 Sam. 7:12-13).  The Holy Spirit tells us that this seat of authority is now forever in Heaven (Ps. 89:35-37).  Also, Isaiah reveals in the second chapter verses two and three, that the church would be established in the last days, that all people could become members of it, that they come to it by being taught (see also John 6:44-45 & Rom. 10:17), and that it would begin in the city of Jerusalem.  Acts 2 shows us that the last days began with Christ (Acts 2:17), and that the church began in the city of Jerusalem as prophesied.  Too, Daniel informs us that the Kingdom would be established after Christ had ascended up to Heaven (Dan. 7:13-14), and the Holy Spirit tells that this was where Christ was when the church was built (Acts 2:33,36).  Another prophecy is found in Zechariah 6:13, which informs us that Jesus would be King and Priest over His church at the same time.  Jesus now is serving in both capacities (1 Tim. 6:15; Heb. 4:14).

  These prophecies tell us many things about His church.  Jesus said that His church and His kingdom are one and the same (Mt. 16:18-19).  We encourage you to obey the gospel, come to Christ, and be added by God to His Kingdom (Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9).