1. The literal meaning of the word church (ekklesia). From ek, meaning "out" and kaleo meaning "to call." Jesus called out His disciples from the disciples of John early in His public ministry, forming the church or called-out assembly (John 1:35-51).

1) Matthew 4:18-20 – Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew his brother to follow him. "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

2) Matthew 4:21-22 – Jesus called James and John, the sons of Zebedee. "And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him."

3) Matthew 9:9 – Jesus called Matthew to follow him. "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him."

4) John 1:43 – Jesus called Philip to follow him. "The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me."

2. Christ said He would leave His "house" on earth when He went on a "far journey" (ascended back unto heaven) (Mark 13: 31-37). The church is identified as His "house" (Heb. 3:1-6; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 2:20,21; 1 Cor. 3:16). Christ ascended prior to Pentecost (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11).

2. Christ spoke of His disciples as a "flock" prior to Pentecost (Luke 12:32; Matt. 26:31,32). The church is identified as the "flock" of God (Acts 20:28,29; 1 Pet. 5:2,3).

1) The church is call "little flock" before Pentecost - Luke 12:32 – "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

2) The church is still called "flock" after Pentecost – Acts 20:28,29 – "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock."

3) The church is call "little flock" before Pentecost – Matthew 26:31, 32 – "Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee."

4) The church is still called "flock" after Pentecost – I Peter 5:2,3 – "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

3. They preached the gospel prior to Pentecost (Mark 1:1; 3:14; Matt. 10:14; Luke 10:1-17).

1) Mark 1:1 – "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"

2) Matt. 10:7 – Christ sent the 12 apostles to all the nation of Israel, commanding them to preach the gospel.

3) Luke 10:1-17 – Christ sent the 70 elders to all the nation of Israel, commanding them to preach the gospel.

4. They had Holy Spirit power prior to Pentecost (Matt. 10:5, 19,20).

5. Matthew 10:19-20 – When Christ sent the 12 apostles, he instructed them to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit when times of trouble came upon them. "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."

6. They baptized prior to Pentecost (John 4:1,2). "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)"

7. They received the Lord’s Supper prior to Pentecost (Matt. 26:26; Luke 22:17-20; Mark 14:22-26).

1) Matthew 26:26 – "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body."

2) Luke 22:17-20 and Mark 14:220-26 also records the giving and receiving of the Lord’s Supper before the Day of Pentecost, and during the personal ministry of Christ.

8. They had an ordained ministry prior to Pentecost (Mark 3:14; cf. 1 Cor. 12:28).

1) Mark 3:14 – "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,"

2) I Cor. 12:28 – "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

9. They had church discipline prior to Pentecost (Matt. 18:15-18). "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

10. They had Christ as their "head" prior to Pentecost (John 13:14; cf. Eph. 1:22,23).

1) Christ was the head of the church before the day of Pentecost – John 13:14 – "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

2) Christ is still the head of the church after the day of Pentecost – Eph. 1:22,23 – "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."

11. They had a membership of 120 prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:15; note, "names").

1) Acts 1:15 – "And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)"

2) According to I Corinthians 15:6, there was a gathering of 500 believers, but all of these were not members of the church at Jerusalem. "After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep."

12. They had a business meeting and elected officers prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:15-26). "And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

13. They had a treasurer prior to Pentecost (John 13:29). "For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor."

14. They "added" 3,000 on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

15. They had the "Great Commission" prior to Pentecost (Matt. 28:19,20). "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

16. Christ was "building" His church prior to Pentecost (Matt. 16:18). "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

17. They ("us") had been in existence ("companied with us") "from the baptism of John" (Acts 1:21,22). "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." Peter is here claiming that the apostle that replaces Judas must be baptized with the baptism by John the Baptist, AND must have traveled with them from the beginning. Peter is declaring that the man who replaces Judas must have been a charter member of the church established by Jesus Christ during his personal ministry.

18. The Bridegroom was with His Bride (the church) prior to Pentecost (John 3:29; cf. Eph. 5:22-33; 2 Cor. 11:2).

1) Luke 5:33-35 – "And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."

2) John 3:29 – "He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."

3) Eph. 5:22-33 – Just as the husband and wife are together and are one, so Christ and his church are together and one.

4) II Corinthians 11:1-2 – "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." This passage is confirmation that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a special called out body of saved, scripturally baptized believers who have covenanted together to serve and worship the living God. It is out of this group of people that Christ will choose his bride. There is much evidence in the Bible that Christ won’t choose a bride from the world, but his bride will be pure, spotless and holy before him in eternal love.

19. Christ sang in His church prior to Pentecost (Mark 14:26; in fulfillment of Psalm 22:22; see Heb. 2:12).

1) Mark 14:26 – "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

2) A fulfillment of Psalm 22:22 – "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee."

3) Heb. 2:11-12 – "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."

20. There is NO Scripture anywhere to indicate that the church began at Pentecost.

21 Prior to Pentecost they were a body of baptized believers banded together to carry out the will of Jesus Christ.  After Pentecost, they are still a body of saved, scripturally baptized believers covenanted together to fulfill the Great Commission given by Christ.  Local churches of the Lord Jesus Christ are still in this world, and they will be until Christ comes to take them out of the world.  Satan will never defeat the church of the Lord Jesus Christ because that church is his body.  Individual churches and individual Christians may be defeated, but there will always be victorious churches and victorious individuals.