If a list were to be made of the ten greatest days in the history of mankind, surely Pentecost - the first Pentecost after Jesus' resurrection - would have to be on the list. Pentecost was the beginning (Acts 11: 15). It was the beginning of that which had been purposed, not in the mind of man, but in the mind of God; not as an after-thought, but from eternity.

     Throughout the ages God had envisioned a body of people who would be conformed to the image of His Son; who would be called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:29-30); who would be purchased with His Son's blood (Acts 20:28); who would be sanctified and cleansed, freed from spot, wrinkle or blemish, His Son's bride (Ephesians 5:25-27); who would be a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people" (I Peter 2:9); who would serve as a demonstration of His manifold wisdom, not just to men, but to principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3: 10-11).
These people would be His church.  

    Approximately nine months before His death, Jesus said, "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Peter had just confessed, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Upon that foundation of truth Christ's church would be built. Upon that foundation living stones would be placed (1 Peter 2:5), stones that together would comprise -God's temple. But the work of building had -not yet begun. The purchasing price had not yet been paid. The sanctifying and cleansing agent was not yet available. The process of building had to await His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven where, as High Priest, He would offer His own blood as atonement for sin.

     The stage was set ten days after Jesus' ascension. The Day of Pentecost had fully come. The apostles were together. Jews, devout men, had assembled in Jerusalem from nations throughout the world. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles. They spoke in tongues. The multitudes gathered. They were amazed and were prepared to listen to an explanation of the phenomenon they were observing and to the sermon that would follow. Peter, standing with the eleven, spoke of Jesus, proving that He whom they had crucified was Lord and Christ. The multitudes were convicted, cut to the heart. "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" they asked.

     No inflection of voice could possibly depict the terror that would have been theirs as they raised that question. They had been taught of fire that had devoured Nadab and Abihu, of the earth opening up to swallow Korah and those who had rebelled with him, of Uzzah's sudden death. Now they had been the worst sin of all, the crucifixion of their Messiah. What would be their end?

    We can only imagine their joy as Peter spoke of remission of sins: "Repent, and let every one of you be, baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). About three thousand gladly received his word and were baptized (verse 4).

    Three thousand souls were saved that day. Three thousand living stones were built upon the solid foundation. Christ had now begun the process of building His church. But what had begun on Pentecost would prove to
 The process of building continues to this day. Whenever one is convicted by the gospel, repents, and is baptized, he is saved and becomes another living stone to be added by the Lord to His church. The process will continue until the last person is converted before the Lord comes again. At that time the Lord's church will be complete.

    A correct view of the Lord's church obviously requires thinking in heavenly terms rather than in earthly terms. One's view is very distorted if he thinks of the church of Christ as a mere conglomerate of all "sound" churches. His view is far too limited if he thinks of the church of Christ as God's faithful people of the present generation. Christ's church is a heavenly body made up of all His faithful followers of all ages, some still on earth, others in paradise, but all together comprising His church. It is a body of people that includes Paul, Peter, Barnabas, Mary, Priscilla, Aquila, the victorious ones we have known in our day who have passed on, as well as the faithful on this earth who are struggling, striving, and winning in Christ. What a fellowship we have -in Christ's church! And it all had its beginning on the first Pentecost after Christ's resurrection.