If we understand the church as merely a new covenant phenomenon, the church did not start until Pentecost or perhaps the Last Supper. If, however, we understand that the church is part of God’s eternal plan for His creation, we will see that it actually began long before the new covenant was inaugurated, although under the new covenant the church reaches its fullest expression.
In the fall, I had the honor of teaching a class on ecclesiology—the doctrine of the church—at Reformation Bible College. On our first day of class, I asked this question: When did the church begin? One of my students made the observation, “Well, it depends on what you mean by ‘the church.’”
He was exactly right. If we understand the church as merely a new covenant phenomenon, the church did not start until Pentecost or perhaps the Last Supper. If, however, we understand that the church is part of God’s eternal plan for His creation, we will see that it actually began long before the new covenant was inaugurated, although under the new covenant the church reaches its fullest expression.
Reformed theology sets itself apart from some other theological traditions in affirming that the church actually predates the new covenant. As Belgic Confession 27 states: “[The] church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects.” In my experience, many people have difficulty understanding that the church has existed from the beginning. But when we look at the Scriptures carefully in light of the mission Christ gave to the church, I believe it becomes clear that the church started not in Jerusalem at Pentecost but in Eden.
The Mission of the Church
Surely, every Christian can agree that Matthew 28:18–20 lays out the fundamental mission of the church. This mission tells us that the church is to do several things:
- Make disciples of Jesus—multiply followers of the one true God in Christ
- Baptize them in the name of the triune God—administer and receive sacraments
- Teach them to observe/obey Jesus—instruct them in keeping the commandments of the one true God in Christ
- Go into all the world—do the above three things worldwide
If these mandates belong to the church, then it seems that any entity that possesses them is the church. Let us see how we find the components of the Great Commission, and thus the church of Christ, throughout biblical history.
We find the components of the Great Commission, and thus the church of Christ, throughout biblical history.
From Adam to Moses
Genesis 1–2 describes the creation of Adam and Eve and their placement in the garden of Eden. In this act of creation, God actually gives them a mission that parallels the Great Commission in significant ways. First, we find the command to multiply. Adam and Eve were commanded to have many children (1:28). However, we should not think that this meant simply giving birth to lots of babies. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden, fellowshiping with Him and learning from Him (3:8). He spoke to them. Surely, Adam and Eve and their children were to continue talking to one another about the Lord even when He was not visiting. In other words, their task in the garden involved reflecting on the Lord and His words, learning from and about Him. In other words, in the garden they were becoming His disciples. Our first parents were to multiply followers of the one true God, teaching them to keep His commandments.
In the garden of Eden, we also find a sacrament. Genesis 2:9 tells us that in the middle of the garden stood the Tree of Life, which imparted continuing life to those who ate from it (see 3:22). We should not think there was something particularly special about the tree that gave its fruit inherent power to impart life apart from any other consideration. That tree imparted life because it was connected to the promises of God. Its granting of life came through Adam and Eve’s trust in the Lord, trust displayed in their willingness to do what He said. The tree was a visible sign of an invisible grace; eating of it brought life because God promised to give life to Adam and Eve as they relied on Him, proving this reliance by following His rules regarding what to eat and what not to eat and the other tasks given to them in the garden. As long as they partook in faith, they were renewed in life by our Creator.
We can hardly talk about the Tree of Life without referencing the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in Genesis. Eating of this tree would bring death (2:16–17). Here we have a reference to what we might call church discipline. Adam and Eve would be cast out of the garden, away from the blessing of God, if they ate of the forbidden tree. Under the new covenant, we cast people out of the church through excommunication, sending them away from the blessing of God, for persistent, impenitent, serious sin.
Finally, the mission of Adam and Eve was worldwide. God told them to take dominion over creation (Gen. 1:26–28). I lack space to develop this in full, but the Hebrew words used here convey the idea that this was a call to expand the borders of Eden. Adam and Eve were to bring the ordered world of the garden to the whole earth. The place where human beings fellowshiped with God and worshiped Him was to be extended around the world.
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