Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47.)

We contend that the church which God purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28) was established (to place on a permanent basis) on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We contend that every person in all the world that has the "new birth" of Water and Spirit (John 3:5) is a member of this blood bought institution and are children of God and they need not "join" any group or sect by vow or vote in order to become a member of God's church. The very fact that you are a child of God through obedience to the scriptures make you a member of His church . . . Therefore if you aren't a member of His church, you are not one of his children! The body is the church (Col. 1:18) and by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body . . . (1st. Cor. 12:13.)

We earnestly ask you to follow us in the thoughts and scriptures given in the following paragraphs and see the things as taught and practiced by the church at Pentecost and then prayerfully compare them with the religious orders of today to see how far man has really drifted from the original pattern. Remember the words of Paul when he said: I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1st. Cor. 3:10)

First let us notice that about 120 were gathered together in Jerusalem "in one accord and prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14-15). Jesus had commanded them to tarry in this city until they were endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49-53) Notice that Mary and other women were present on this occasion! (Acts 1:14) When these received the Holy Ghost every one of them began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4) Some will vainly argue that only the twelve apostles were filled with the Spirit on this occasion! To prove the inconsistency of this false assumption let us notice the following: When these disciples received the Holy Spirit the unbelieving multitude were amazed and ask, What maketh this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.(Acts 2:12-13)

We then see Peter as he answered them by saying: These are not drunken, as ye suppose . . . this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh: and your SONS and DAUGHTERS shall prophesy . . . (Acts 2:14-18) Notice that Peter said "this is that" . . . . He then quoted the words of Joel as found in Joel 2:28-29. If this at Pentecost was the fulfilling of this prophesy as Peter preached, then it is easy to see that DAUGHTERS had the Spirit poured out on them too, therefore it is folly to say that only the apostles received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost! The true church of Jesus Christ received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues when established! --God set tongues in His church (1st. Cor. 12:28) and no man can scriptually deny it. --His true church is Just the same today! The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey (Acts 5:32) and when He comes in He will testify and speak. (John 15:26-John 16:13 - Mark 16:17)

Now let us notice that when Peter preached this great message on Pentecost He preached the "Holy One". . . (Acts 2:27) Over 50 times in the Bible you read where the term "Holy One" is mentioned but not ONE time can you find where the Bible ever speaks of the "Holy Two" or the "Holy Three" . . This should cause every reader of this message to stop and think! If there be two or three persons in the Godhead, Why didn't God speak of the "Holy Three?" Remember, He always mentioned the "Holy One." The apostle Peter preached the Holy One on this occasion and later declared there was salvation in "any other" (Acts 4:12). He told about Jesus being the "head of the corner" (Acts 4:11) Peter also preached that Jesus was "both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36) which means He is both Jehovah and Anointed. Let everyone know of truth that the Bible only teaches ONE Lord and His Name one! (Zec. 14:9 - Deut. 6:4 - Mark 12:29 - Eph. 4:5) Jesus is this Holy One and in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:8-10) and He is the Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6)

Let us also notice that it was on this day that the church was established that men pricked (convicted) in heart ask that all Important question, What shall we do? (Acts 2:37) It was here that the apostle Peter gave them God's plan to receive the remission of sins, to have the new birth and to become members of His church. He told these guilty Jews to "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) We insist today that Peter was speaking as a command of God! He had the keys of the kingdom (Mat. 16:19) and he boldly told men how to be forgiven of their sins and their need of receiving the Holy Ghost.

Repentance is a "must" in order to be saved! (Luke 13:3 - Acts 17:30) Peter taught Repentance in the church at Pentecost (Acts 2:38.) However, Repentance isn't enough! The same Peter told these Jews that they must be baptized! Baptism isn't sprinkling or pouring; baptism is a burial. (Mat. 3:16 - Acts 8:38 - Rom. 6:4 - Col. 2:12) After one has repented (died to sin) then they must be buried in the watery grave (baptism) in the name of Jesus Christ. Water baptism isn't to be administered in the trinity formula of "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" but in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:16 - Acts 10:48 - Acts 19:5) May we bear in mind that Repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is for the remission of sins and this is the message preached in what many term the "early church" or the church that we read of in Acts the second chapter.

Now let us notice that the church we read about on the day of Pentecost had daughters who prophesied. On the day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Spirit, both SONS and DAUGHTERS prophesied. (Acts 2:17) Any good dictionary will tell you that "prophesy" means first to foretell and second to preach. This should make many think if the church of which I am a member is the same as the church at Pentecost. . . Where are the women preachers? Why doesn't my preacher preach the Holy One instead of the "holy three"? Why doesn't my preacher preach the same plan to save as Peter did in Acts 2:38? Why doesn't my preacher preach that we are to speak in tongues when we receive the Holy Ghost? Why doesn't my church and my preacher baptize their converts in the name of Jesus Christ as Peter commanded in his sermon? Why do we join a church when the Bible says the Lord adds to His church???

May the God of heaven help us to consider our ways and come back to the old land marks and accept the message as preached by the apostles and prophets of old that all might be well in the day of His judgement.