What event signified the beginning of the ancient church?
The correct answer and explanation is :
The event that signified the beginning of the ancient church is traditionally considered to be Pentecost, which occurred 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is recorded in the New Testament in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus, empowering them to spread the message of Christ. This event is often seen as the birth of the Christian Church, marking the moment when the apostles, initially hesitant and unsure, began to preach with boldness and conviction.
Prior to Pentecost, the followers of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem, but they were still operating as a small Jewish sect. The Holy Spirit’s arrival not only empowered them but also transformed their mission from a localized Jewish movement to a universal one, intended for all people. The apostles spoke in tongues, a sign that the gospel message was to reach all nations and cultures. Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, delivered a powerful sermon on that day, calling people to repentance and faith in Christ. As a result, about 3,000 people were baptized and became the first members of the early Christian community.
This event marks the beginning of the ancient church because it fulfilled Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit as a guide and advocate for his followers (John 14:16-17). With the Holy Spirit’s power, the early Christians were able to carry out the mission of spreading the gospel, establishing churches, and laying the foundation for the Christian faith that would eventually spread throughout the Roman Empire and the world. Pentecost thus signifies the birth of the Christian Church and the empowerment of believers to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ, marking the start of what would become a worldwide movement.