Mike,

I think this article I have pasted below raises many very good points.

Did the Body of Christ Begin at Pentecost?

Many Christians assume the Body of Christ began on the day of Pentecost. Without ever stopping to prove why (1 Th 5:21), they then move ahead to establish their doctrines concerning this dispensation with this as the key. Have you ever considered what actually took place on Pentecost? What follows is a list of fourteen reasons why the church could not have begun at Pentecost.

1. There was already a church in existence on the day of Pentecost (Act 2:41, 47). This church was not the church which is His Body (Eph 1:22-23), because this was hid until it was revealed to Paul (Eph 3). This church, to which the believers of Pentecost were added, was the kingdom church and was based on the confession of Peter that Jesus was the Christ (or Messiah). Peter was then given the keys to this kingdom church and the power to “bind” and “loose” (Mat 16:15-20; c. f. Joh 20:23).

2. Peter preached the “Last Days” of Israel on Pentecost and not the first days of the church which is His Body (Act 2:16-17).

3. There is no indication in Acts 2, or anywhere in Scripture, that the Body of Christ is being formed on Pentecost.

4. Pentecost was a Jewish feast day given in the Law of Moses (Lev 23; Deu 16). In the dispensation of the Grace of God there is no observance of days, and they are spoken of as “weak and beggarly elements” and “bondage” (Gal 4:9-11). It is inconceivable that the Lord would begin a church on– a feast day which He had for another economy.

5. There was no casting off of the nation Israel on the day of Pentecost, as was necessary for the establishing of the Body of Christ (Rom 11:11-15, 32). On the contrary, the first real offer of the kingdom was made by Peter on Pentecost. The kingdom was not offered during the Gospels; it was only said to be “at hand.” It actually was impossible for it to have been offered until after the New Testament was established by the death of Christ (Luk 17:24-25; 24:26). Christ must first have suffered and then have entered into His glory (1 Pe 1:11).

6. The Body of Christ is a joint body of Jews and Gentiles. Peter only addressed Jews at Pentecost. Notice the words, “Ye men of Judea,”“Ye men of Israel,”“Ye”, “You” “Your” “Men and Brethren,” and the “House of Israel” throughout the passage (Acts 2). Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.

7. Part of the Pentecostal celebration was the two wave loaves of Lev 23. This is used as a type of the “Jews and Gentiles” by many dispensationalists, but this cannot match the clear teaching of 1 Co 10:17, which shows that the body of Christ is one bread.

8. Part of the message that Peter preached on Pentecost involved water baptism as a requirement for salvation (Act 2:38). Water baptism has no part in the gospel message committed to Paul for the Body of Christ (1 Co 1:17; Eph 4:5).

9. On the day of Pentecost the promise of the Father was fulfilled to Israel. This was a spiritual baptism where Christ was the baptizer, and Israel was baptized into the Holy Spirit (Mat 3:11-12; Act 1:5). This spiritual baptism is quite different from the baptism of this dispensation, where the Holy Spirit is the baptizer and the believer is baptized into the Body of Christ. The student of the Bible should learn to make a difference where God makes a difference. There are two different spiritual baptisms: one is to the kingdom church, the other is to the church which is His Body. One is associated with signs and wonders, and the other is not (1Co 12:13; Rom 6:3-4).

10. Pentecost was a fulfillment of prophecy (Act 2:16, 33; 3:24), whereas the body of Christ was a mystery which had been kept secret since the world began (Col 1:24-26).

11. If there was any dispensational change, the Apostles were completely unaware of it, for they continued at the Temple (Act 2:46; 3:1, 3, 8, 11; 5:20-21, 25, 42).

12. The Twelve and the kingdom church at Jerusalem also continued, throughout the book of Acts, to observe the Law (Act 21:20-25; 22:12).

13. The kingdom church, in accordance with the kingdom teachings of Christ, sold their possessions and established a common treasury (Act 2:44-45; 3:6; 4:32-35).

14. Peter, in his message on the day of Pentecost, did not preach the Gospel of the Grace of God, which is the clear and distinctive message of Paul given to him by revelation. Some would argue at this point that God started the Body of Christ here, despite the accounts given in Act 2, and that Peter was simply ignorant of it being formed. This is hard to believe since Peter had his understanding opened (Luk 24:45), the indwelling of the Spirit (Joh 20:22), the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Act 1:5), and the filling with the Holy Spirit (Act 2:4). No, Peter was not ignorant – he was completely aware of the program which Christ was carrying out at Pentecost and was right on target.

I would respect your opinion concerning this Mike.

Thanks,

L____

Hi L____,

Thanks for taking the time to send this along. I don’t know how familiar you are with the writings and teachings of A. E. Knoch, but Mr. Pilkington is a student of Mr. Knoch’s Concordant Publishing Concern. Mr. Knoch died in 1965.

This writing is another attempt to establish Mr. Knoch’s completely unfounded, false two-administration doctrine. I have written much in the past on this subject.

I am intimately aware of what Mr. Knoch believed and taught, because I read and subscribed to the Concordant Publishing Concern’s quarterly magazine Unsearchable Riches for several years. I was associated with and attended their Bible Conferences for several years. After breaking away from their many false doctrines, I was actually invited to speak at their Richmond, Virginia Conference in 2002. I was given a video of that conference and have it here in my office.

I asked the men who invited me, “Why are you doing this? You know what I am going to say.” They told me they were inviting me to speak for that very reason. They said they wanted to “stir things up.” They certainly did that. After my talk, I was surrounded by many of them and questioned intensively until midnight. There were 80 people at that conference. I told them all what I have written about on iswasandwillbe.com, and only one person was affected by that talk, one who had read The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit and was brought to see just how false and insidious this two administration false doctrine of Mr. A. E. Knoch is.

I cannot possibly rewrite all of that in this e-mail, so I hope you don’t mind if I ask you to go to iswasandwillbe.com and type “A. E. Knoch” into the search box. You will find several letters which answer every point made in this man’s article. But I will make a couple of points which should give any honest-minded person the ability to see just how far off the mark the premise for this mindset is.

Look at this statement by Mr. Pilkington. It is the last of his 14 points.

14. Peter, in his message on the day of Pentecost, did not preach the Gospel of the Grace of God, which is the clear and distinctive message of Paul given to him by revelation. Some would argue at this point that God started the Body of Christ here, despite the accounts given in Act 2, and that Peter was simply ignorant of it being formed. This is hard to believe since Peter had his understanding opened (Luk 24:45), the indwelling of the Spirit (Joh 20:22), the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Act 1:5), and the filling with the Holy Spirit (Act 2:4). No, Peter was not ignorant – he was completely aware of the program which Christ was carrying out at Pentecost and was right on target.”

Here are Christ’s own words concerning how He is continuously revealing Himself and His words to all who are given to receive them:

Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

This was said after Christ had given Peter the keys to the kingdom. Peter wasn’t even converted when that happened, and despite what Mr. Pilkington says, no one is scripturally converted until the holy spirit is given and takes up residence in that person’s life.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

That spirit was not given to anyone until the day of Pentecost.

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

God has blinded Mr. Pilkington’s eyes to the fact that Peter, even after the events at the house of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, still thought the Jews should not be eating with the Gentiles. Yes, it is obvious that Peter knew better, but there was still a part of this false two- administrations doctrine which had hold on Peter. Does this sound like Peter had a complete and full understanding of the fact that God was “making of two one new man?” (Eph 2:15)

Gal 2:11 Now when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, for he was self-censured.”
Gal 2:12 For, before the coming of some from James, he ate together with those of the nations. Yet when they came, he shrank back, and severed himself, fearing those of the Circumcision.”
Gal 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also play the hypocrite with him, so that Barnabas also was led away with their hypocrisy.”
Gal 2:14 But when I perceived that they are not correct in their attitude toward the truth of the evangel, I said to Cephas in front of all, “If you, being inherently a Jew, are living as the nations, and not as the Jews, how are you compelling the nations to be judaizing?
Gal 2:15 We, who by nature are Jews, and not sinners of the nations,
Gal 2:16 having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by works of law, seeing that by works of law shall no flesh at all be justified.”
Gal 2:17 Now if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ, consequently, a dispenser of sin? May it not be coming to that!”

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Christ is not making of twain, twain. According to the teachings of Mr. Knoch and Mr. Pilkington outward Jews are still Jews, and Peter had a perfect opportunity to explain to Paul that he, Peter was the apostle to the Jews, and was, according to this false, two administrations doctrine of Mr. Knoch and Mr. Pilkington, completely justified and commanded to separate himself from the Gentiles. But that is not what Peter did. Instead Peter went straight up from Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, and made this statement in Jerusalem to all the Jewish converts and to the other apostles:

Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

“No difference between us and them… purified by faith… we shall be saved even as they.” I cannot be any clearer, but Mr. Pilkington will teach Mr. Knoch’s doctrine that since they still told the Jewish converts that they had to continue circumcising, that therefore Peter was wrong when he said “There is not difference, and we are both purified by faith.”

Again, God was working with people “as they were able to bear it.” He was not pouring out the entire revelation of Jesus Christ for all to read about, in one day or one year or even in one decade.

Mar 4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

All of this is foreign to this two administrations false doctrine. These men are blinded to how Paul places the blessings of Israel upon the body which is the church.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Now look at how Paul give the church the blessing promised only to Israel:

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [ them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [ thing]; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Paul, the very apostle to whom these men profess so much honor, is taking all these Old Testament promises made exclusively to Israel, and look at what Paul does with these promises made to Israel in the very next verse of scripture:

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul is giving the taking the promises  made to physical Israel away from them and giving them to spiritual Israel, the spiritual “seed of Abraham,” to Gentile Corinthian converts, and God has blinded the eyes of Mr. Knoch and the entire Christian world to the truth of this verse of scripture:

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Gal 6:15 Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
Gal 6:16 Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God.(GWV)

Eph 2 makes clear that being called a Jew, circumcision, or Israel, does not make it so. The only thing that make it so is “inwardly… of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter [flesh].” “He is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly.” Neither Mr. Knoch, Mr. Pilkington, nor any orthodox Christian minister believe those plain words of scripture

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Every word of Eph 2 is in direct opposition to what is written below. There is not one word of two administrations, ‘one on works and one on faith.’ These false prophets hate the phrase “good works” when they see it in Paul’s letters. They call themselves “concordant” and they tell you that they are the one translation that gives each Greek word an English equivalent consistently. But look at what they really do with the Greek word ‘ergon’ the Greek word for ‘works’ in Tit 3:8. Here is the King James and the Concordant version, side by side.

Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (KJV)
Tit 3:8 Faithful is the saying, and I am intending you to be insistent concerning these things, that those who have believed God may be concerned to preside for ideal acts. These things are ideal and beneficial for humanity. (CLV)

But when it comes to James, they use the English translation of ‘works’ for this same Greek word.

Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.(KJV)
Jas 2:18 But someone will be declaring, “You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works and I shall be showing you my faith by my works.

Obviously the concept of being “concordant” cannot be allowed to interfere with the bias in favor of a false two- administration doctrine in the Concordant Literal New Testament.

I think you know I am not personally attacking these men. They are blinded by God.

You said:

I would respect your opinion concerning this, Mike.

So I pray you receive this in the spirit of love in which it is given. I will close with this quote from Paul concerning “the simplicity [ Greek, singleness] that is in Christ Jesus.”

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

I pray and believe you can see through this “thought which exalts itself against the knowledge of God”.(2Co 10:5)

Your brother in Christ,

Mike