Walking the Streets of First Century Jerusalem

Imagine yourself standing in Jerusalem’s narrow streets during Pentecost around 33 AD. The city is filled with Jewish pilgrims who have traveled from across the Mediterranean world to celebrate this ancient festival. Among them are followers of Jesus Christ, who had recently been crucified and resurrected according to God’s divine plan.

The Hebrew Concept Behind “Church”

These early believers weren’t attending “church” as we understand it today. When they gathered, they experienced what Scripture reveals as God’s eternal purpose. The word translated as “church” in our English Bibles—the Greek “ekklesia”—was divinely chosen because it echoed the Hebrew “qahal” (קָהָל), God’s Sacred Assembly of Believers. When Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood to preach at Pentecost, he wasn’t starting a new religion—he was proclaiming the fulfillment of God’s promises in His Son Jesus Christ.

Read more: This is excerpt for  Israel Institue for Biblical Studies