When did the church begin?

I think we would all agree that the English word church originates from the
Greek word, Ecclesia. Without going into great detail I believe that we can also
agree that this Greek word basically means assembly.
Ok, if we agree so far then we can move on to what assembly we are referring to
when discussing the word, Church. I think it logical to begin with the promise of
the church.
We find the promise here: Mat. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.
In this promise Jesus defines what church he is talking about; He said it would
be his church and that he would build it. If we take Jesus at his word we can
eliminate any other church, or assembly, if you will. We can also affirm that his
church did not exist before this because the words I will build are in the future
tense.
We find the first members of his church mentioned here 1Cor. 12:28 And God
hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.
We find that he chose these apostles here: Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he
called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he
named apostles.
Since the office of apostle is then a church office, we can safely say that when
he chose the twelve this is the beginning of his church. There are many
scriptures that show that his church was in existence during his personal
ministry on earth. They do not show the time of the actual beginning, but they
affirm that it existed at that time. There is no scripture that comes right out and
says; The church began at this time.

There are many that think that the church began on the day of Pentecost. But a
serious study will show that the church existed before Pentecost. Ill just mention
a few here. Jesus is with his disciples here as they partake of The Lords
Supper: Mat. 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of
the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
He sang this hymn with them in the midst of the church: Heb 2:12 Saying, I will
declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing
praise unto thee.
The Lords Supper is a church ordinance.
Just the fact that they partook of The Lords Supper presupposes that there is a
church in existence at this time.
The authority of disciples in church capacity was placed in the church during
Christ's earthly ministry. Mat 18:15. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he
neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a
publican.
They had the church commission to preach the Gospel before Pentecost Mrk.
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
Anyway, this part about the church before Pentecost is just a freebee. It doesnt
really speak to the issue of when the church was begun, but rather, when it
wasnt.