Here is a Scripture-only chart tracing the beginning and growth of the Church (the ekklesia, the called-out assembly of believers) strictly from the New Testament, starting in Acts, with no denominational bias. All references are direct from the Bible (mostly KJV/ NKJV wording for clarity).
| Period / Event | Key Scripture | What the Church / Believers Were Called | Major Events & Growth | Leadership Offices & Qualifications Mentioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Promised | Matt 16:18 | “My church” (ekklesia) – first mention | Jesus promises to build it upon the rock (Peter’s confession) | None yet |
| Birth of the Church | Acts 2:1-41 (Pentecost) | “disciples” (2:44), “the church” implied | 3,000 souls added in one day (2:41) | Apostles only at this point |
| Early Jerusalem Church | Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35; 5:11-14 | – “the church” (5:11 – first use of the term) – “disciples” (6:1-2) – “brethren” (6:3) – “saints” (9:13, 32, 41) – “those who believed” (4:32) | Daily additions (2:47); multitudes added (5:14) | Apostles + seven chosen to serve tables (deacons proto-type, 6:1-6) |
| First Called “Christians” | Acts 11:19-26 | “Christians” (first in Antioch, 11:26) | Church planted in Antioch; great number believed | Barnabas & Saul (Paul) teaching |
| Church Spreads to Gentiles | Acts 13–14 (1st missionary journey) | “church” (14:23, 27), “disciples” (14:22) | Churches established in Asia Minor; elders appointed in every church (14:23) | Elders (presbuteroi) appointed |
| Jerusalem Council | Acts 15 | “the church” (15:3-4, 22), “brethren” | Decision sent to Gentile churches | Apostles + elders (15:2, 4, 6, 22-23; 16:4) |
| Pauline Mission Churches | Acts 16–20 | – “church(es)” (plural often, 15:41; 16:5) – “disciples” (multiple cities) – “brethren” – “saints” (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; etc.) – “Christians” (Acts 26:28; 1 Pet 4:16) | Churches multiplied & strengthened daily (16:5; 19:20) | • Elders / bishops (same office) appointed (Acts 20:17, 28; Phil 1:1) • Deacons (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8-13) |
| Offices & Qualifications (only passages that give explicit lists) | Elder / Bishop / Pastor (same office, different names) – Acts 20:17, 28 → elders = overseers (episkopoi) who shepherd (poimainō) – 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9 (full qualifications list) Key qualifications: blameless, husband of one wife, sober, ruling own house well, not a novice, good reputation with outsiders, able to teach, etc. Deacon (diakonos – servant) – 1 Tim 3:8-13 Key qualifications: reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience, husband of one wife, ruling children & house well, wife grave & not slanderer | |||
| Other Ministry Gifts (not local-church offices but given to the whole church) | Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28; Rom 12:6-8 | “the church” (Eph 4:4, 12) | For the equipping of the saints & building up the body | • Apostles • Prophets • Evangelists • Pastors & teachers (or pastor-teachers) • (1 Cor 12) also miracles, healings, helps, administrations, tongues, etc. |
| Final NT Descriptions | Acts 20:28; Heb 12:23; 1 Pet 2:9; Rev 1–3 | – “church of God” (Acts 20:28) – “church of the firstborn” (Heb 12:23) – “chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, His own special people” (1 Pet 2:9) – “the seven churches” (Rev 1–3) | Persecuted but growing; letters written to local churches | Overseers (bishops) and deacons still the only named local-church offices (Phil 1:1) |
Summary of Biblical Names for the Church & Believers (in order of first appearance)
- Disciples (Acts 1–9, then throughout)
- Brethren (Acts 1:15 onward)
- The church (Acts 5:11)
- Saints (Acts 9:13)
- Christians (Acts 11:26)
- Those of the Way (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22)
Local Church Leadership in the New Testament (only two ongoing offices named)
- Elders (presbuteroi) = Bishops/Overseers (episkopoi) = Pastors/Shepherds (poimēn) → proven to be the same office (Acts 20:17+28; 1 Pet 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-7)
- Deacons (diakonoi) – servants of the church
No other permanent hierarchical offices (archbishops, cardinals, popes, etc.) or single-bishop-over-many-churches model appears in the New Testament. Churches are autonomous local assemblies led by a plurality of elders and served by deacons.
This is strictly what the Scriptures themselves record from Acts onward.