There was a -colossal response- to Peter's preaching of his first sermon on the Day of Pentecost-and it led to the establishment of an entity that God had planned from eternity past, even though He had not revealed that plan in the Old Testament.--Dr. John Whitcomb is speaking, of course, about the beginning of the church in Acts 2. He reminds us that this was a -unique time in a unique place in a unique situation--as he opens a study called -The First Church--this week on -Encounter God's Truth.---With help from host Wayne Shepherd, we are continuing through Volume One of a new series called -Acts- Witness of the Early Church.- We present it with thanks to Middletown Bible Church in Middletown, Connecticut-where it was first recorded-for their gracious assistance.--This week we tackle some tough issues-such as the meaning of repentance and faith, the difference between water baptism and Spirit baptism, the relation of Jews and Gentiles, and some of the distinctives of this organism we call the church, which is the body and bride of Christ.--God's Word is true from the beginning to the end- Whitcomb Ministries broadcasts this message in the hope of encouraging you with that Word.