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.

Temple Worship and Hebrew Scripture

Walk through Jerusalem's Temple courts during this period and you'd find these first Christians still honoring their Jewish heritage while embracing their new identity in Christ. When they gathered in homes to break bread and study the Lord's teachings, they searched the Hebrew Bible Scriptures—Isaiah, Psalms, and the books of Moses—finding prophecies fulfilled in Jesus. The connections between the Greek "ekklesia" and similar-sounding Hebrew terms like "אוכלוסיה" (ochlusiah) show how God providentially prepared the way for the Gospel message.

Festival Timing: Not Coincidental, But Prophetic

The Holy Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost was God's perfect timing because this festival commemorated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Just as God once wrote His commandments on stone tablets, now through Christ, He writes His Word on the hearts of believers. These first Christians understood they were experiencing the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:33, not replacing God's promises but fulfilling them through faith in Christ.

Why Learning Biblical Hebrew Matters Today

Understanding Biblical Hebrew deepens your relationship with God's Word, revealing how the entire Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—tells one unified story of redemption through Christ. Without this foundation, believers today miss the prophetic connections and rich spiritual truths that the apostles and early church recognized.

Benefits of Studying with Israel Institute of Biblical Studies:

  • Learning community – our classes provide guidance for understanding Christianity's historical development.
  • Balanced scholarship – convenient weekly lessons present multiple scholarly perspectives on Jewish-Christian relations.
  • Expert instruction – study with scholars who specialize in biblical languages and biblical history.
  • Flexible schedule – our classes are offered across multiple time zones to accommodate your busy life.