The church started with Jesus’ ministry and was composed of Jesus as head and His believers as the body (Eph 1:22-23).  Jesus laid the foundation for the church with the apostle Simon Barjona, whom He renamed Peter.

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”  Matthew 16:17-18  NASB

Upon this foundation were added the other apostles, whom Jesus chose to be closest to Him.

And when day came, He called His disciples to Him; and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles;  Luke 6:13  NASB

There were the 70 disciples whom Jesus sent before him to minister.

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.  …  And the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”  Luke 10:1,17  NASB

In addition, many became believers because of Jesus’ teaching and miracles.  Recorded for us are instances when Jesus feed His followers who numbered 4,000 men and another time when they numbered 5,000 men.  Here are other instances of adding believers to the church.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing.  John 2:23  NASB

And from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”  So the Samaritans came to Him, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed two days.  And many more believed because of His word;  John 4:39-41  NABS

But many of the multitude believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ shall come, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?”  John 7:31  NASB

And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing; and He was staying there.  …  And many believed in Him there.  John 10:40,42  NASB

Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in Him.  John 11:45  NASB

Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.  John 12:42-43  NASB

This is strong evidence that the church of Jesus’ lifetime had many thousands of members (Acts 2:41).  These believers entered into the heavenly kingdom, often with the baptism with water.  The church was bifurcated with Jesus at the 100-fold level of production of spiritual fruit and the rest of the church at the 30-fold level, and this lasted until the giving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension.

In the last chapter, we developed the seven step, decline-increase chart (Illustration 5.2) to depict the progression of the levels of spiritual attainment of the church during spiritual day/age 5.  The generations of Isaac, Jacob/Israel, and Joseph are associated with the steps for the church as it declines.

Isaac, a type for Jesus with His church, was born and raised in the Promised Land and never left it.  The search for a wife did not move Isaac from the Promised Land.

And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live,  …  But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there.”  Genesis 24:2-3,8  NASB

Isaac’s wife Rebekah, a daughter of Isaac’s first cousin once-removed, was not of the Promised Land but was family from Abraham’s homeland of Babylon/Mesopotamia.  Isaac did not go to get Rebecca, yet when called she left her homeland and willingly followed Abraham’s servant.

Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?”  And she said, “I will go.”  Genesis 24:58  NASB

Thus, Rebekah is a foreshadowing of the apostles and others who willingly forsook the traditions of the Jews to follow Jesus’ new teachings.

Isaac took Rebekah as wife and loved her.

Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.  Genesis 24:67  NASB

Isaac’s love for Rebekah is an indication that Jesus loved the church, portrayed as a wife for Jesus.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;  Ephesians 5:25  NASB

Isaac bringing Rebekah into Sarah’s tent suggests similarities between Sarah and Rebekah.  Both were from Babylon/Mesopotamia, both were barren for some time, and both denied their husbands in the land of the Philistines (Gen 20, Gen 26).  Another similarity with these women is their divisive favoritism for the second son.  Sarah insisted that Abraham disinherit and cast out his first-born son (Gen 21:10).  Rebekah deceptively used her knowledge of Isaac’s intent to bless their elder son Esau in order to obtain that blessing for the younger son Jacob (Gen 27).  Rebekah’s favoritism and deception is an indication of strife that beset Jesus’ disciples.

And an argument arose among them [the disciples] as to which of them might be the greatest.  Luke 9:46  NASB

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.  And He said to her, “What do you wish?”  She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.”  Matthew 20:20-21  NASB

Of course, there is Judas, who not only betrayed Jesus, but was also a thief.

But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people?”  Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.  John 12:4-6  NASB

While experiencing a devastating famine, Isaac remained in the Promised Land rather than go down to Egypt as his father had done and his son Jacob would do.

Now there was a famine in the land, besides the pervious famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham.  So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines.  And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you.”  Genesis 26:1-2  NASB

As we noted previously, a famine for the church is not physical; it is the loss of connection to God Almighty (Section 5.3).  Jesus endured a spiritual famine of the loss of connectivity to God Almighty when He suffered physically through crucifixion while burdened with all the sins of the world.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME?”  Matthew 27:46  NASB

Isaac not leaving the spiritual Promised Land while facing a famine is an indication that Jesus, while facing imprisonment, torture, and crucifixion, submitted to His Father’s will and carried out His appointed task.

The prophet Elijah and his servant Elisha are a pattern for Jesus and the church.  Elijah is as a type for Jesus, and Elisha is a type for the apostles, either in a group or as an individual.

Both Elijah and Jesus went forty days without food.  Elijah went forty days without food in order to get to the mountain of God.

So he [Elijah] arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.  1Kings 19:8

Jesus went forty days without food in order to commune with God Almighty in the wilderness of the Mount of Temptation.

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, while tempted by the devil.   And He ate nothing during those days; and when they had ended, he became hungry.  Luke 4:1-2  NASB

Both Elijah and Jesus met with God Almighty upon a mountain.  Elijah met God Almighty upon the mountain of God.

Then he [Elijah] came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  1Kings 19:9

Jesus upon a mountain met God Almighty through prayer.

And it was at his time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  Luke 6:12

After meeting with God Almighty, each selected those who will carry on after them.  Elijah selected Elisha as prophet in his place.

And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Syria; and Jehu the son Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.  1Kings 19:15-16

After spending the night in prayer, Jesus selected twelve apostles to assist Him and to carry on after His death.

And when day came, He called His disciples to Him; and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:  Luke 6:13  NASB

And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons.  Mark 3:14-15  NASB

Those who have been selected fed the people.  Elisha fed the people.

So he [Elisha] returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled  their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate.  Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.  1Kings 19:21  NASB

Jesus sent the 12 apostles out to feed the people spiritual food.

And he summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs; and He was giving them authority over unclean spirit; and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belt;  …  And they went out and preached that men should repent.  And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.  Mark 6:7-8,12-13  NASB

The chosen assistant(s) followed and assisted their leader.  Elisha followed and assisted Elijah.

…  Then he [Elisha] arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.  1Kings 19:21  NASB

The apostles and other members of the church constantly followed and assisted Jesus.

“It is therefore necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us – beginning with the baptism of John, until the day that He was taken up from us – one of these should become a witness with us of His resurrection.”  Acts 1:21-22  NASB

The loss of the leader was told to the followers.  Elisha was told that Elijah will be taken.

Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from you today?”  And he said, “Yes, I know; be still.”  2Kings 2:3  NASB

Jesus told the apostles that He was going to be taken.

And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised again on the third day.”  And they were deeply grieved.  Matthew 17:22-23  NASB

Followers were challenged three times.  Elisha, while following Elijah at the time that Elijah was to depart, was challenged three different times.

And it came about when the LORD was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.  And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.”  But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”  So they went down to Bethel.  …  And Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.”  But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”  So they came to Jericho.  …  Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.”  And he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”  So the two of them went on.  2Kings 2:1-2,4,6  NASB

On the night that Jesus was taken prisoner, Peter, who was identified as the foundation of the church, was challenged three different times about following Jesus.

And having arrested Him, they led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.  And after they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.  And a certain servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”  But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”  And a little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!”  But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”  And after about an hour had passed, another man began to insist saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.”  Luke 22:54-59  NASB

While there are similarities with these challenges, there are also differences.  When challenged, Elisha was faithful to Elijah and did not leave him.  On the other hand, Peter was unfaithful when challenged and denied Jesus each time.  Another difference is the time of day when the leader was taken.  God Almighty took Elijah from Elisha in the light of day.

Now fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them [Elijah and Elisha] at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.  2Kings 2:7  NASB

Though it is not stated explicitly, we can be sure it would require daytime to see at a distance.  On the other hand, the Jewish leadership took Jesus in the dead of night.

And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber?  While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”  Luke 22:52-53  NASB

So, we have the contrast that God Almighty took Elijah in the light of day, and the forces of darkness took Jesus in the dark of night.

Miracles occurred.  A miracle occurred just before Elijah was taken to heaven.

And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry land.  2Kings 2:8  NASB

Miracles occurred at Jesus’ death.

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.  …  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  Matthew 27:45,50-52  NASB

After the death experience, the leader and follower(s) were together.  Elisha was together with Elijah after his symbolic death, i.e., the crossing of the River Jordan.

Now it came about when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”  And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”  2Kings 2:9  NASB

Jesus was together with His disciples after His death and resurrection.

To these he also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.  Acts 1:3  NASB

While they are together, the leader foretold what would happen to the follower.  Elijah gave instruction to Elisha.

And he said, “You have asked a hard thing.  Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; if not, it shall not be so.”  2Kings 2:10  NASB

Jesus gave instruction to His apostles.

And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  Acts 1:4-5  NASB

Both the leaders were taken up to heaven in front of their followers.  Elijah was taken from Elisha.

Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them.  And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.  2Kings 2:11  NASB

Jesus was taken up to heaven in front of his apostles.

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received him out of their sight.  Acts 1:9  NASB

In each case, the follower received the spirit of the leaders.  Elisha received the spirit of Elijah.

Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”  And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.  2Kings 2:15  NASB

The apostles and the church received the spirit of Jesus Christ.

However you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  And if Christ is in you, thought the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who indwells you.  Romans 8:9-11  NASB

Thus, Elijah and Elisha are a pattern for Jesus and the apostles.

The church during Jesus’ ministry supported Him in His various roles, suggested by the furnishings in the Holy Place of the Mosaic tabernacle.  The disciples, when feeding the multitudes and arranging the last supper, served as the table of bread as they supported Jesus in His role as the Bread of life.  The seventy sent out by Jesus (Luke 10:1,17) and the three apostles at His transfiguration served as the lampstand as they supported Jesus in His role as the Light of the world.  The disciples served as the altar of incense by being present during His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane.

As the church participated in Jesus’ ministry, it also participated in the betrayal of Jesus.  Although Jesus willingly allowed the children of darkness to take His life from Him, His death was abetted by the betrayal of one close to Him.  The betrayal of the man Adam by the woman at the beginning of the Old Testament is a pattern for the betrayal of Jesus by one of His disciples at the beginning of the church era.

Satan was the instigator of the betrayals.  Satan met with Adam’s companion.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God made.  And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’ ? ”  Genesis 3:1  NASB

Satan entered into Judas, Jesus’ companion.

Jesus therefore answered, “This is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.”  So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.  And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him.  Jesus therefore said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”  John 13:26-27  NASB

The man Adam and Jesus were betrayed by one close to them.  The woman met with Satan.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God made.  And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’ ? ”  Genesis 3:1  NASB

Jesus’ betrayal began with Judas, one of the disciples, meeting with the chief priests.

Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, and said, “What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?”  And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver.  And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.  Matthew 26:14-16  NASB

The betrayers did the will of another.  The woman did that which Satan suggested.

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.  Genesis 3:6  NASB

Judas, an initial member of the church, did the will of the chief priests.

Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of your is a devil?”  Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.  John 6:70-71  NASB

Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place; for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.  Judas then, having received the Roman cohort, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.  John 18:-3  NASB

Both of the betrayed accepted that which the betrayer brought.  The man Adam accepted without resistance that which the woman brought to him.

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband [the man] with her, and he ate.  Genesis 3:6  NASB

Jesus accepted without a fight that which Judas, the betrayer, brought to Him.

Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”  And immediately he came to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.”  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.  And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”  Matthew 26:48-54

Immediately after these events, both the man Adam and Jesus were naked and then clothed.  If we literally interpret the events in the garden of Eden, then the man Adam is found naked.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.  Genesis 3:7  NASB

Jesus was stripped naked by his captors and clothed for mocking.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.  And they stripped Him, and put a scarlet robe on Him.  Matthew 27:27-28  NASB

The woman and a member of the church are naked.  The woman was found naked.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.  Genesis 3:7  NASB

A member of the church was naked.

And a certain young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.  But he left the linen sheet behind, and escaped naked.  Mark 14:51-52  NASB

Both of the betrayed are accused.  The man Adam was accused.

Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”  And he said, “I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”  And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?  Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”  Genesis 3:9-11  NASB

Jesus was accused.

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer.  Matthew 27:12  NASB

The woman and a member of the church made a denial.  The woman denied responsibility for what she had done.

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”  And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”  Genesis 3:13  NASB

Peter, a member of the church, denied that he is one who followed Jesus, the Christ.

And they all left Him and fled.  …  And the maid saw him [Peter], and began once more to say to the bystanders, “This is one of them!”  But again he was denying it.  And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too.”  But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this fellow you are talking about!”  And immediately a cock crowed a second time.  And Peter remember how Jesus had made the remark to him, “Before a cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”  And he began to weep.  Mark 14:50,69-72  NASB

There was a curse from God Almighty associated with each of the betrayed.  The man Adam was given a curse.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; / Cursed is the ground because of you; / In toil you shall eat of it / All the days of your life. /  Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; / And you shall eat the plants of the field; / By the sweat of your face / You shall eat bread, / Till you return to the ground, / Because from it you were taken; / For you are dust, / And to dust you shall return.”  Genesis 3:17-19  NASB

Jesus was cursed because He was crucified on a tree.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us – for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERY ONE WHO HANGS ON TREE” —  Galatians 3:13  NASB

The woman and members of the church get new names.  The woman got a new name.

Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.  Genesis 3:20  NASB

Peter already had been given a new name.

And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter)  Mark 3:16  NASB

Others in the church will get a new name.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.”  Revelation 2:17  NASB

There was new clothing.  The woman (as well as the man Adam) was clothed by God Almighty.

And the LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife [the woman], and clothed them.  Genesis 3:21  NASB

The church was clothed by God Almighty.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  Galatians 3:27  NASB

The man Adam and Jesus went to new realms.  The man Adam was sent from the garden to cultivate the ground.

therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.  Genesis 3:23  NASB

Jesus ascended to heaven

So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.  Mark 16:19  NASB

Thus we can see the church’s role in the betrayal of Jesus.

After betrayal, there followed Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, bring us to the apostolic church.