Apostolic house churches?

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

we have lots of house churches in Brazil...but we also have church buildings...no mattter where you meet people are people and problems arise...I do think I know enough about the Bible to know there will be a time there will be no freedom to meet in buildings...of cours most Americans laugh at this thought but once China did too...

Amen. It wont be all that long before ALL CHRISTIANS will be meeting in homes.

[renee819]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

we have lots of house churches in Brazil...but we also have church buildings...no mattter where you meet people are people and problems arise...I do think I know enough about the Bible to know there will be a time there will be no freedom to meet in buildings...of cours most Americans laugh at this thought but once China did too...

AMEN! And I think God is getting us ready for it.

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Just because people agree on Oneness and Acts 2:38 does not mean they could fellowship in peace in a home Church. There is more to the New Testament Church that is important than just these things. Having Church in the home is not the cure all some think it is. Some see home Church as a way they can escape some heavy handed Preacher and saints would be able to teach whatever they think is right. You can wind up in just as bad of shape with that than with an institutional Church.

To insure that "unity" is the norm in a Home Church then at its beginning there MUST be a clearly defined set of rules established to which each participant agrees to adhere. Indeed, this is what "fellowship" implies - friendliness and companionship based on shared interests; a group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim.

The "cardinal rule" of every Home Church must be that "all things be done decently and in order" (I Corinthians 14:40, KJV). For this to be realized then in each Home Church there must also be one member (chosen by unanimous consent), charged with the responsibility of insuring every member comply with the rules so that "all things be done unto edifying" (I Corinthians 14:26, KJV).

Recognizing, and acknowledging, that "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (I Corinthians 14:32, KJV), then it must also be understood that participants in a Home Church must not be allowed to simply "teach whatever they think is right," rather everything proclaimed as truth by members must be fully validated by the language of the Bible. Of course it is recognized that difference of opinions concerning the manner in which various scriptural statements are interpreted will arise, however, when this occurs it must be recognized that (as stated by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:18-19, KJV) such ”divisions” evidence the presence of ”heresies” which must be addressed immediately. No discourse should be allowed to advance beyond that point until every member becomes ”perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” about the matter (see I Corinthians 1:10, KJV).

I consider that those who elect to participate in Home Churches (choosing to reject becoming "just another number" in an organized, hierarchal orientated institutions wherein a singular individual establishes the agenda and controls every facet of activities), do so that they might exert their best efforts to adhere to the pattern of corporate Christian church activities as clearly set forth by Paul in the words of I Corinthians 14:26-31, to wit

"How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Lafon

To insure that "unity" is the norm in a Home Church then at its beginning there MUST be a clearly defined set of rules established to which each participant agrees to adhere. Indeed, this is what "fellowship" implies - friendliness and companionship based on shared interests; a group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim.

The "cardinal rule" of every Home Church must be that "all things be done decently and in order" (I Corinthians 14:40, KJV). For this to be realized then in each Home Church there must also be one member (chosen by unanimous consent), charged with the responsibility of insuring every member comply with the rules so that "all things be done unto edifying" (I Corinthians 14:26, KJV).

Recognizing, and acknowledging, that "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (I Corinthians 14:32, KJV), then it must also be understood that participants in a Home Church must not be allowed to simply "teach whatever they think is right," rather everything proclaimed as truth by members must be fully validated by the language of the Bible. Of course it is recognized that difference of opinions concerning the manner in which various scriptural statements are interpreted will arise, however, when this occurs it must be recognized that (as stated by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:18-19, KJV) such ”divisions” evidence the presence of ”heresies” which must be addressed immediately. No discourse should be allowed to advance beyond that point until every member becomes ”perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” about the matter (see I Corinthians 1:10, KJV).

I consider that those who elect to participate in Home Churches (choosing to reject becoming "just another number" in an organized, hierarchal orientated institutions wherein a singular individual establishes the agenda and controls every facet of activities), do so that they might exert their best efforts to adhere to the pattern of corporate Christian church activities as clearly set forth by Paul in the words of I Corinthians 14:26-31, to wit

"How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."

This is an excellent outline for home churches. However, when new members begin to attend, sometimes it is difficult to maintain that balance. Easier in theory, then in practice.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

This is an excellent outline for home churches. However, when new members begin to attend, sometimes it is difficult to maintain that balance. Easier in theory, then in practice.

Seems to me the answer is to not try to 'recruit' people from existing denominational churches, but instead to grow the church (add new members) via evangelism of the the lost, unbelievers, etc.

When evangelism is less about one's individual 'ticket to heaven' and more about getting on board with what God is doing (calling out a people for His name, establishing the ekklesia of His Kingdom) then new converts would join the meeting with a certain understanding from the get-go, namely that they are joing a participatory church following Biblical order and guidelines.

When, however, evangelism is more about getting disgruntled folks from denominations to join in one's 'new thing' that is 'cooler and more exciting' then all sorts of problems are bound to arise.

Not saying denominational believers can't be welcomed in an apostolic home church, but I keep thinking about what Paul said:

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: Rom 15:20.

Seems Paul wanted to build churches based on brand new converts, not on somebody else's converts or members of existing churches etc.

Now, if a church comes into existence because several apostolic brethren decide to form a fellowship, then at the beginning they must come to agreement on what they believe and how they will walk, for 'can two walk together EXCEPT they be agreed?' They must decide on the 'essentials' as well as what will remain 'liberty issues', and decide how they shall admit new members.

The problem I have found is that very few people these days are actually interested in finding out what the bible actually SAYS, instead many just go along with their traditions, 'well that's how momma done it so that's how it must be', or they have the attitude that 'it doesn't really matter as long as we just love Jesus'.

Seems only new converts, or those converts who spend little to no time in an institutional church setting of whatever denominational flavor, actually have some zeal for the things of God. Not saying there aren't people in denominations who don't thirst for God's truth, but they seem to be few in number. Many are just content to keep everything the way it is.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Lafon

To insure that "unity" is the norm in a Home Church then at its beginning there MUST be a clearly defined set of rules established to which each participant agrees to adhere. Indeed, this is what "fellowship" implies - friendliness and companionship based on shared interests; a group of people meeting to pursue a shared interest or aim.

The "cardinal rule" of every Home Church must be that "all things be done decently and in order" (I Corinthians 14:40, KJV). For this to be realized then in each Home Church there must also be one member (chosen by unanimous consent), charged with the responsibility of insuring every member comply with the rules so that "all things be done unto edifying" (I Corinthians 14:26, KJV).

Recognizing, and acknowledging, that "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (I Corinthians 14:32, KJV), then it must also be understood that participants in a Home Church must not be allowed to simply "teach whatever they think is right," rather everything proclaimed as truth by members must be fully validated by the language of the Bible. Of course it is recognized that difference of opinions concerning the manner in which various scriptural statements are interpreted will arise, however, when this occurs it must be recognized that (as stated by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 11:18-19, KJV) such ”divisions” evidence the presence of ”heresies” which must be addressed immediately. No discourse should be allowed to advance beyond that point until every member becomes ”perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” about the matter (see I Corinthians 1:10, KJV).

I consider that those who elect to participate in Home Churches (choosing to reject becoming "just another number" in an organized, hierarchal orientated institutions wherein a singular individual establishes the agenda and controls every facet of activities), do so that they might exert their best efforts to adhere to the pattern of corporate Christian church activities as clearly set forth by Paul in the words of I Corinthians 14:26-31, to wit

"How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."

Jesus and the apostles taught 'daily', even 'from house to house' in some cases, so it seems the original church maintained a discipleship program of some sort, whereby everyone was kept pretty much on the same page as much as possible.

We probably need to get back to the original theme, which is 'the DISCIPLES were first called Christians...' ie the original Christians were disciples, or STUDENTS, of the Lord.

I think this might help negate any tendencies to introduce wild heresies and having folks blown about with every wind and weight of doctrine?

[Scott Hutchinson]

This might help.
http://s15.zetaboards.com/ApostolicsAtHome/index/

[Scott Hutchinson]

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/cmccoy

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/cmccoy

From the link -

Chad McCoy is an Ekklesiastical priest in association with the Ekklesia of Jesus Christ network of House Churches.
A biblical teacher and Christian writer, he currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio.

Somehow, the bolded part kind of makes me think that website might not be what I'm lookin' fer...