Lets talk about House Churches

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Well, everyone could turn on their webcams.

I agree, it's far from ideal. But I do think it will afford opportunities to evangelize remote areas.

And once those people are saved, and they begin to evangelize their communities, then it begins to really fulfill the great commission.

Absolutely.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Interesting thoughts, Michael.

I do know that doctrinal discussions can get much deeper online than they generally do 'in person'. My beliefs have been challenged more, and I've had to dig deeper into the Word to see if it supports my belief, since I've been on AFF than at any point previous in my lifetime of church attendance.

(Now I'm doing a Pel and responding to my own post. )

At church when the preacher preaches, you feel pretty uncomfortable if you disagree. If he says something, and in your head you're thinking - 'I don't think that's right. No, that scripture does not mean that.' - it can make you feel like you're being rebellious.

Someone told me that they feel like they shouldn't even bother to study things out for themselves, because they will think something means one thing, and then the preacher will get up and say it means something else. So they just figure - why bother? Just let the preacher figure it out and tell me. The preacher's right, and you're wrong (if you disagree) is pretty much the prevalent attitude in a lot of churches.

But online..... our position doesn't matter. The Word does. If ManofWord (who is pastor) says the Bible says something... if it doesn't say that, about five people will immediately point it out. (not saying he does that, just using him for example, sorry MOW ) It truly is iron sharpening iron. I'm very careful when I post that the Bible says something, because I know it had better say it, or I'm going to get called on it. And I think that's GREAT.

This seems to be something that is really missing in our current church structure. I wonder if it will be more successful in a home group setting?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Much depends on how we define "Church". How about this definition?

15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim. 3:15-16

If Church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" that brings us to the conclusion that a great number of groups that meet in buildings may NOT qualify as a Church.

"behave in the house of God". Is that not referring to a particular place or gathering?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

This video moved me deeply.

http://vimeo.com/4678782

Who here participated in a house church?

I have commented that this is a good video.

I was wrong.

This is a great video. I had not seen it all the way through until just now and, as Apocrypha said, it moved me deeply.

It moved me to tears. Thanks for sharing this video Apocrypha. I have forwarded it on to many in an email.

I would like to say that, for myself, house church calls to me like nothing else has. My wife and others have told me time and time again that I would make a great pastor at a church. I have considered it and have even preached for several months at a church considering making a move in that direction. But I can't shake the knowledge that there is no escaping the nature of the beast.

House church is the only model that I know of that will not eventually force you into the same road that the other churches go down. You will eventually get a store front. This will cause bills. You will eventually buy land and build a building. This causes more bills. You will eventually be worried about offerings and money. You will eventually have to push for that big offering not even realizing that you have already spent away money that could have ministered to the needs of the people.

There is no escaping it no matter how good your intentions are and no matter how honorable a person you are. It is the nature of the beast and you can't fight it. You can only choose to not join with it.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

"behave in the house of God". Is that not referring to a particular place or gathering?

Well yes I think so. Dont get me wrong. I think its preferable to meet with as many believers as possible in the right context. When Paul spoke of gathering together he meant the New Testament Church that was founded on the apostles doctrine.

Churches of today IMO do not compare with the ones in the first century. If we just look at "Apostolic Churches" for example. If Oneness and Acts 2:38 were the only teachings of note they would be fine.

In other areas they teach as much error as other groups. So altho I do think there should be a local gathering to me that truth is not bigger than the truth of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

So to me to have a house Church just to be different makes no sense. To have house Church when your doctrine is the same as a larger Church nearby makes no sense.

Paul said altho his body was not there that he was indeed present with the saints who were far away from him.

5: For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Col. 2:5

Isnt that much like meeting over the net?

Here is an example.

There is no Apostolic Oneness Church in your area. Only Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist. You hear that you could meet online from your home with a Oneness group on Paltalk.

What would a Oneness Pentecostal do?

Could your online meeting "in spirit" be the house of God?

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I wonder if it will be more successful in a home group setting?

It's according to WHO's home you are in!

[ChTatum]

Who fills the office of bishop in a house church?

[ChTatum]

I am somewhat ignorant, but it seems to me that in Acts 2:46, house "church" was done in addition to temple attendance, not instead of.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

Who fills the office of bishop in a house church?

There would be multiple bishops as there come those available who fulfill the biblical requirements for being one.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

I am somewhat ignorant, but it seems to me that in Acts 2:46, house "church" was done in addition to temple attendance, not instead of.

(After re-reading my post I want to state from the start that I am simply posing questions. Reading my post the questions seem a little confrontational and pushy... I don't mean them to be that way. I am simply posing a few questions.)

Is it your opinion that the Christian church attended temples to worship?

Do you feel that the jews were allowing Christian church services to go on in them and were allowing people to worship Jesus in the synagogues & temples?

I think that they were going to the synagogues & temples quite often but these trips were in outreach. This is why they kept throwing them in jail for preaching Jesus in the synagogues and when they released them they told them.... I'm going to let you go but don't go preaching Jesus in the temples anymore...

After which they made a bee line to the temple and started preaching Jesus again.

They certainly did attend the synagogues & temples but I don't see any biblical reason to feel that this was where they held Christian services that recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The recognition of Jesus as the son of God was what got Jesus hung on the cross in the first place.

I don't see the jews then turning around and allowing services perpetuating this same doctrine to be held in the temples & synagogues.

They certainly went to the temples & synagogues regularly... but they were attempting to reach the jews who had not yet received Jesus as their messiah.