why do you like church buildings for meetings?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I don't see anything in scripture that condemns large gatherings of believers. Ergo, I have a problem with any believer who condemns Christians for the size of their buildings or congregations.

See? I really do not understand how so many of you consistently misunderstand what 'house church' is all about.

NOBODY is 'condemning Christians for the size of their buildings or congregations'.

My original post pointed out that 'large gatherings' are not limited only to institutional big-synagogue-style Christianity.

But somehow, this is construed to mean I am 'condemning Christians for' having large meetings? Or even large meeting-places?

The 'house church' concept is apparently over too many people's heads. It is not just about 'do church in a house not a church building'. It has nothing to do with Houston's peurile fascination with 'steeple envy'. It has nothing to do with 'condemning large gatherings'. It also has nothing to do with 'having small, intimate togetherness'.

YES it has to do with the fact that large churches, TODAY, following the MODERN APPROACH to church, tend to enable too many people to 'get lost in the crowd'.

The early church in the Bible was a LARGE church. 3000 new converts in ONE DAY? With more added DAILY?

Yet it was also a house church.

I am sure some folks are thinking 'but how is that possible? Who's house could hold all those people?' And in thinking this, they would indicate they do not see the forest for the trees. In fact, it indicates they cannot see beyond their own modern way of doing church. They imagine 'house church' to be simply what they already know of as 'church' transplanted into someone's living room.

That is not at all what apostolic, biblical house 'churching' is about.

Apostolic, biblical house church has far more to do with church government, discipline, and the nature and purpose of 'the worship service' (so called), the nature and method of evangelism, the purpose, mission and authority of the church itself, than it does with 'the building the church meets in'.

Houses are important, not because the HOUSE (doma) is important, but because the OIKOS (household) is important.

I fear many simply cannot see the distinction, and it is probably best.

Everyone has a place, and a purpose, and to everything there is a time and a season.