I believe it should be noted that... Pentecost happened in a house as opposed to a religious temple or dedicated structure:
Acts 2:2 “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole
house where they were sitting.”
Also, we read that Christians regularly meet in homes, and that those persecuting them knew they could find Christians gathering in homes:
Acts 2:46 “And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart”
Acts 5:42 “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Acts 8:3 “But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”
Acts 9:11 “And the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying.’”
Acts 12:12 “And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.”
Acts 16:40 “And they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.”
Acts 18:7 “And he departed from there and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue.”
Acts 20:20 “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house.”
Acts 21:8 “And on the next day we departed and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.”
Romans 16:5 “also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.”
1 Cor. 16:19 “The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”
Col. 4:15 “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.”
1 Tim. 5:13-14 “And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.”
Philemon 1:2 “and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house”
2 John 1:10 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;”
When writing to the Corinthian Christians Paul illustrated that their gatherings should have the following elements and guiding principles (
I Corinthians 14:26-38):
- Everyone is able to bring a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation to share at the gathering. However, there must be order.
- Gift of tongues coupled with interpretation, is to be presented by two or at most three individuals. If there is no interpreter, the one feeling the tongues should remain silent and not address the group.
- Two or three anointed teachers (prophets) are to speak and guide the meeting.
- If a saint attending has a revelation or something to share, whoever is speaking must stop and give them the floor so that all might be able to prophesy, learn, and be encouraged. Meetings are to be discussion based.
- Those who address the group must realize that their spirits are subject to the anointed teachers (prophets) guiding the group.
- Women (or anyone for that matter) are not to use the time for socializing or excessive talking .
- Those who think they are spiritual Christians should acknowledge that this order of gathering is a command from the Lord.
If our "form of church" will not allow for these kinds of meetings... we are failing to meet as the Apostle Paul admonished the early church to meet. It doesn't matter if it is in a house, a park, a coffee shop, a library, a book store, a bus stop, a town square, church building or wherever. The point is that the above elements should be present. They are to be elder guided and interactive in nature. If a meeting is too big to facilitate this, it fails to allow for the "body ministry" Paul admonishes us to have. Most completely ignore that Paul states that this order of gathering is a "
command from the Lord" (
I Corinthians 14:37).
Here we have a clear and plain commandment. However, it is treated by most today as though it is merely an option. I do respect how many (but not all) traditional churches provide for small group ministries wherein this kind of body life can be experienced in care groups and such. However, these small groups are typically regarded as being less significant and subordinate to the larger gatherings held in their church buildings. In fact, this should be reversed. Early Christians primarily met in homes. Larger gatherings were typically for a specific purpose and were supplemental in nature.
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