Quote:
Originally Posted by Amanah
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Rather they be called "house churches", "care groups", "friendship groups", or "home Bible studies", small groups are essential to growth and building more intimate bonds between believers. This helps increase a retention that facilitates.... growth.
Now, in our eyes a "house church" is unique because each elder or head of household where believers gather administers water baptism and the Lord's Supper for the home based group. Also, most Christian discipline takes place at the house church level. Also, in our network, the local house church is an autonomous body that can set certain standards for itself as they search the Scriptures. So, within the network, you might see a wide variety of opinions or Scriptural applications in non-essential matters. The matters that an Apostolic house church network might chose not compromise on, points that define them, could be:
-Oneness of God
-Acts 2:38 salvation
-Priesthood of all believers
-The church being a body of people, not a building or organization
-A financial plan of steward ship (giving or tithing)
Beyond these things, a certain flexibility can be allowed for each house church and they still remain in the network. Yes, there will be some house churches more conservative or liberal on some issues than others. But that allows a variety of options for the seeker to find a spiritual home within the body. The primary vision of maintaining a love for God and others cannot be overemphasized.
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