EB, the first persecutors were the Jews. They persecuted Christians throughout Judea. Persecution started long before the Romans began persecution. The Jews didn't tolerate large gatherings of Christians. In fact we see consistent references to Christians meeting in homes throughout the Scriptures...we're talking about the homes of Judea...they weren't very large. Here are some Scriptures for you....
The Church began in a house:
AC 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
The Disciples proclaimed the word house to house:
AC 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
When Saul began to destroy the church he went house to house:
Acts 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Many Believers were gathered at a house for prayer:
AC 12:12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.
They met in Lydia's house:
Acts 16:40- After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.
The Corinthian Revival began in a house:
AC 18:7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
Paul preached from house to house:
Acts 20:20- You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Paul preached in his own home in Rome:
AC 28:30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Priscill and Acquilla had a church in their house:
RO 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
RO 16:5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
(Also
1 Corinthians 16:19)
The church that met in the home of Nympha:
Colossians 4:15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house
Interesting note: no male leader is mentioned here.
Paul Addresses Archiippus and the church that meets in his home:
PHM 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home:
This was Apostolic practice. It continued for nearly 250 years. The "church building" as we know it was introduced by the Catholics to control and indoctrinate the church.
My point is that you're just as Catholic as those you condemn.
Threaded Mode
