Hi everyone!
The first series I will do will be about home churching. Others also call it an organic church. It's a new concept for some of us, and may even seem radical but home churches have actually been around much longer than many of us ever thought.
Personally, this is the direction I have chosen for my life and my children. The more I researched it on the Bible, the more convinced I am that Jesus Christ has established liberty for us in the ways we assemble together and worship. So many of us associate the word "church" with a building, and I am here to show you that the true definition of church is not of a building.
I left the church I went to before, and it's organized and limited mold when I realized there was so much more. None of this is a condemnation for traditional churches that many of you may still attend. I only hope this enriches you and even broaden your horizons. For some of you, this may be exactly what you need to find.
I am writing the references and some key points, I strongly encourage all of you to find it in your Bibles and double check everything!
The Corner Stone and Living Stone
Jesus announced that he was going to destroy the temple and raise it up in three days (found in John 2:19-21). Jesus was in the grave for three days and when he rose, he established a new temple. It was not of bricks and stone, but of his body as seen in verse 21.
We are the House of Christ (Hebrews 3:6)
We are a Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
We are the living stones in Christ's new Church (read 1 Peter 2:4-7)
Key Points:
-Living stones in the spiritual house
-Chosen of God, disallowed of men.
-A holy priesthood.
-Jesus is the Cornerstone, (also in Matthew 22:42, Psalm 118:22, Acts 4:11)
There are to be NO Lords over God's flock, only examples (1 Peter 5:3)
In Our Assembly:
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
*Question to Ponder: Are these verses saying we have to assemble together in a physical building, or is it calling us to simply gather together?
Home Churches in the Bible
The Bible lists there were churches taken place in people's homes multiple times in the New Testament. Paul and the disciples visited people often in diverse places and taught them this new way of churching.
-1 Corinthians 16:19 (House of Aquila and Priscilla)
-1 Corinthians 1:11 (House of Chloe)
-1 Corinthians 1:16 (Household of Stephanas)
-Romans 16:5 (House of Epaeneties)
-Romans 16:10 (Aristobielus' Household)
-Romans 16:11 (Narcissus Household)
-Phillippians 4:22 (Caesar's Household)
-Phillippians 4:15 (Nympha's House)
-2 Timothy 4:19 (Household of Onesiphorus)
-Philemon 1:2 (Apphia and Archippus Church at thy house)
This concludes the first part of studying the roots of home church, and I will be writing about what is the body of Christ, who the true head of the body is, and the New Covenant with Jesus this week. If you have any questions or have anything to add, feel free to comment!
Labels: Home Church
You are right in that WE are the church. The temples of the the Holy Spirit. And I do believe that home churches are biblical. I also believe that churches held in other buildings are also biblical (the believer's all met at Solomon's Porch--a public meeting place--in the book of Acts and it states that more were added to their number daily) When the church begins to grow that fast sometimes a home just can't contain it!! ^_^ And that is what we should all pray for--that more will be added to the family of God daily!
I look forward to reading more!
Love,
Joye
When I got saved, it was in the home of my Auntie who held church services in her living room. Since then, I've attended church anywhere from someone's living room or dining room to an office building or church building! Makes no difference to me if it's where the Lord has led me to be!
My only concern (as I have not studied organic churches) is also what Anonymous touched on: that as sheep, we have a shepherd in the local church to keep us accountable and sharpened. There's also a scripture (I can't find it right now) that says not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together. So I believe it's important to be accountable to others who are spiritually more mature than us. And that doesn't necessarily mean that you HAVE to go to a church. It's just something that you want to have in place in your life at all times.
Kind of like a stash of ice cream sandwiches.
Kind of.
:)
Bless you!
Beth
(*Shakes head*)
This is the worst kind of betrayal.
:(
I read about Solomon's Porch just today in fact. I read that it was an awning jutted out the back side of the temple. We have been meeting in other homes as well and we are growing so much right now.
I used to think bad of 'church hoppers' but when so many false prophets are around it makes it very difficult to stay joined into any one group.
I enjoy large worship gatherings and fellowship, but I prefer small group for learning. I am not opposed to it growing, but I am VERY apprehensive of starting a 'church'