The House Church:

[tbpew]

...from the "for what its worth" department.....

in the KJV Bible, the word CONGREGATION occurs 364 times [based on a PC Study concordance query]

The word CONGREGATION occurs:
363 times in the OT.
1 time in the NT.

The one NT reference that includes the word is supplied here:
"Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. " [Acts 13:43].

So on the mouth of 363 witnesses let something be considered; a former thing has been replaced with a NEW thing, a building with a body.

Why is it that something was quintessential PRIOR to a completed work at Calvary, has become completely absent now that ALL have access to the Holy Mountain?

[Bro-Larry]

[QUOTE=gloryseeker;403479

I have strong opinions about house churches, but understand my opinion is really limited to the American culture. While I know many disagree with me and I have seen people call others names like, "small thinkers" I see core value system in the majority that practice house churches. Maybe it doesn't apply to the handful that post in these threads, but what I have seen there is an overall laziness that comes with those who attend house churches.

[/QUOTE]

GlorySeeker,
I suppose you're "small thinker" comment, was aimed at my post?

I posted it thinking that house churches are instructed to divide when they reach twenty in number. It's a bit of a cliche among HCers to "think small". I did not have the more obvious interpretation in mind. I certainly meant no offence.

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Joelel

It's a total waste of money that could be going to the poor. .

The Bible re-lived. I found almost these exact same words found in the book of Matthew:

Matt 26:8-9
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. (KJV)

It seems to me that a case could be made for making streets out of gold, but when you have all the gold, who cares? It's not waste it's a lifestyle.

God's not poor, people are poor. And because of their poor thinking they have trouble pour an expensive oil to anoint the King.

[Bro-Larry]

None of us want to get out of our comfort zones. We like what we've always had. I admit it. Change scares the daylights out of me too, but it's very easy to judge anything. Just ask yourself, "Does it work? Is it effective in achieving the desired goal"?

What is the desired goal? To go and disciple all nations. I'm for using any and all methods to reach that goal.

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

None of us want to get out of our comfort zones. We like what we've always had. I admit it. Change scares the daylights out of me too

For me that statement is not true. I love change. I change things at times just so that I don't get in a rut.

The Bible states that we go from "faith to faith" and from "glory to glory". To me that means we are to always change.

But there there is the aspect that God changes not.

I would summarize that what changes is the intents, attitudes, or our hearts. The things we hold onto. We are to be conformed into the image of God. The important change is the change from within.

[Bro-Larry]

None of us want to get out of our comfort zones. We like what we've always had. I admit it. Change scares the daylights out of me too, but it's very easy to judge anything. Just ask yourself, "Does it work? Is it effective in achieving the desired goal"?

What is the desired goal? To go and disciple all nations. I'm for using any and all methods to reach that goal.

There were three thousand converts at Pentecost, with the Lord adding to them daily, (vs 47), then in (Acts 4:4) five thousand more were added. (Act 5:14) says, "multitudes both men and women", were added. Some worshipped in the temple and some were gathered in Solomon's porch. It just wasn't possible for all to have been assimilated into the temple, and the synagogues wouldn't have them. Neither was it possible to build enough church house to put them all into. The one structure with the capacity to handle all those new converts instantly was the house church.

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

For me that statement is not true. I love change. I change things at times just so that I don't get in a rut.

The Bible states that we go from "faith to faith" and from "glory to glory". To me that means we are to always change.

But there there is the aspect that God changes not.

I would summarize that what changes is the intents, attitudes, or our hearts. The things we hold onto. We are to be conformed into the image of God. The important change is the change from within.

Hey GS,

Change IS your comfort zone. Lol I'd have to say you are not ordinary!!

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by gloryseeker

The Bible re-lived. I found almost these exact same words found in the book of Matthew:

Matt 26:8-9
8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. (KJV)

It seems to me that a case could be made for making streets out of gold, but when you have all the gold, who cares? It's not waste it's a lifestyle.

God's not poor, people are poor. And because of their poor thinking they have trouble pour an expensive oil to anoint the King.

Yelp.I see it every place,preachers wanting poor peoples tithes and offerings for building funds they don't need.Building a new church building when the one they have seats 500 and they only have 50 people now.They drive around in $40,000 cars and live in $500,000 thousand homes and the poor have to take a bus to work.

Go sell your house and give to the poor.Acts2:44: And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45: And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need

Acts4:32: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.33: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34: Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35: And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need

1 Tim.5: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content

1 Tim.6:17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

None of us want to get out of our comfort zones. We like what we've always had. I admit it. Change scares the daylights out of me too, but it's very easy to judge anything. Just ask yourself, "Does it work? Is it effective in achieving the desired goal"?

What is the desired goal? To go and disciple all nations. I'm for using any and all methods to reach that goal.

There were three thousand converts at Pentecost, with the Lord adding to them daily, (vs 47), then in (Acts 4:4) five thousand more were added. (Act 5:14) says, "multitudes both men and women", were added. Some worshipped in the temple and some were gathered in Solomon's porch. It just wasn't possible for all to have been assimilated into the temple, and the synagogues wouldn't have them. Neither was it possible to build enough church house to put them all into. The one structure with the capacity to handle all those new converts instantly was the house church.

Jesus preached to thousands on the sea shore for how long, 3 days ? Pitch a tent or have a good old brush harbor two or three times a week,bring your own chair. Build a fire,roast some chicken,dance and shout,run though the woods. Oh yes preach the word,get people filled with the Holy Ghost and healed.

[ChristopherHall]

I think we’re loosing focus here.

There need not be any contention between those who prefer the house church model over the traditional church model. There are over 6 billion people that need to be reached on this planet. Not every one of them can be expected to attend a cookie cutter institutional church mold or forced into a cookie cutter house church mold. Some will always prefer traditional churches. Others will find the small house churches more to their liking. I think it’s arrogant to assume one size will fit all.

I know of a few people who are very well off that prefer a house church because they are so wealthy. They’ve experienced traditional churches trying to take advantage of them. It seems like once a church knows how loaded they are the pastor (denominational pastors) goes for their money. So they fear that so many traditional churches are just after their money. They just feel safer in a house church. You really can’t blame them. In the house church they attend they support their elder well and their assembly gives to a local charity regularly.

The rich and famous often have religious services in their homes or attend services in the homes of others without going to a local assembly because it might disrupt the assembly and because they don’t want their faith turned into a media circus.

The traditional church model isn’t for everyone.

Also traditional church isn’t for every circumstance. Obviously house church models are best where the church faces persecution. They are also best in impoverished countries and areas. What about densely populated urban cities? Sometimes it’s often very difficult to find affordable property in densely populated urban areas that will allow for substantial growth and/or expansion. Then you have to consider upkeep and the risk of robbery or vandalism. A well organized network of ministers planting house churches in these areas would stand a good chance of reaching their local target population. For example let’s say you had five ministers each willing to plant house churches in a city. Their mission would be to train and equip as many as possible to establish more house churches. These ministers could train up additional ministers out of this network and the ministers of the network could easily make their rounds through the established households to ensure that they are doing well. There would be no limit to the possible growth of such a network. Wherever there was a roof, there could be an assembly. They could specialize in a metro-ministry of sorts by meeting and having studies in various coffee shops and restaurants, thereby taking “church” to the streets, markets, and homes of the community. Could you imagine seeing a group of between 10 and 20 people pulling into the parking lot of the local coffee shop, they get out of their cars and join hands in a circle. There they pray for one another and their meeting right there in the parking lot. Next they break and move into the coffee shop. They purchase their coffees, lattes, or what have you and move into a corner of the shop. All open their Bibles, a short and respectable prayer is offered and the study begins. It’s an interactive study beginning with a reading. They are encouraged to be both bold and respectful. There is discussion about the Bible, questions are asked and answered, there is laughter, and sometimes a somber quiet over the group as one member expounds upon a serious issue facing the world today. All the time…a room of lost and dying people has an opportunity to listen in and observe from the safety of their seats and/or booths. Or they could ignore this religious conversation and go about their own discussions. There will be instances when a stranger asks a question.

I’ve seen it. After men’s prayer at our church on Saturday mornings a group of us guys go down to local Tim Horton’s for coffee and breakfast. There are typically about 10 of us including the pastor. We’ve discussed some rather deep truths of the Bible there and we know some of those lost souls are listening in. Just this past Saturday morning our Pastor was discussing with us the contents of the Ark of the Testimony and explaining what these contents represented and how the blood of Jesus covers us. It was awesome. About maybe three weeks ago a man, who attended a Church of Christ church approached us and asked what church we belonged to. That opened a door for the some of us to talk to him about our church and discuss what we believe. It was absolutely wonderful.

When it comes to outreach we often focus on programs and techniques. But in reality everyday real life offers us multitudes of opportunities to live the Christian life out before a lost and dying world. It’s not a “program”…it’s a way of living our lives. We get into this institutionalized church mode where we attend our “church function”, “at the church”, and then go out to eat or out for coffee and then we “behave” and try not to draw attention to ourselves. We feel we did out duty and had a good service “at the church building”. But my dear brothers and sisters…the church meeting (wherever we meet) is only training or preparation for the mission conducted in Applebee’s or the local Tim Horton’s. One thing I love about house churches is that they have church anywhere and take church anywhere. Their “outings” are not just “to get a bite to eat after church”, their outings are the mission trips where they actually have church and speak to the lost.

I can give example after example from Scripture showing the Church “going” to public places to speak the Word of Life and meeting from house to house to encourage and fellowship one another. Can anyone give me just one Scripture showing where a sinner was, “brought to church”, in the New Testament (book of Acts) Church?

Regardless as to what model of church one prefers...we could learn a lot from these house church folks.