We're Not Putting X-Mas Trees Up! - Page 63

Evang.Benincasa · #**621** 11-20-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

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.

How did you prove that? Did they give the dimensions of the homes in the book of Acts? What are the measurements? Are you feeling ok?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

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.

Wow, where are the measurements? 120 people gathered into a small cottage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

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.

Again, no size indicated. Antipas, they weren't living in duplexes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

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.

Again, no size indicated, Antipas they weren't living in condos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

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.

Nice attempt at a Frank Viola rabbit hole, but they weren't Americans, they were first century Christians who didn't have anything to do with Frank's Tupperware parties for Jesus.

We don't know the exact size but we do know that they were families who had room enough for large groups. Look for yourself, do research other than George or Frank.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Antipas · #**622** 11-20-2008, 11:47 PM

Bro. EB....you're a bent lost cause bro. Totally bent. All I can do is pray for you.

Evang.Benincasa · #**623** 11-20-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

Here's an interesting article I had read.

================================================== ==

Antipas, you want me to answer someone else's material? Are you feeling ok?
All this because you don't want to admit that xmas is extra-Biblical, and nonsensical man made entertainment for Churchtarians.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Antipas · #**624** 11-20-2008, 11:51 PM

EB, I don't doubt that there were larger homes with larger groups gathered informally on occasion. However, the vast majority of homes throughout Judea were not very large. Archeology has revealed that.

Antipas · #**625** 11-20-2008, 11:53 PM

EB, you don't even believe Jesus is coming back for his church as he promised....

I think you have bigger issues than Christmas.

Evang.Benincasa · #**626** 11-20-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

Bro. EB....you're a bent lost cause bro. Totally bent.

Really, you’re the one trying to prove xmas is viable, and churches in the first century were supposed to consist of 15-20 people? Get real.

Don't get upset, just go and strengthen your arguments.

In Jesus name

Brother Benicasa
www.OnTimeJournal.com

Evang.Benincasa · #**627** 11-20-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antipas

EB, I don't doubt that there were larger homes with larger groups gathered informally on occasion. However, the vast majority of homes throughout Judea were not very large. Archeology has revealed that.

Paul and the apostles preached all over the empire. Like I said they met all over the place. In the first century Judea had villas, and the early Christians gathered in these places. Also some were still meeting at the temple in the courts.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Antipas · #**628** 11-20-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Really, you’re the one trying to prove xmas is viable, and churches in the first century were supposed to consist of 15-20 people? Get real.

Don't get upset, just go and strengthen your arguments.

In Jesus name

Brother Benicasa
www.OnTimeJournal.com

I'm not all that upset. Worried about you a bit, but not upset.

Bro...you can believe that the average Judean lived in big homes that facilitated tons of guests. We know that's not the case for the average home in Judea. One of the oldest buildings found in Iraq where Christians gathered dates to nearly the third century after Christ...and it only facilitated between 25 and 30 people.

Antipas · #**629** 11-20-2008, 11:57 PM

The point about Christmas is that I believe we have a right to take dominion over it and glorify Christ with it. You on the other hand believe in running scared from holidays.

EB...how old are your kids?