Is house church biblical?

[Drew]

The NT is clear that this world is fallen and corrupt

The more complete picture is that God, in Christ, has been a reclamation project, re-working this world:

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven

all creation is awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God- all of them so that the creation may be released from its vanity but it has not yet been released in full.

You have just told us that the creation is going to burned up. Now you seem to be saying it will be rescued. Please tell us which position you hold.

May i ask who you learn this from?

Paul and the authors of the 4 gospels.

......and to make the world seem good

I never said the world was "good" - I said it was being redeemed. Or if I did say or imply it was "good", that was an incomplete answer on my part. God is redeeming all of His creation. Our final home - the eternal abode of redeemed saints will be an embodied physcial existence here on earth. Heaven is nice, but don't get too comfortable there - you will not there forever.

 

[shad]

I still host them

Has anyone told you that you look like Jesus ? .........


:biglaugh

Do you know how Jesus look like?

.

 

[Adullam]

Adullum,

How does one go about establishing Elders and Deacons in such said house church? Is one house considered the head while other houses come into submission?

An elder is usually the head of the household that is hosting the gatherings. We can determine whether a man is up to the task by looking at his own household. Are the children exemplary? We follow Paul's advice on the matter. The home of an elder should be a place of order and encouragement for all. If it is not, the people will stop coming. There are no mechanisms to keep a fellowship going. The church is always looking to God for it's very survival. This keeps us sharp! ;)

In a gathering of churches we have plural leadership. Each church is unique and has a different set of gifts and experiences. We try to have all resources functioning towards growth in Christ. Elders seek to raise up others for Christ. Some groups are stronger than others but no influence or advice is given unless asked for. We respect one another in this. We are to esteem others as greater than ourselves, after all. We have found that others will follow an example long before they will ask for anyone to intervene. Churches tend to try to emulate the good things they see in other churches.

Deacons are servants that look after the needs in the Body. They serve others. We recognize 2 people as deacons in the church here. One, a brother, opens his house to men whether staying or passing through. A real gem of a brother. The other, a sister does the same for the women and/or families. These people are what the Lord has given to us here. We thank God for these.

We recognize the gifts in people and confirm them in it when we see that they are doing it unto the Lord. They are recognized through their functioning. We do not have any positions to fill. A person must be seen as faithful and already doing the role before he/she is recognized as such.
Hope that answers your query!

 

[stovebolts]

Thank you for your explanation. Actually, I don't see much of a difference on how you conduct yourselves as we do at our congregation.


However, what do you do when various elders among differing house churches have a major disagreement? How is it resolved without that house church splitting from the rest of the house churches?

 

[Adullam]

Thank you for your explanation. Actually, I don't see much of a difference on how you conduct yourselves as we do at our congregation.

However, what do you do when various elders among differing house churches have a major disagreement? How is it resolved without that house church splitting from the rest of the house churches?

We are human and things will go wrong from time to time. If there is a disagreement among the elders there is usually a cooling off period where there is little or no communication. I am thinking of a specific instance where a very young church was seeking to correct a more experienced church in the way they were functioning. This took place last year. There was a dissent in the eldership. However God looked after the situation. The elder of the young church was called away to a job overseas. The dissent was removed.

We see so often God's hand in the headship of His church. Our children benefit from this front line position that being the church where we are affords. We also see, unfortunately, people who pass through as visitors being afflicted with sickness or misfortune who do not fear the Lord in church. We fear to be displeasing to God. The presence of God is the strength of our encounters together.

 

[Cornelius]

Adullum,

How does one go about establishing Elders and Deacons in such said house church? Is one house considered the head while other houses come into submission?

An elder is usually the head of the household that is hosting the gatherings. We can determine whether a man is up to the task by looking at his own household. Are the children exemplary? We follow Paul's advice on the matter. The home of an elder should be a place of order and encouragement for all. If it is not, the people will stop coming. There are no mechanisms to keep a fellowship going. The church is always looking to God for it's very survival. This keeps us sharp! ;)

In a gathering of churches we have plural leadership. Each church is unique and has a different set of gifts and experiences. We try to have all resources functioning towards growth in Christ. Elders seek to raise up others for Christ. Some groups are stronger than others but no influence or advice is given unless asked for. We respect one another in this. We are to esteem others as greater than ourselves, after all. We have found that others will follow an example long before they will ask for anyone to intervene. Churches tend to try to emulate the good things they see in other churches.

Deacons are servants that look after the needs in the Body. They serve others. We recognize 2 people as deacons in the church here. One, a brother, opens his house to men whether staying or passing through. A real gem of a brother. The other, a sister does the same for the women and/or families. These people are what the Lord has given to us here. We thank God for these.

We recognize the gifts in people and confirm them in it when we see that they are doing it unto the Lord. They are recognized through their functioning. We do not have any positions to fill. A person must be seen as faithful and already doing the role before he/she is recognized as such.
Hope that answers your query!

Plus we in South Africa recognize those like John and accept them as part of us , even though he and his are in another country. We have this all over the world (The Internet has helped a lot with this ) We are in contact with the church all over the world. Today I have spoken to some of the church elders in Pensacola and with John in Canada. We are also dealing with the church in Germany , but we have no name other than Christians. But we think alike. We somehow are in agreement about Scripture, and yet we have never met before and come out of different backgrounds and most have come out of some denomination.

 

[Adullam]

Adullum,

How does one go about establishing Elders and Deacons in such said house church? Is one house considered the head while other houses come into submission?

An elder is usually the head of the household that is hosting the gatherings. We can determine whether a man is up to the task by looking at his own household. Are the children exemplary? We follow Paul's advice on the matter. The home of an elder should be a place of order and encouragement for all. If it is not, the people will stop coming. There are no mechanisms to keep a fellowship going. The church is always looking to God for it's very survival. This keeps us sharp! ;)

In a gathering of churches we have plural leadership. Each church is unique and has a different set of gifts and experiences. We try to have all resources functioning towards growth in Christ. Elders seek to raise up others for Christ. Some groups are stronger than others but no influence or advice is given unless asked for. We respect one another in this. We are to esteem others as greater than ourselves, after all. We have found that others will follow an example long before they will ask for anyone to intervene. Churches tend to try to emulate the good things they see in other churches.

Deacons are servants that look after the needs in the Body. They serve others. We recognize 2 people as deacons in the church here. One, a brother, opens his house to men whether staying or passing through. A real gem of a brother. The other, a sister does the same for the women and/or families. These people are what the Lord has given to us here. We thank God for these.

We recognize the gifts in people and confirm them in it when we see that they are doing it unto the Lord. They are recognized through their functioning. We do not have any positions to fill. A person must be seen as faithful and already doing the role before he/she is recognized as such.
Hope that answers your query!

Plus we in South Africa recognize those like John and accept them as part of us , even though he and his are in another country. We have this all over the world (The Internet has helped a lot with this ) We are in contact with the church all over the world. Today I have spoken to some of the church elders in Pensacola and with John in Canada. We are also dealing with the church in Germany , but we have no name other than Christians. But we think alike. We somehow are in agreement about Scripture, and yet we have never met before and come out of different backgrounds and most have come out of some denomination.

Likewise bru! We have met many people whom God has prepared through the Spirit. It is amazing to find people all over the world whom God is teaching the same things.

We recognize Cornelius as a functioning elder where he is in SA. Man, I just wish we could minister together at times! :yes

 

[justvisiting]

Well, my first pastor used to do this. He would invite us over to his home. One reason why I tend to think a normal church is best is because a trained minister is usually in charge.
I agree with previous statements also, that the early believers did this (meeting in homes) mostly out of persecution.
The advantage to the home Bible studies is I get to eat delicious cakes and cookies and have coffee.
It's funny but we even used to do that in the church basement a lot. We were very close to each other.

Really, I find something special about a church. It's a planned meeting. I kind of get prepped for it...and their's a nice organ...it's a nice big building for all the reverberation and echos when we sing. It just feels different than a home teaching situation. I consider it the house of the Lord. Usually, when a church is built...it is prayed over and sanctified unto the Lord. I consider that honorable before the Lord.
Anywhere, where believers meet can be wonderful though, even going for an outing at the gym to play badminton. It's all part of fellowship and friendships and building trust with one another.
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
There is one last thing to add in. Some people just decide to go to church on the spur of the moment...some that are not even in your congregation. The advantage of having a church building with an address is it allows for a little more impersonal setting than a house...where just by chance you may have someone visit that is ready to accept the Lord...or even be interested in returning.
Churches also usually have statements of faith that a visitor can read and decide whether they approve. I like that also. It provides a situation where they can visit and not feel pressured or obligated...I think that is useful, also.

 

[Adullam]

Well, my first pastor used to do this. He would invite us over to his home. One reason why I tend to think a normal church is best is because a trained minister is usually in charge.
I agree with previous statements also, that the early believers did this (meeting in homes) mostly out of persecution.
The advantage to the home Bible studies is I get to eat delicious cakes and cookies and have coffee.
It's funny but we even used to do that in the church basement a lot. We were very close to each other.

Really, I find something special about a church. It's a planned meeting. I kind of get prepped for it...and their's a nice organ...it's a nice big building for all the reverberation and echos when we sing. It just feels different than a home teaching situation. I consider it the house of the Lord. Usually, when a church is built...it is prayed over and sanctified unto the Lord. I consider that honorable before the Lord.
Anywhere, where believers meet can be wonderful though, even going for an outing at the gym to play badminton. It's all part of fellowship and friendships and building trust with one another.
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psa 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
There is one last thing to add in. Some people just decide to go to church on the spur of the moment...some that are not even in your congregation. The advantage of having a church building with an address is it allows for a little more impersonal setting than a house...where just by chance you may have someone visit that is ready to accept the Lord...or even be interested in returning.
Churches also usually have statements of faith that a visitor can read and decide whether they approve. I like that also. It provides a situation where they can visit and not feel pressured or obligated...I think that is useful, also.

We have a café outreach to the lost. It sounds like your church! We have stage performances in an impersonal setting there.

 

[justvisiting]

Yes, that is a good avenue for inviting people that might not otherwise go to a meeting. Music affects the emotions, and can help the nonreceptive be a little more receptive. I think the Spirit can work through that also.

 

[shad]

There are plenty of corruption created by organization as we can plainly see from existing organizations. Organization is created by power hungly men, imho.

I politely suggest that you are buying into the false dualism that sees "this world" as corrupt and fallen and to be contrasted with a "spiritual" world that is good. 2000 years ago, with the resurrection of our Lord, God embarked on a new round of creative activity designed to reclaim and redeem all of creation.

"Human" institutions fall within the scope of that redemptive work. God works through His creation - just think of how He used the nation of Israel as a critical part of the grand plan that climaxed at the Cross.

If you want direct biblical evidence, look at Romans 13. Paul clearly asserts that human governments are put there by God.

You should know that satan is in charge of this world. Yes, the governments are there for this world but Jesus' followers are not of this world. Yes, everyone including Jesus' followers should submit to the government but the government is not head of Jesus' followers, Jesus is.

.

 

[Cornelius]

Man, I just wish we could minister together at times! :yes

I believe we will before the end comes Mat 17:20 And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Praise God !

 

[Cornelius]

There are so many of my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord , that I have never met and yet I know them so well. My heart so longs for the day that I can actually be with them all. I have come to love them dearly over the years. There are a few on this forum and some on another, and then some that I relate to outside the forums too. The church in Pretoria is healthy and growing, but we feel the need to be together with the whole Body. We long to see you all in person. There are some of you that I owe SO much too. So much love and awesome teaching of the Word. I have met true men and woman of God, who walk that which they teach and talk.

I have met true Christians, who manifested the miracles that are mentioned in the Bible. Who walk as overcomers through faith in the absolute wonderful perfect work of Jesus on the cross. That perfection through grace, that sin that is no longer a master over them. I've met people who do not move an inch away from what is written and I have seen them being tested in ways that I am in awe of and then I have seen them come through the trial and receive victory, the manifestation of their faith. They are the today men and woman of faith, that can stand with those in Hebrews without shame.

I really love you !
Cornelius

 

[Free]

You should know that satan is in charge of this world.

Scripture please.

 

[shad]

You should know that satan is in charge of this world.

Scripture please.

Luke 4:5-6 (New International Version)

5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

.

 

[Free]

You should know that satan is in charge of this world.

Scripture please.

Luke 4:5-6 (New International Version)

5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

.

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

To be more clear, do you have any Scripture that is post-resurrection showing that Satan is in charge of this world?

 

[Drew]

You should know that satan is in charge of this world.

Scripture please.

Luke 4:5-6 (New International Version)

5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

.

This only tells us about Satan's status at the point in time where he challenges Jesus. What does Jesus say later about the outcome of His struggle with Satan in the wilderness?:

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.

And then we have the cross. What happens at the cross? Paul tells us:

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Jesus substantially defeats Satan. So you cannot use a text that refers to the state of affairs before that victory by Jesus to support the idea that, right now, Satan is ruler of this world.

 

[shad]

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

He is cast out of heaven, not this world.

To be more clear, do you have any Scripture that is post-resurrection showing that Satan is in charge of this world?

Satan is also called prince of this world.

.

 

[jasoncran]

satan is in charge see the scripture in revalation as he is cast out and the woe to the inhabinats of the earth, and what the coming anti-christ and the false prophet, and the beast.

that's not to say that government is evil as in a christian cant be a pollitician or soldier,or policeman or so on so forth. our taxes fund the devil, i think satan can use men for his purposes just like god. so what if a man who is into a liberal doctrine and starts a church that preaches false doctrine? and the opppostite occurs who is of the devil?

 

[shad]

This only tells us about Satan's status at the point in time where he challenges Jesus. What does Jesus say later about the outcome of His struggle with Satan in the wilderness?:

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.

Like I said to Free, he is cast out of heaven, not this world.

And then we have the cross. What happens at the cross? Paul tells us:

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Jesus does not stop satan until the judgment day what he is doing in this world. If Jesus is doing His job on earth, there is no sorrow. we see plenty of sorrow. You guys don't make sense whatsoever.

Jesus substantially defeats Satan. So you cannot use a text that refers to the state of affairs before that victory by Jesus to support the idea that, right now, Satan is ruler of this world.

Satan will be bound for a thousand years but not before.