Is it Biblical to have Church in homes?

[Dave Slayer]

Is it Biblical to have Church in homes? Or, does God demand we go to a building with pews and stained glass windows? Some Church buildings are fairly small and some can fit that many people in their homes.

 

[NooneSpecial]

The true essence of church are those gathered to the place to worship God. Not the structure itsrlf.

 

[Blazin Bones]

When Jesus taught, was he always in a synogauge? I will say it is biblical to gather around food and speak of God's truth. In Luke 14 Jesus teaches right after dinner. One point for the Baptists. ;)

 

[handy]

I think more would say the correct question is whether or not it is Biblical to build buildings with pews and stained glass. Most of the churches spoken of in the new testament met in homes.

The truth is though, as Noone pointed out, the church are those gathered not the structure. If a particular local church can afford a structure that is sanctified for God's worship, then great. If all that a church can afford is benevolence, then the sanctuary will have to be simple, and there is no reason why a home can't fit the bill.

I know some will decry the dollar amount that large buildings with rich furnishings cost. I've heard some say, "That money would be better off given to the poor." Well, that statement is a direct quote from one of the disciples. However, it was from the one disciple that we don't want to follow. There is nothing unbiblical about building a sanctuary with rich furnishings and the best of everything that is set apart for the worship of God. However, if a local body is pouring so much money into building said building and ignoring the fact that as the Body of Christ one of our first commandments is to tend to the needs of the poor, then there is a problem.

 

[whirlwind]

Is it Biblical to have Church in homes? Or, does God demand we go to a building with pews and stained glass windows? Some Church buildings are fairly small and some can fit that many people in their homes.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

That church is open at all hours of the day and night...as it is here and now.

 

[Vic C.]

A church is a building. The ekklesia is the Body. The Body is free to congregate wherever they choose within reason and in keeping in line with Tim's post, wherever there is some sort of kitchen or place to prepare and serve food! Yeah, I'm Baptist also. :D

Has anyone done a study on the origin of the word 'church'?

 

[whirlwind]

A church is a building. The ekklesia is the Body. The Body is free to congregate wherever they choose within reason and in keeping in line with Tim's post, wherever there is some sort of kitchen or place to prepare and serve food! Yeah, I'm Baptist also. :D

Has anyone done a study on the origin of the word 'church'?

The Greek word ekklesia means assembly, or a gathering of called-out ones. A gathering of believers.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; (27) That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

Ephesians 5:29-32 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

To me, that is saying that we are His church...His body of believers, not a building. He didn't "give Himself" for a building.

 

[Vic C.]

To me, that is saying that we are His church...His body of believers, not a building. He didn't "give Himself" for a building.

That was the gist of my post. We agree. :amen I too like and use the word ekklesia, but for the sake of argument, church seems to be the accepted word for God's assembly.

 

[whirlwind]

To me, that is saying that we are His church...His body of believers, not a building. He didn't "give Himself" for a building.

That was the gist of my post. We agree. :amen I too like and use the word ekklesia, but for the sake of argument, church seems to be the accepted word for God's assembly.

I'm afraid I have never spoken the word ekklesia so wouldn't be certain of the pronunciation...church is easier. I'm glad we agree....Blessings. :heart

 

[Vic C.]

http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=1577

 

[justvisiting]

If persecution is heading our way in the future... having church in our homes,is exactly what we will have to do. The early believers had to do this. Having said that...I think generally, it is better to go to a church where you know a trained, reputable, Spirit filled minister, is teaching...and if he isn't teaching right...then it's time to go.

 

[Tina]

^

Romans 16:5
Likewise greet the church that is in their house .....

 

[Ed the Ned]

I believe the Church is the body of Christ in this world made up of many parts. And although I am Baptist I believe all christians form the body of Christ. We have a midweek cell group at one of the deacons house. I sometimes feel I recieve more from God during those cell groups than I do in Church on Sunday. Church is everywhere. A Church Building is merely a gathering place for the church of God to get together. (We have food at cell group to Blazing Bones)

 

[Adullam]

The church is where the church lives and spends it's time. So if people live in steeplehouses...then the church will be there. Most people live in homes...so it follows that Christians also do.

You know you are religious when you see church as a meeting that takes place in a "sanctified" building. The NT churches were centered around households of faith....that is, extended spiritual families that lived among each other, prayed and ate together on a daily basis. These cared for the needs of the saints. These were often led by a patriarchal man who was a true disciple and whose life was centered on Christ and the brethren. People would gather under his roof there to meet others who were also drawing near to the Lord. This was, and still is, a full time ministry....to open one's home to the brethren.

Anyone that is conversant with the NT text will see what the early church practice was. Everyone took part. The size of the gatherings was limited to the size of the home as well as how big the meeting could be so that all could participate. The brethren did not act religiously with each other. Rather, everyone exposed his problems and sins so that all could be healed. Also everyone would share their gifts so that all could be edified. Most modern believers have never experienced this type of deep fellowship.

So we are to have an intimate walk with the Lord AND one another.

 

[Vic C.]

Ok, what do we do when the assembly exceeds the space in ones home and said congregation doesn't want to split? You do the obvious thing; you look for a larger place to have meetings (services). There is absolutely nothing "religious" about that at all!

Does anyone know (the Bible is silent) how big the seven churches in Revelation were?

It's baffles me to see scripture twisted to reflect that any assembly larger than what can fit in one's home is un-Biblical. Where does it say the church is where one lives? Some of you say there is less individualism but the facts contradict this. The more one looks, studies and really listens to what is going on in Christianity, especially outside of the larger congregations, one realizes individualism is rampant.

Have your meetings in your homes. I applaud you. We meet in our homes also; it's called "small group" meetings. But don't knock those who choose to meet in assemblies larger than one's home. One day we will all be meeting in "mansions"! :amen

 

[Dave Slayer]

Aren't we as believers "the Church"? Does the Bible say Church is only a stained glass steeple building on Sunday?

 

[Sparkey]

My thought might be off topic a little, pardon me if this is the case.

... But to me it doesn't matter the size of the assembly that meets to worship God in spirit and in truth. We are clearly commanded to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together but instead exhorting one another (so much the more) as we see "the day" approaching. <see Heb 10:25>

[attachment=0:23ugv4xd]image.cfm.gif[/attachment:23ugv4xd]
The word for "gathering" isn't misrepresented in English. It means just that, "gathering together -or- assembling together".

The Greek word, 'á¼ÂÀιÃÆ’Ã…ναγÉγή // episynagÃ…ÂgÄ“' that is used in Heb 10:25 is the same word also used in 2nd Thess 2:1 ---> Interesting what we are "beseeched" by this very 'gathering together' to do, yes?

1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,
   [/*:m:23ugv4xd]
2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.[/*:m:23ugv4xd]

Does the Bible suggest that our "gathering together" is a type (a shadow) of the 'Rapture" of the saints? Some would hesitate to preach that in any dogmatic manner but to me the "flavor" of that thought is there and is clear. As Christians one of the things we do <as we continue to 'gather ourselves together'> is celebrate Communion which looks forward to His return as well, yes?

I'm struck by the word that Jesus uttered:

• [list:23ugv4xd]Mar 14:24 KJV - And he said unto them, "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
  
  Mar 14:25 KJV - Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
  
  Mar 14:26 KJV - And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

[/list:u:23ugv4xd]

Cordially yours,
~Sparrow

 

[Adullam]

Ok, what do we do when the assembly exceeds the space in ones home and said congregation doesn't want to split? You do the obvious thing; you look for a larger place to have meetings (services). There is absolutely nothing "religious" about that at all!

Does anyone know (the Bible is silent) how big the seven churches in Revelation were?

It's baffles me to see scripture twisted to reflect that any assembly larger than what can fit in one's home is un-Biblical. Where does it say the church is where one lives? Some of you say there is less individualism but the facts contradict this. The more one looks, studies and really listens to what is going on in Christianity, especially outside of the larger congregations, one realizes individualism is rampant.

Have your meetings in your homes. I applaud you. We meet in our homes also; it's called "small group" meetings. But don't knock those who choose to meet in assemblies larger than one's home. One day we will all be meeting in "mansions"! :amen

The church goes far beyond just meeting in homes. There is a shared life together. The demands that Christ puts on discipleship keeps the numbers down. If by some miracle there are too many real disciples in one place, then these can pray about who will begin a new work elsewhere. Those who refuse and disobey the Lord's leading, as you say, well, there's always Sunday churches!!! :yes