Home congregations
All world`s religions usually come together in unique buildings;
for example churches, synagogues, mosques and other buildings.
That`s what all religions do.
But the followers of Yeshua (Jesus) congregated in their homes.
A home congregation certainly is biblical.
Over 20 home congregations are found scattered throughout the New Testament.
After the death of Yeshua (Jesus), the early congregations met mostly in small
groups where someone lived.
These gatherings show us it is perfectly acceptable to meet in this fashion for
the express purpose of reading and learning what the Bible teaches,
for praying and breaking of bread as well as for worshipping Yahweh our God.
2 Corinthians 6:17
17 The Lord says,
“Get away from unbelievers.
Separate yourselves from them.
Have nothing to do with anything unclean.
Then I will welcome you.”
Church or congregation ??
It is important to keep in mind that the term church in the New Testament
was used in reference to the gathering of disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) rather
than any building.
That is the main reason I use the word congregation instead of the word church.
The Old Testament uses the word assembly, which is also much more
understandable than the word church.
In the countries that persecute and kill Christians and followers of Yeshua (Jesus),
the congregation self- evidently is in the biblical order-
under ground and they gather together secretly for example in their homes.
Link –> Church or Congregation
The congregation
Yeshua (Jesus) and His disciples and later the congregation never joined in
the religions of their time.
There were then and still are many good reasons to have local home
congregations as opposed to large religious gatherings, for example:
- single-mindedness in accordance with the teachings of the Bible
- no manmade religious doctrines
- no (chargeable) leading in the front but
- all participators partake in
- biblical, free of charge and no tithes
- greater safety and intimacy
- stronger relationships
- like a large family
- more comfortable worship
Home congregations and outdoor gatherings for the purpose of worshipping
Yahweh our God was an acceptable practice in the 1st century.
It is still acceptable by Yahweh our God today.
Romans 12:4-5
4 For as we have many members in one body,
but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Messiah,
and individually members of one another.
In the beginning
The first congregation in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) actually consisted of both
home gatherings and outdoor gatherings.
Also, they did not cease teaching and preaching Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah
(Christ) in the Temple area and streets.
Acts 5:42
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
All the early congregations focused on the apostles’ teaching, fellowship,
breaking of bread and prayer.
In addition, people shared their resources to meet needs-
especially with the fatherless, the widows and the poors-
and Yahweh our God worked in His mighty ways.
Congregations in the New Testament era were indeed small assemblies that met in
homes and the practice is certainly biblical instead of going to church (buildings).
Some home congregations in the Acts
The congregation was born when the Holy Spirit was poured on all flesh.
The Holy Spirit joins us to the congregation-
we cannot join the congregation by ourselves.
A good start is to read Acts 2, if it is not familiar to you.
Acts 2:40-47
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying,
“Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized;
and that day about 3 000 souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done
through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all,
as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 12:12
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary,
the mother of John whose surname was Mark,
where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 16:32
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and
to all who were in his house.
Acts 16:40
40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia;
and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
Acts 20:20
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you,
and taught you publicly and from house to house.
Some other home congregations in the New Testament
Philemon 2
2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier,
and to the church in your house.
1 Corinthians 16:19
19 The churches of Asia greet you.
Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord,
with the church that is in their house.
Romans 16:5
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
Colossians 4:15
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea,
and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
Church service
Divine service with a priest as a mediator between us and Yahweh our God is a lousy
imitation of the Old Testament divine service with Aaronic priests between people
and Yahweh our God.
Over 2 000 years we have had only one mediator:
1 Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God and there is one Mediator between God and men—
a human, Messiah Yeshua,
6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all—
the testimony at the proper time.
It was not Yeshua (Jesus) or the first apostles but Constantine who gave birth
to a new religion called Christianity.
The Christianity was born in Rome and became the official religion of Rome
in the 4th century.
Soon Constantine also started to built churches-
Rome’s earliest churches date also from the 4th century.
In the Bible there is no order (not even one) to start a little local church or
a church organisation or erect any church building.
The Christianity with its churches has roots in Rome-
and not in the Bible.
Fill the heaven instead of churches (buildings) !!
Link to –> Gospel in the Bible
Acts 7:48-49
48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands,
as the prophet says:
49 ‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
(Isaiah 66:1)
Church of satan
A lot of people each week go to a church without ever questioning whether or
not its doctrine is biblical.
So they might be attending part of the church of satan without even knowing it.
Acts 17:24
24 “God, who made the world and everything in it,
since He is Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in temples made with hands.
The followers of Yeshua (Jesus)
The followers of Yeshua (Jesus) met as congregation every day in their homes-
they literally lived their lives together.
When they came together in their homes their corporate worship and sharing
together was completely open and spontaneous with no one leading from the front.
The early believers didn’t have anything that even approximated a church service.
They understood each congregation to be an extended family unit.
The idea of churches being institutions or organizations would have been totally
alien to them.
Fill the heaven instead of churches (buildings) !!
Be strongly blessed in the name of Yeshua (Jesus) !!!!
Link to –> Gospel in the Bible
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