Advance Biblical Study
Church in the House
By
Feb 26, 2003, 19:47

An environment for homechurches:
In regards to the hour in which we live, the advantage believers have above those who stay in the denominations are as follows:

o They are more accessible to the voice of God ... The man of God and the Elders can direct through Jesus. Meaning, there are no unnecessary go-betweens, like religious red tape, hierarchies and church bureaucracies getting in the way; as the voice of God is no longer muzzled, muffled or filtered.

o Don't have to wait until it is taught (approved by priest, minister, rabbi, reverend, doctor or pope) but truth can be acted on immediately upon revelation. When a group teaches it for "the group" it then becomes 'private interpretation' which will place it in a position of compromise on par with "the groups" own tradition.

o Not rigid. Is flexible to move where the Lord directs. For example; a huge super tanker takes miles to turn around at sea. Compare this with a zippy run-about.

o Can't be controlled. Has no earthly HQ . No geographical Mecca's, Rome's, Jerusalem's, Salt Lake Cities, etc. Nor the organization down the street. No Head Office to look to, committees, mediums or gurus.

o Not encumbered. No lofty edifices, building projects, and church programmes to be burdened down with. Can live and survive like true pilgrims, on the bare essentials.

The established church has lead the way in this mitigating effect for decades, even centuries, by replacing the true church based on the family structure along with it's unique values. This is because the nucleus of the local church was a continuation of God's ordained family unit, whether it happened to be made up off natural blood-stock finding God together, or adopted 'odds and ends' who had met the Lord individually, and found a new home. Look how the book of Acts supports the church as a 'home functioning organism':

Meals and making merry ... breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. (2:46)
Teaching and preaching ... and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (5:42)
As a sanctuary and lifestyle ...he made havock of the church, entering into every house. (8:3)
General gathering ... send for thee into his house ... he went in, and found many that were come together. (10:22,27)
Praying together .... he came to the house of Mary... where many were gathered together praying. (12:12)
Comfort and encouragement ... and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.
(16:40)
Visiting ... And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house (20:20)
Kingdom revelation and declaration ... and Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God. (28:30,31)

Also, scripture in general supports home group fellowship:

greet the church that is in their house. (Rom. 16:5)
with the church that is in their house. (1st Cor. 16:19)
and the church which is in his house. (Col. 4:15)
and to the church is in thy house. (Phn. 2)

Note: Yisrael Hebrews who were called Christians did meet regularly in the Temple (Acts 24:11), as there was a strong sense that Jerusalem was still their central spiritual H.Q. (an old habit - tradition being seen on a par with scripture) However, with the increased persecution, and finally the fulfilment of the Temple being destroyed a few years later, as already mentioned, all ties with the Old and it's formalities fell away.

Praise the Lord! It's the Truth.

My Advice is for you men to take your families and get out of all of these pagan so-called christian churches. They are nothing but LIES!

Pastor Dowell