DOES GOD APPROVE CHURCH MEETINGS IN THE HOME?

Aren’t Christian religious meetings supposed to be held in a “church building?”

If people aren’t part of an “established church” or “denomination,” shouldn’t they be considered “a cult?”

Aren’t you taking a big chance as a Christian to get involved in some small group that meets in someone’s home or in the basement of some business?

Didn’t God establish the large denominations such as Catholics, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Church of Christ, Mormons, etc., and direct their clergy how and when and where the laity are to meet together?

These are all good questions…..

But, before we try to answer any of them, let’s establish some historic and Biblical facts.

JESUS TAUGHT IN THE HOME

Are you aware that Jesus often preferred to teach and minister in the homes of various individuals rather than solely in the Temple or a synagogue?

Matthew 8:14-16  And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.  (15)  And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  (16)  When the even was come, they brought unto him (into the house) many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick:

PRAYER WAS MADE IN THE HOME

Are you aware that the apostles and others often gathered to pray in the home?

Acts 12:12  And when he ( the apostle Peter) had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

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GOD OFTEN IMPARTED SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO PEOPLE IN SOMEONE’S HOUSE

Did you realize that many disciples in the New Testament were “filled with the Holy Spirit” and received various “gifts of the Spirit” in  someone’s house?

Acts 2:1-4  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  (2)  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  (3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  (4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

See also Acts 9:17 and Acts 10:44.

THE EARLY CHURCH MET IN HOMES

Have you seen how often reference is made to the early churches actually meeting in the homes of people?

Acts 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:20  [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,

Acts 28:30-31  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,  (31)  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Romans 16:3-5  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:  (4)  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.  (5)  Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Colossians 4:15  Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Philemon 1:2  And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

HISTORICALLY:

Christians have met in homes for fellowship, prayer, and even formal services throughout the world from the inception of the church.

Many present denominations started with home meetings in the past and later developed into more institutionalized organizations with their “church buildings” to meet in.

Over the centuries, some church assemblies have just preferred to meet in the informal and relaxed setting of the home or a simple “non-religious” building.

CONCEPTUALLY:

It must be recognized that the idea of “church” originated with the Lord Jesus Christ, and His term for “church” was the Greek word “ecclesia.” It was Jesus who said:

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, ….I will build my church (ecclesia); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus was not referring to “a building” or even “an organization.” The term “ecclesia” means “an assembly of those who are called out” for something. Jesus was saying that He was going to build “His assembly” of those persons called out to follow and serve Him. Therefore, it is wrong to think that it really matters to God what kind of building you are meeting in as a fellowship of Christians.

Jesus said in:

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

Jesus will be there no matter what type of building you meet in. In fact, there have been persecuted and poor Christians all around the world that have had no building to meet together in. They have met in caves, in tents, and outdoors with no cover.

ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS

So, what about the questions we posed at the beginning?

I hope by now that you can see that most of them really are unimportant to address.

DOES GOD APPROVE CHURCH MEETINGS IN THE HOME?

Of course He does!

Thank you Precious Word Ministries