HOUSE CHURCH?
Time Magazine reports that there is a spiritual awakening among many Christians in the US, many are flocking to the House Church. There have been massive dropouts from traditional churches. Many are becoming disenchanted with formal structure, where they become statistics or observers, and leave a large service with an empty heart. They want a warm personal relationship with Jesus Christ and fellowship that is meaningful.
The word "Church" comes from the word "ecclesia" found in the book of Acts that means “assembly” or “called out ones” in reference to a gathering of people not a building. We see home "churches" beginning with the apostles. The Apostle Paul writes in the book of Philemon 1:2, “to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your home.” Then in Romans 16:5 it says, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” Throught Christian history, millions have met in homes, and even today millions still meet in homes.
In the Old Testament times God met His people, the Jews, through the High Priest in the Tabernacle or Temple. Presently, God lives in all believers of Jesus Christ right in our hearts by the Holy Spirit since Christians are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. See Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16 and Revelation 1:6, 5:10.
For the first three centuries there were no church buildings, only home churches. It wasn’t until 325 AD that Constantine converted pagan temples into Christian church buildings. The Orthodox and Catholic denominations formed and likewise used specific buildings to gather together and worship in, yet Biblically, a building is not the “Church”, the believers in Jesus Christ are.
In the United States of America, God has given us the freedom to worship and serve Him. Our U.S. Constitution First Amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
So what’s the advantages of Home Churches?
With no large building mortgage, we can direct 100% of tithe and offerings toward the body (fellow believers) and ministry of the Gospel. While large churches have their purpose, in a House Church you get all that’s missing in a large church…
- Small intimate group
- Warm interaction
- Participation
- Casual & informal
Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” God is looking at hearts, not member numbers or buildings made with man's hands.
