House Church Talk - Directed by the Spirit

[Paul Cox]

Hi Jim, 

It seems that we tend to be people of extremes.  Those who take the view
of strictly adhering to the scripture, the letter of the word,
eventually find themselves denying some portion of the word - mainly
what it says in Romans 8 - as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are the sons of God.

On the other hand there is a large portion of the body of Christ which
seems to swing completely to the other side in being "led", and cast off
all restraint, or semblance of order.  The result is usually confusion,
with every man doing that which is right in his own eyes, resulting in
division and subdivision.

I believe if we are truly "led by the Spirit", there will be no conflict
with the true meaning of "only Scripture."  As usual, the ground that
the Lord would have His people occupy is populated by so few.  We all
need His mercy and grace. 
Paul

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Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 6:31 AM
To: House Church Talk
Subject: House Church Talk -  Directed by the Spirit

Peter said, "Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing.

Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's 
house."   Acts 11:12

For those who are accustomed to being led of the Spirit, such words
sound 
perfectly normal.  But to those who believe in Sola Scriptura, Peter's
words 
sound dangerous or even Scripturally unsound.

I heard a very good brother in Christ on the radio just yesterday who
warned 
against such practices as "being led by the Spirit of God" in any direct

sense.  And I know many believers who would agree with his position,
since I 
share that same theological background.  I no longer hold to that
position, 
but I do respect and understand the teaching of Sola Scriptura, which is

rooted in the Reformation struggle to break free of Papal authority.

While it would not be correct to say that God's Spirit is unable to
direct 
events in the meetings of an IC or traditional church, we might expect
an HC 
(housechurch) to be more open to such direction.  But that is not always
the 
case.  There is no one doctrinal position held by all housechurches.
There 
is no comprehensive body of HC doctrine.

As the reasons are many and varied for having church at home, so also
the 
doctrinal positions of those who meet and worship at home are many.
Just 
about any kind of doctrinal slant one may expect to see in an IC
environment 
may also be seen in housechurches. ( In fact, the first HC group I ever
came 
across were Philippinos in California who were Roman Catholic.)

But most of the folks who meet and worship at home seem to be more open
to 
the idea of God's leading, and hoping to be directed by the Spirit of
God in 
their gatherings.  At least that has been my experience so far in
meeting and 
chatting with believers who practice HC.

So what about you?  Do you expect the Lord to direct your life?  Is your

local fellowship open to being directed of the Lord in each meeting?

Jim
     
    
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