House Church Talk - House church in scripture

[David Anderson]

       Hi Jack, 

Amen to these words, brother. I believe that when Jesus explained that he 
sought worshipers in spirit and truth he was declaring that location was 
no longer an issue. I am excited about house churches but I am not 
aristocratic about it. :) House churches can provoke pride, too, just as 
you said about institutional churches.

There is a day coming in which all earthly things will be dedicated to 
God - even the posts and pans and bells on horses hoofs. I wish every 
place and structure was dedicated to God. Zech. 14:20 In that day shall 
there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the 
pots in the LORD¹S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Several of us met yesterday at work to pray and encourage. It was great 
to be in out of the cold. The company building served us well and at no 
cost.

The fear that intimacy may be lost in a larger setting is a real fear and 
must be countered. But it can be, imo. And if we really wanted to be 
technical about proper seating and posture, we would have to recline on 
the floor or upon each other (as John upon Jesus). Is that really 
necessary?

All imo. Others do differ.

Watchman Nee, btw, owned a large building for meetings which the 
Communists seized.

Good to see you, Jack. I know God is at work in your world. Do you have a 
web site or info for Saints Publishing?

      David Anderson in snowy Tennessee.

John 4:20-24 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in 
Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, 
Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this 
mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know 
not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the 
hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the 
Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship 
him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in 
spirit and in truth. 

>I have read the postings on this list for months now, and enjoyed them
>thoroughly. Up till now, I haven't posted any comments, but I feel like
>taking the plunge on this topic. I agree that to meet in a house church
>isn't "ordered" as are some other commandments. My personal belief is at
>that time that was the most convenient way to meet; homes were
>available, cost little or nothing, and were low visibility (important
>during the times of persecution). 
>On the other hand though... Big, expensive, prideful (or you could say
>pride filled) church buildings were not ordained either. One writer was
>correct to point out that our patterns today of where we worship in the
>institutional church come from the time of Constantine, the pagan
>temples, the "Roman Church". 
>I feel the greatest sin and the one that most often leads people away
>from Christ is the sin of pride. And when you build a huge, expensive,
>lush church building, you are committing this sin. I don't see anything
>wrong with meeting in a common building. That has several advantages; a
>central place of worship, no undue burden placed on the family/families
>where the group meets, and it is a visible sign to others that here is a
>place you can find believers, so that anyone seeking the Lord knows that
>he can find guidance there. There are many ministries that can only be
>efficiently provided out of a central, common, location. But when the
>meeting place becomes THE central concern (as it was in the congregation
>I attended before this one, and the one I attend now), then we have
>strayed from the path. We are not walking the walk that Christ
>commanded. 
>I have found another congregation that I am in love with. I have to move
>to get nearer to them. My relatives are puzzled by my willingness to
>move, change jobs, alter lifestyle, when the only goal is to be able to
>attend and worship with a different congregation. But that's me. I want
>Christ and my worship to be the center of my life. Yes, these people
>meet in a building, but it is just a metal warehouse, nothing at all
>fancy. They just all chipped in and bought it. No mortgage. We are
>talking about buying a church bus, so that people who cannot drive can
>get to services if they so desire. And the official plan is that when
>this building gets too small, then we split off and plant another church
>to bring others in, and buy another used, cheap metal building.
>I hope I haven't been too long winded. I believe there is a place for
>central places of worship, as there is a place for house churches. And
>these need not be mutually exclusive! For instance, my congregation
>meets for worship in the church building Sunday am, and in small home
>groups Sunday evening and during the week.   
>Take care everyone and God bless.
>
>
>Jack A. Heape
>Saints Publishing