A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
Among the denominational world there is a movement called the “House Church Movement”. The basic message of the movement is that you do not have to attend a local assembly; you can worship in your own home. It is a very appealing idea to those who do not like to get up and go worship at their designated meeting location. The problem with movements among denominations is that it does not take long for brethren to start emulating those ideas. I recently heard a brother in Christ explain that he did not assemble with the saints on a Sunday, and then there was an implication made that he simply worshipped at home. That is nothing less than the “House Church Movement” ideology. The question begs, is this idea a scriptural idea?
What’s Wrong With Worshipping at Home?
First, and foremost I must define what is meant in this article. There is nothing wrong with a local church meeting in a home. Such was displayed as an approved action in the New Testament (Philemon verse 2). We are not going to discuss a group of Christians starting a local church in a home. We are not going to discuss a group of Christians meeting as a local church in a home. What we are going to discuss is an individual or group of Christians who decide not to meet with a local congregation, but to worship in a home without:
1. Doing the work of a local church.a. Evangelism (I Thessalonians 1:7-8).2. Being designated as a local church and establishing a time and place for brethren to assemble collectively (Hebrews 10:23-25).
b. Benevolence to needy saints (Romans 15:25-26).
c. Edification (Ephesians 4:16).
3. Having a weekly contribution resulting in a treasury (I Corinthians 16:1-3).
4. Planning on establishing the leadership God requires for a local church (Titus 1:5).
The list could go on, but the challenge
is clear. The idea that Christians could meet together without establishing
a local church is unscriptural. There is no authority for it!
We must have authority for all that we do (Colossians 3:17).
Besides the aforementioned argumentation, the very definition of the word church shows the idea of “House Churches” to be at best ignorant. Notice what Thayer’s definition shows us about the word church [ekklesia]: “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly…” The church is not a people “called into their homes” but, it is a people “called out from their homes…” We cannot find a “House Church” in the Bible. However, we can find an established New Testament pattern showing that saints are to assemble with a local church to worship the Lord.
The Established Pattern of Saints Assembling With A Local Church
The first clear point in establishing the pattern of saints assembling with a local church needs to be made from the example of the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:1ff. In this text we find three things:
1. There was a location were saints met to worship (Acts 20:7-8).
2. Paul did not “brown bag” the Lord’s Supper [pack it like a lunch to take during the day], he waited to partake with assembled saints (Acts 20:5-7).
3. The purpose of gathering was to partake of the Lord’s Supper and Paul preached to them while they were assembled (Acts 20:7). Thus, we find the implied necessity of assembling with saints to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
Another text to prove
the pattern of saints assembling with a local church can be made from I
Corinthians chapter 11. Three times the inspired Apostle Paul makes
it clear that the brethren in Corinth came together as a local church [assembly
away from their homes] (I Corinthians 11:18; 20; 33). It is very
much needed that brethren pay close attention to I Corinthians 11:20 which
reads: “When ye come together therefore into one place…”
The “House Church Movement” would have brethren coming together in multiple
places. That is not what the Bible authorizes!
Another point of contention that needs to be made is from the other avenues of worship wherein saints are to jointly participate. There is no way that “House Churches” can edify their brethren (Ephesians 4:16). What about coming together to collectively raise our voices in song worship to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). Then of course you have the need of contributing to the work of a local church (I Corinthians 16:1-3). This does not fit into the “House Church Movement” purposed model of disorganization. The “House Church Movement” is a movement founded and carried out by people who are opposed to authority, submission, and organization. The Bible does not authorize this type of unorganized man-made religion.
Conclusion
When a practice lacks Bible Authority it is an unlawful practice. When one violates the word of God they will face eternal consequences (John 12:48 and Revelation 22:18-19). It would be a sad thing to see this movement take root among brethren. Thus, we must be watchman and prevent it from occurring. We certainly do not want to see another “Boston Movement” (a.k.a. Crossroads Movement) begin. Sadly, I have heard in recent months some brethren use language that indeed suggests some may lean that way soon. Let us hold fast the tradition set forth in the New Testament (II Thessalonians 2:15), and earnestly contend for the ever so precious once delivered faith (Jude 3).
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Keep in your prayers: Mike Lockwood as
he travels, Steve Burgoon as he recovers, Desiree’ Crist because of her
spiritual illness, and Joan Croyle who has been struggling with her health.