The Church That Jesus Built          

Why do we believe in and promote have House Church Gatherings?

Let me first say, we do not believe that it has been commanded by Christ or his Apostles to gather in homes or buildings at all for that matter. We do believe that gathering in homes is the simpler way to accomplish the commands that have been given to us by the Apostles and reap the results they reaped. Continue reading for explanations.

The Jerusalem church not only met together at the Temple, but also simply in homes:

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

After the Jerusalem church, the New Testament does not record believers meeting in buildings specially constructed for the purpose of church meetings, but simply in homes:

Romans 16:3-5a Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 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. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 

Philemon 1:1-2  Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy [our] brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow labourer, And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house: 

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

In fact, other than the porch in the temple that the Jerusalem Church met in, there is not a single mention in the New Testament of a "church building"! We know from history and archaeology that the early church continued this practice of meeting simply in homes up until the time of Constantine. Why might they have done this? & why is this a good practice for today?

1. To avoid persecution. Churches that meet in homes can easily "go underground" when persecution comes. But contrary to popular belief, meeting simply in homes was not just a reaction to persecution. The church met in homes even during times of peace (Acts 9:31). So obviously, there must have been other reasons why the early church met in homes.

2. To follow apostolic example. The Apostles could have commanded early believers to follow the synagogue practice of meeting in a building especially designed for this purpose. But they did not. The early believers were simply continuing the example set by the Apostles.

3. To foster genuine unity & fellowship. In the more informal atmosphere of a home meeting, it is easier for believers to fellowship and get to know each other. The Lords supper ( a full meal with 1 loaf and cup as the center)  is mentioned as the reason why they gathered weekly. 1st Corinth 10:17 & 1st Corinthians 11:17-34

4. To save more money for the poor, for missions, and for evangelism. Buildings cost money to build and to maintain. This takes away from the resources that can be devoted other more worthy purposes.

5. To keep church simple, easy to duplicate for rapid growth:  During the first few centuries of the church, Christianity exploded throughout the Roman Empire. Erecting costly buildings slows things down. Today, there have been similar explosions of church growth in countries such as Cambodia where missionaries have intentionally encouraged a simple house church model. in 2007 over 900 people have came to faith in Christ and over 60 simple churches have been planted. Video here: https://youtu.be/7MrKR0GVw_s

6. To encourage community. When several believers who live in the same neighborhood meet together in a home, this can result in wonderful Christian community. This is ideal and can be achieved as a church grows into a network of simple home meetings.

7. To encourage all to grow by participation. We have come to realize the Christian meeting did not just involve one man or a selected few of professionals, but the Spirit of God had the liberty to move through any saint he chose to. This is not simply assignments given by the Elders, but the people of God sharing from their personal study time or walk with God AS THEY ARE LED. Paul instructed that this should be edifying & done in an orderly fashion. 1 Cor 14:26-33, Heb 10:24-25 1 Thess 5:11 (KJV)

Watch the videos below & see how the gospel is spreading & how God is turning brothers & sisters in Christ to original simple church pattern of the Apostles.