The primary reason that house churches should be started and attended is that they are biblical. Over and over again in the New Testament the major place where Christians gathered was in believer’s homes. Many of the early Christians came out of Judaism. They were pushed out of the synagogues due to their faith in Jesus. So the natural place for them to meet was in homes. These are some of the Biblical references of the church meeting in homes: Acts 20:20, Romans 16:3/5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:19, Philemon 2, 2 John 1:10, Acts 2:46 and Acts 12:12.
Meeting in homes did a couple of things for the church. One it kept the meetings to a small number. Homes just cannot have hundreds of people meeting in them. The early church was a gathering of a small group of believers probably not over 20 to 30 people in one place. When the gatherings grew too large a new group was birthed in a different place and the Christian community just kept on growing. It is estimated that Christianity grew from just a few thousand in the beginning to approximately 20 million believers by the end of the second century. Part of the reason there was this explosive growth was because the church focused on loving people and not on budgets and buildings.
These small groups were spiritual family and experienced what the New Testament called “Koinonia” or fellowship. These small groups allowed and still allow everyone to know everyone. Love only occurs when people are known and know each other. Jesus said this “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:35.
The problem with many traditional churches is simply the size. The size prevents people from building close, loving, accountable relationships that help people grow spiritually. One of the primary reasons small gatherings are so important is ownership. People own what they participate in. People in small groups/ house churches really get to know one another. They allow for the development of relationships through sharing, discussing their lives, their view of the scriptures, by praying for one another and spending time together and eating together.
Members of house churches become participants and not observers or consumers. Sadly most tradition church is about observing and consuming.
Church history records that the early church met for over 300 years in house churches. Not until the time of Emperor Constantine did the church begin to meet in large public buildings and have their services lead by professional clergy. By 380 AD the Roman Empire outlawed Christians from meeting in homes. Why?
Christians who meet in homes cannot be controlled by a central authority. One of the things that meeting in homes did for the early Christians was to help them to be obscure and out of the public eye. It was a protection for them to avoid persecution. Throughout history Christians almost always return to the home during times of persecution.
A house church allowed for the development of the New Testament concept of the priesthood of the believer. (1 Peter 2:5) Because these meetings were laity driven each Christian developed their God given gifts and abilities and saw themselves in ministry. House churches develop each Christian into being an ambassador for Christ. (1 Corinthians 5:20)
Church Historians, if they are honest, readily admit that for 300 years at the inception of Christianity that it was lay driven. Even in the New Testament it is reported that the gospel was spread into many communities by anonymous lay believers even before the Apostles arrived into the communities.
The truth is that method does affect the message and the messengers. Nothing will help people grow quicker spiritually, deeper spiritually and more spiritually mature than being involved in a healthy house church. How do I know because I have experienced it and witnessed it.
Blaise Pascal the famous French scientist said that the best truths are discovered when they are learned by one’s self. The Christian faith is best learned not when taught by a preacher, priest or some spiritual guru but when discovered for oneself in the brotherhood and sisterhood of a house church.
Is it time for you discover for yourself? Read on. The purpose of these articles is to help lay people everywhere to experience their God given calling to be a minister for Jesus. Neil Cole said that all it takes to participate in or to help start a house church is a love for Jesus and a desire to serve him. If you have those two things then maybe God is calling you to start a house church right where you live, in your home!