The First Century Churches Met In Private Homes, Not In "Church Buildings"
The Apostolic Church Was Composed of Churches in the Homes of It's Leaders
Today, when we think of going to church, we generally think of going to a large building designed for a large congregation. It is even believed that the larger the congregation, the more successful the church. When we stop to consider the very first “church” from the first century, we find a very different picture. The first century church was a group of people instead of a building or a denomination. When Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it,” he was referring to a body or group of believing individuals and not a two story meeting hall with stained glass windows and a 10 foot steeple donning a cross. We know that the first century believers did meet or congregate for fellowship and teachings. Where did they meet? A simple study in the scriptures pertaining to this subject reveals this answer.
Before we look at where the church met in the Bible times, let’s look at how the word “church” is used in the Bible. The Greek word ekklesia is used in the New Testament 118. Three times it is translated “assembly” and 115 times it is translated “church.” It literally means “those called out.”
According to the On-line Bible computer program, a church is defined as: “…in a Christian sense; an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting.”
E. W. Bullinger, in his A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament, states that, “In the N.T. (New Testament) it denotes the redeemed community in its two-fold aspect:
1) The entire community of all who are called by and to Christ out of the world, the Church universal,
2) every Church in which the character of the Church as a whole is seen "in miniature.”
The American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster 1828 renders its fifth definition as, “The disciples of Christ assembled for worship in a particular place, as in a private house. Col. 4.” This reference is Colossians 4:15 as given above.
From the uses of the word ekklesia and the above definitions, we see that the people who are the redeemed of the Lord Jesus Christ are called the church, whether meeting together in small or large groups.
Understanding that a church refers to the group of people called the family of God, let’s look at where the Bible says they would meet or congregate for teachings and communing together.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
The scriptures tell us that Saul went into every house, not into the synagogue or some other public building, to make havoc of the church. This is where he found the church. Some may argue that he just found out where the believers lived, and so went to their private homes to capture them. But there are other scriptures which tell us that the first century believers’ preferred place for church meetings was the private home.
Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
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.
Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
There isn’t one verse which tells of a large building constructed for church gatherings. Instead, every reference shows us that churches met in houses such as yours and mine.
There are also some records in the Bible stating that some teachings were done publicly as well as in the believer’s homes. After Paul’s conversion to believing in the lordship of Jesus Christ (see Acts 9), he states that he taught in the public as well as from house to house.
Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
We see here that Paul taught publicly as well as from house to house. This word, “publicly,” is used in three other scriptures in the New Testament:
Acts 5:18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward [prison].
Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
Acts 18:28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
According to the On-line Bible computer program and E. W. Bullinger’s lexicon, the word “publicly” refers to the people of a community. The Apostle Paul held forth the gospel to the people of a community in public places such as in the synagogues and public areas or squares. The pattern was that Paul preached the gospel to the public, then those who discipled themselves to the doctrine met in houses. This is why in Acts 20:20 (see above) Paul taught from house to house. Clearly, he went from house to house teaching the gospel.
At this point in our study, we can see that the first century church commonly met in small groups, in people’s homes. This is the pattern established in scripture. There is no scriptural reason why this pattern shouldn’t be adhered to today. Why did the style of church meetings change to large groups, meeting in large buildings called “Churches”? I don’t know, but I do know that there are great benefits to meeting in small groups in a believer’s or the overseer’s home.
A very obvious benefit to small groups meeting in homes is the freedom from the huge financial burden of a large building’s expenses. A church in a believer’s home doesn’t have to carry the extra expenses of an additional church building.
A more important benefit is that the minister can know each member personally. John 10:3 teaches us that the shepherd “calls his own sheep by name.”
John 10:2-3 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens the door, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by their names and leads them out. Weymouth
How can this be accomplished unless he personally knows the people God has allotted to his charge? In a large congregation, the minister cannot know each of his people personally or “by name.” Even if you pack forty to fifty people into a minister’s home, he can know each one personally. Ideally, ten to twenty five people is a comfortable number as a flock for a minister to shepherd for God. It is easy to see that many large churches are discovering this truth because they are starting cell groups or small home meetings within their large congregations so that the people can get personal attention and care. The aim of ministers should be to systematically build the truth into each one of God’s saints given to their charge so that the church would be known as “the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3:15 But, for fear I may be hindered, I now write, so that you may have rules to guide you in dealing with God’s household. For this is what the Church of the ever-living God is, and it is the pillar and foundation-stone of the truth. Weymouth
Another sound reason for church in the home is the blessing of being in someone’s home. According to 1 Timothy 3:4 and 12, an overseer needs to have a solid marriage, rule his own house wisely and have his children in subjection with true dignity. Usually the minister and his family are the ones who are built up with the gospel to the point they desire to help others grow in it. Their homes will typically exemplify the lifestyle of a believer. You should find the love of God and His Word woven into the character of their homes. In other words, he is a matured believer with a spiritually sound and edifying home life. Being in a home such as this, not only blesses people, but they get to see first hand what it looks like to be a true believer living the lifestyle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just being in such a home ministers God’s love and peace to any who enter therein.
From this brief study we have seen that church in the home was the practice of the body of Christ in its rise during the first century. Every record in our study elucidates this truth. Rather than being afraid of the idea of home-churches we would do well to typically follow the pattern of the First Century Church. Their concern was to grow in the doctrine passed to the Church through the Apostles rather than where God’s people met to learn the doctrine. The church refers to a group of people, not a building or denomination as it has deteriorated to mean today.
Wherever you find people knowledgeable of the gospel of Jesus Christ and living its lifestyle, you will find truth. Truth is in Jesus Christ. Wherever a church meets, the people must absolutely know from
1 Timothy 3:15, that the gathering of God’s people is “the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” The church is to be the unmovable support of the truth. Where it meets is a subsequent issue.
Today, when we think of going to church, we generally think of going to a large building designed for a large congregation. It is even believed that the larger the congregation, the more successful the church. When we stop to consider the very first “church” from the first century, we find a very different picture. The first century church was a group of people instead of a building or a denomination. When Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it,” he was referring to a body or group of believing individuals and not a two story meeting hall with stained glass windows and a 10 foot steeple donning a cross. We know that the first century believers did meet or congregate for fellowship and teachings. Where did they meet? A simple study in the scriptures pertaining to this subject reveals this answer.
Before we look at where the church met in the Bible times, let’s look at how the word “church” is used in the Bible. The Greek word ekklesia is used in the New Testament 118. Three times it is translated “assembly” and 115 times it is translated “church.” It literally means “those called out.”
According to the On-line Bible computer program, a church is defined as: “…in a Christian sense; an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting.”
E. W. Bullinger, in his A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament, states that, “In the N.T. (New Testament) it denotes the redeemed community in its two-fold aspect:
1) The entire community of all who are called by and to Christ out of the world, the Church universal,
2) every Church in which the character of the Church as a whole is seen "in miniature.”
The American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster 1828 renders its fifth definition as, “The disciples of Christ assembled for worship in a particular place, as in a private house. Col. 4.” This reference is Colossians 4:15 as given above.
From the uses of the word ekklesia and the above definitions, we see that the people who are the redeemed of the Lord Jesus Christ are called the church, whether meeting together in small or large groups.
Understanding that a church refers to the group of people called the family of God, let’s look at where the Bible says they would meet or congregate for teachings and communing together.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
The scriptures tell us that Saul went into every house, not into the synagogue or some other public building, to make havoc of the church. This is where he found the church. Some may argue that he just found out where the believers lived, and so went to their private homes to capture them. But there are other scriptures which tell us that the first century believers’ preferred place for church meetings was the private home.
Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
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.
Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
There isn’t one verse which tells of a large building constructed for church gatherings. Instead, every reference shows us that churches met in houses such as yours and mine.
There are also some records in the Bible stating that some teachings were done publicly as well as in the believer’s homes. After Paul’s conversion to believing in the lordship of Jesus Christ (see Acts 9), he states that he taught in the public as well as from house to house.
Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
We see here that Paul taught publicly as well as from house to house. This word, “publicly,” is used in three other scriptures in the New Testament:
Acts 5:18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward [prison].
Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
Acts 18:28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
According to the On-line Bible computer program and E. W. Bullinger’s lexicon, the word “publicly” refers to the people of a community. The Apostle Paul held forth the gospel to the people of a community in public places such as in the synagogues and public areas or squares. The pattern was that Paul preached the gospel to the public, then those who discipled themselves to the doctrine met in houses. This is why in Acts 20:20 (see above) Paul taught from house to house. Clearly, he went from house to house teaching the gospel.
At this point in our study, we can see that the first century church commonly met in small groups, in people’s homes. This is the pattern established in scripture. There is no scriptural reason why this pattern shouldn’t be adhered to today. Why did the style of church meetings change to large groups, meeting in large buildings called “Churches”? I don’t know, but I do know that there are great benefits to meeting in small groups in a believer’s or the overseer’s home.
A very obvious benefit to small groups meeting in homes is the freedom from the huge financial burden of a large building’s expenses. A church in a believer’s home doesn’t have to carry the extra expenses of an additional church building.
A more important benefit is that the minister can know each member personally. John 10:3 teaches us that the shepherd “calls his own sheep by name.”
John 10:2-3 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens the door, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by their names and leads them out. Weymouth
How can this be accomplished unless he personally knows the people God has allotted to his charge? In a large congregation, the minister cannot know each of his people personally or “by name.” Even if you pack forty to fifty people into a minister’s home, he can know each one personally. Ideally, ten to twenty five people is a comfortable number as a flock for a minister to shepherd for God. It is easy to see that many large churches are discovering this truth because they are starting cell groups or small home meetings within their large congregations so that the people can get personal attention and care. The aim of ministers should be to systematically build the truth into each one of God’s saints given to their charge so that the church would be known as “the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3:15 But, for fear I may be hindered, I now write, so that you may have rules to guide you in dealing with God’s household. For this is what the Church of the ever-living God is, and it is the pillar and foundation-stone of the truth. Weymouth
Another sound reason for church in the home is the blessing of being in someone’s home. According to 1 Timothy 3:4 and 12, an overseer needs to have a solid marriage, rule his own house wisely and have his children in subjection with true dignity. Usually the minister and his family are the ones who are built up with the gospel to the point they desire to help others grow in it. Their homes will typically exemplify the lifestyle of a believer. You should find the love of God and His Word woven into the character of their homes. In other words, he is a matured believer with a spiritually sound and edifying home life. Being in a home such as this, not only blesses people, but they get to see first hand what it looks like to be a true believer living the lifestyle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just being in such a home ministers God’s love and peace to any who enter therein.
From this brief study we have seen that church in the home was the practice of the body of Christ in its rise during the first century. Every record in our study elucidates this truth. Rather than being afraid of the idea of home-churches we would do well to typically follow the pattern of the First Century Church. Their concern was to grow in the doctrine passed to the Church through the Apostles rather than where God’s people met to learn the doctrine. The church refers to a group of people, not a building or denomination as it has deteriorated to mean today.
Wherever you find people knowledgeable of the gospel of Jesus Christ and living its lifestyle, you will find truth. Truth is in Jesus Christ. Wherever a church meets, the people must absolutely know from
1 Timothy 3:15, that the gathering of God’s people is “the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” The church is to be the unmovable support of the truth. Where it meets is a subsequent issue.
Comment
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Comment by Minister QGAgnew on February 14, 2009 at 10:50am
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Great study,this is a point I've been making for a long time,If more people could understand that more christians are lost back to satan through large churches than the street,because theres no heart felt compassion in most churches today it's more like going to a free concert,even though you don't like the group.And alot of people know after the concert,the real party begins,and then their right back were they started reaching for hope,Intimacy,with believers or seekers of the word,has a more reliable engrafting of the word.Great eye-opener!
GOD BLESS!!!
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Comment by Eric Hancock on February 14, 2009 at 6:54am
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I understand and agree alot of times people want churches for other reason that you and I already know
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