Our group needs to look at the scriptures related to groups that met in homes to decide what implications these may have on our church today. Is there clear Biblical reasoning for having groups meet in homes? Are the groups that met in the NT from one congregation that split up for a different worship experience or some other reason or were they each complete congregations? Are there Biblical reasons to pursue this ministry? Is there Bible reasoning that prohibits this ministry? Sincerely, Lori Sansom
The word “church” is used in three different senses in the New Testament: (1) universal, encompassing congregations everywhere as well as from generation to generation, over which Jesus is the head (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:18); (2) a single congregation (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 14:23; 20:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:1); and (3) the worship assembly of any congregation (1 Corinthians 11:18, 22; 14:4-5, 12, 19, 34). For centuries, the Lord’s church did not own meetinghouses. Instead, congregations assembled in public places (Acts 5:12) and in private homes (Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2). “The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house” (1 Corinthians 16:19).
Further, the worship assembly of a congregation is defined in Scripture as the ‘whole church coming together in one place at one time.’ “… when ye are gathered together …” (1 Corinthians 5:4). “… come together … For first of all, when ye come together in the church … When ye come together therefore into one place …” (1 Corinthians 11:17-20; see also 11:33-34). “… the whole church be come together into one place …” (1 Corinthians 14:23; see also 14:26).
Additionally, there were other gatherings of Christians that apparently were not intended to be the ‘whole church coming together in one place at one time’ as a worship assembly. The early disciples spent time together daily outside of Lord’s Day worship (Acts 2:46). Part of the church in Jerusalem met, evidently, not for worship with some members coming and going (and dying) (Acts 5:1-10). Some members met in a home for the purpose of prayer (Acts 12:12).
Summarized, where a local congregation assembles for worship is immaterial. However, passages that define the worship assembly indicate that the whole church came together in one place at one time (naturally excepting persons involuntarily absent or purposely and sinfully absent). On other occasions, less than the whole congregation met for various purposes. Either the worship assembly or other occasions for which the entire congregation or a portion thereof met, they often met in private homes.
It seems that it would be inappropriate, therefore, for a local congregation to attempt to worship by dividing its membership into several homes, because a local congregation is supposed to meet together in one place for worship. Dividing a congregation in such a manner for worship would be equivalent to several congregations rather than a single congregation worshipping. Yet, passages respecting other reasons (e.g., Bible study, church work) for which some members of a local congregation might meet are not associated with the concept of the ‘whole church coming together in one place at one time.’ It appears that a congregation could as readily choose to have its members meet for Bible study in sundry homes as it might have its members meet for Bible study in sundry rooms in the same facility (as we usually do).
Sometimes a quest for novelty to enliven one’s personal experience has been the catalyst for doing things differently than we have done them in the past. Hopefully, whenever we opt for change of some sort: (1) Whatever proposed changes we may pursue are evaluated in view of Scripture first to ensure change is not equal to a deviation from the faith. (2) Any changes enacted after confirming that the proposed changes are biblically permissible ought to be for some pragmatic reason rather than emotional appeal. (3) Not everything that is biblically permissible is expedient. (4) Biblically, the so-called small group ministry or house churches (within a local congregation) or cell groups, etc. are unknown. Biblically, there is a distinction between the worship assembly and Bible study or work carried on by a congregation.
