Home Church Question

[DiscipleOfIAm]

Does a Home Church have to be more than one family? Can you have a Home Church with just your family, such as me, my wife, and 2 children or do we "need" to meet with others?

Just a question! Thanks!

 

[Godzchild]

It says in the bible "Where two or more are gathered in his name there he is in the midst" so I would say that your family would be fine

 

[New_Wineskin]

It says in the bible "Where two or more are gathered in his name there he is in the midst" so I would say that your family would be fine

It is amazing how this misquote has been allowed to continue - even among the bible worshippers . It is stated this way so often , I suppose I understand . I think that the "You *must* go to church" people have started this . The actual passage states "two or three" . People don't like one person alone but want the passage to force the idea that "church" is a *must* . So , they attempt to make it appear that ONE is not included .

I am not picking on you , GC . The quote is popular and one of my pet peeves .

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Church is constantly misrepresented in these forums!
The word means "mob", ie. a group of people. If you are seeking to outwork Jesus in community with others, this is Chruch. It is not a meeting or a building.

(I agree with all of you!!)

 

[janny108]

How do you differentiate between a home church fellowship and being in a home group that comes from a church that happens to have home group night?

Jan

 

[New_Wineskin]

How do you differentiate between a home church fellowship and being in a home group that comes from a church that happens to have home group night?

Jan

The one is self-contained while the other is under the control and direction of the main group ( usually ) .

 

[Godzchild]

It is amazing how this misquote has been allowed to continue - even among the bible worshippers . It is stated this way so often , I suppose I understand . I think that the "You *must* go to church" people have started this . The actual passage states "two or three" . People don't like one person alone but want the passage to force the idea that "church" is a *must* . So , they attempt to make it appear that ONE is not included .

I am not picking on you , GC . The quote is popular and one of my pet peeves .

Wow I didn't realise it was a misquote! There you go. Sorry folks

 

[New_Wineskin]

Wow I didn't realise it was a misquote! There you go. Sorry folks

Just to make sure that I was clear ... my pet peeve isn't that the sentence was misquoted ( I don't really care that much ) . My peeve is that this has been started by those that would burn alove anyone misquoting the Scriptures but have allowed this because of their Law for obtaining righteousness of the "need" to "go to church . I know that you are not of that kind , GC .

 

[Wisdom's Child]

If I might provide some input here...

Church is may not be a "must", but I do feel that fellowship is.
There are numerous scriptural references about christians gathering together to share their experiences as a group, and there is also principles such as "Faith comes by hearing" to be considered.

Just what is Love if you don't share it with others?

 

[2+2=5]

Home Church Question


Does a Home Church have to be more than one family? Can you have a Home Church with just your family, such as me, my wife, and 2 children or do we "need" to meet with others?

Just a question! Thanks!

I believe the purpose of the Assembly is to meet and meat with other believers.

So yes it could just be your wife and children, and yes God would of course be I your midst, but you would miss the main purpose of the Assembly.

The word means "mob", ie. a group of people. If you are seeking to outwork Jesus in community with others, this is Chruch. It is not a meeting or a building.

We may be confusing two different things here. I would consider “outwork(ing) Jesus in community” as Evangelism, as opposed to the Assembly of the Saints, or “church”.
Also too, in classical Greek “church” might mean mob, but in New Testament it almost always means “The called out ones.”

(

Church is may not be a "must"

Heb. 10:25.)

 

[Wisdom's Child]

Hebrews 10:25

King James Bible
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Weymouth's translation in modern speech
"not neglecting — as some habitually do — to meet together, but encouraging one another, and doing this all the more since you can see the day of Christ approaching."

Darby translation
"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom with some; but encouraging, and by so much the more as ye see the day drawing near."

A "gathering together" may possibly be in the sense of going to some designated building with others, but that is a rather restrictive interpretation of "gathering together" and often fails to meet the intent of this passage.

How many people come and go each sunday without hardly talking to each other, let alone with any encouragement in Christ for their pewmates? Listening to a preacher spout a sermon is not the same as "encouraging each other".

There are many other opportunities that present themselves that provide fellowship, encouragement, joy, and charity outside of the institution of "church".

Home Fellowships, Neighborhood outreaches, Internet Fellowships (like CF) and such are in many ways superior to a once a week meeting behind closed doors.

 

[2+2=5]

I believe though that is specifically speaking of the “Assembly,” where the believers gather to edify, worship in song, and celebrate the love feast; it is not an outreach in the local park

 

[Wisdom's Child]

I believe though that is specifically speaking of the “Assembly,” where the believers gather to edify, worship in song, and celebrate the love feast; it is not an outreach in the local park

Why not?

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Wisdom's child... this may be of interest... www.enginecreations.com/unseenchurch

 

[New_Wineskin]

If I might provide some input here...

Church is may not be a "must", but I do feel that fellowship is.
There are numerous scriptural references about christians gathering together to share their experiences as a group, and there is also principles such as "Faith comes by hearing" to be considered.

Just what is Love if you don't share it with others?

Many people would define "church" and "fellowship" too close to make a difference . Even if the Law could provide righteousness , references to christians gathering together does not equal a law or a must . I don't see how the "faith comes by hearing" passage comes into play unless the Lord tells someone to do something . One can love everyone with whom they come into contact - no need to set up a meeting .

There is nothing wrong with organized meetings or get-togethers ( in and of themselves ) . It simply is not a requirement for all .

 

[2+2=5]

Why not?

If you look up the word “assembling” there in a commentary it would explain it much better than I could!

 

[Wisdom's Child]

... I don't see how the "faith comes by hearing" passage comes into play unless the Lord tells someone to do something...

NW, there is something special about hearing. It is best brought out in John Bunyan's book "Holy Wars". The Gate of the Ear has significant influence over a person's faith.

I think it's the way humanity is wired, but Hearing something will influence more than simply reading. It becomes more personal, and deeply impacting when you hear testimony from others than if you read a testimonial.

There is also this natural "Tape Recorder" built into everybody's noggin that will loop/playback things like songs and movie soundbites all hours of the day and night independant of conscious will. This mechanism further edifies or destroys someone's faith depending upon what you allow into your ears.

 

[New_Wineskin]

NW, there is something special about hearing. It is best brought out in John Bunyan's book "Holy Wars". The Gate of the Ear has significant influence over a person's faith.

I think it's the way humanity is wired, but Hearing something will influence more than simply reading. It becomes more personal, and deeply impacting when you hear testimony from others than if you read a testimonial.

There is also this natural "Tape Recorder" built into everybody's noggin that will loop/playback things like songs and movie soundbites all hours of the day and night independant of conscious will. This mechanism further edifies or destroys someone's faith depending upon what you allow into your ears.

I *know* what what "hearing" is about in terms of faith . And , you know that I was saying that I didn't understand your connection between that passage and the topic . If that was what Bunyan was talking about , he was way off base - *WAY* off base . But , again , that is beside the point .

 

[Wisdom's Child]

I *know* what what "hearing" is about in terms of faith . And , you know that I was saying that I didn't understand your connection between that passage and the topic . If that was what Bunyan was talking about , he was way off base - *WAY* off base . But , again , that is beside the point .

I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood the question.

The connection of "Hearing" with the topic is a bit obscure now that I look at it.

What I was trying to point out is that an important part of the need for fellowship (in whatever form) is that you get the opportunity to both share your experiences with others, and hear their testimonies as well.

Being able to see and hear about God moving in the lives of those around you helps to further build your faith.

It is much more difficult to strengthen your faith if you choose to disassociate yourself from fellow believers.

Reading and Praying at home can only take you so far.
It's religion in theory.

Interaction and participation with others brings forth religion in practice.

I can only speak from my own experience, but to me "church" (denominational and or non-denominational weekly meetings) are just a subset of the much larger "gathering together" paradym.

I try to assemble with other Christians at least daily, and feel that God is present even if the gathering should occur in a parking lot after work.

 

[M Paul]

Wisdom's child... this may be of interest... www.enginecreations.com/unseenchurch

Here's a link that takes forever to get on the monitor. I didn't wait. Got a good paragraph you could quote???

Regards,

Paul