October 2, 2002
Reading: Acts 2:40-47

 

“I …taught you publicly and from house to house” Acts 20:20

 

I have recently heard of a church in Belarus that does not meet in a church building (the state will not permit it), but rather in small groups in people’s houses. The pastor meets with 12 men on Tuesday, who in turn meet with their 12 on Wednesday, then those 144 meet with their 12 on Thursday. Simple math tell us that on Thursday 1,728 persons are studying the Word of God. The goal is for the 1,728 to each meet with 12 which will expand the number to 20,736! What a vision – and it is working. When they have a joint meeting (outside in summer and winter) as many as 10,000 Christians meet, and all this in a country whose government will not permit them to meet in designated buildings!

Paul, writing to the elders at Ephesus says, “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house” Acts 20:20. He also addresses Philemon and “the church in your house” Phil 2. There is no record of a building fund to either pay off a mortgage or build an extravagant sanctuary or coliseum type meeting place.

Why is it most churches have a wide variance in social economy among its members? Some wonder where their next meal is coming from while others dress to the hilt and drive to church in their high priced vehicles – probably one of several. Should this, in the light of New Testament example, be a reality today? The larger the congregation, the easier it is for the poor to get lost in the crowd. How did the early church keep from experiencing this problem? “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need” Acts 2: 44-45. The disparity between the poor and rich was not evident. Their priorities were different, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (42). “So continuing daily with one accord in the Temple and breaking of bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people” (46). Was this simply a new social climate or did it please God? “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (46). The words speak for themselves.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Was this church structure for the early church only or is it something we should consider adopting today? This is not a popular question because we are inundated with coliseums that regularly host 5,000 plus people each week. Pastors are eulogized when they found a church with 20 persons and in a short period of time see it grow to 20,000. It is not a question of the Lord blessing such a ministry, for whenever and wherever the Word of God is preached, it will bear fruit, but what is the will of God? Just because the Lord blesses a ministry does not necessarily mean it is functioning according to His will. It is difficult to imagine the New Testament Church functioning in the 21^st century, especially in America, but that does not mean it is impossible.

When we compare the New Testament Church with what is popular today, there are very few similarities. In many cases entertainment has replaced the “apostle’s doctrine,” and social disparity is the accepted practice rather that having “all things in common.”

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus the Christ” Acts 5:42.