The House Church Movement What is the

The House Church Movement

What is the House Church? • It is NOT the fact that we meet in a house! • Romans 16: 5 1 Cor. 16: 19 Philemon 2 Colossians 4: 15

What is the House Church? • A movement seeking to reform the “traditional structure” of the church! • It all but condemns authority for owning a building • Found in many denominations

What is the House Church? • Influenced by “brethren” • “This book challenges traditional thinking, calling brethren to throw off the denominational thinking which obscures our historic commitment to biblical restoration, …

What is the House Church? • Influenced by “brethren” • “…and to consider how wonderfully revitalizing true restoration might be, as he proposes: vibrant small group fellowships, weekly love feasts, informal and spontaneous mutual ministry in the word…”

What is the House Church? • Influenced by “brethren” • “…and radically-motivated, counter-culture disciples of Christ. ” Radical Restoration, F. La. Gard Smith, “Scholar in residence for Christian Studies” at David Lipscomb University

What Happens in a House True Gospel Preaching… Church? • They meet in homes in informal and casual setting. • HOWEVER, not uncommon for “churches” in a city to occasionally come together. (Houses that Change the World, pg. 27 -28)

What Happens in a House True Gospel Preaching… Church? • Worship is spontaneous ANYONE can speak up anytime - Was priesthood (men and women) spontaneous? Upbeat 1 Cor. 14: 27, 33 -34 - songs (camp style) with hand clapping, etc. Usually associated with a social gathering (a “potluck”).

What Happens in a House True Gospel Preaching… Church? • The Lord’s Supper centered around a Cor. 11: 20 -22, 34 “fellowship meal” 1 – a regular shared meal “Do you not have houses to eat and drink – with a loaf of bread and jug of juice in middlein? ”table. of

What Happens in a House True Gospel Preaching… Church? • Argued that Lord’s Supper was What about the specific part of The Lord’s Supper is and the Passover meal foods for Passover a memorial to etc. ) therefore to be taken be a (bitter herbs, lamb, with observed with common meal of remembrance Luke 22: 20, 1 reverence Cor. 11: 25 1 Cor. Supper” 11: 27 -29 “After

What Happens in a House True Gospel Preaching… Church? • NOT real and substantive Located Preachers – As to preaching – see preaching – POSITIVE 1 Tim. 1: 3, Ac. 8: 40, Positive Preaching 21: 8, shallow and informal 19: 10, 18: 11, preaching, Movement! etc. Eldersspeak up) as shepherds (anyone can. Tim. 4: 2 -4 2 (leaders) • Elimination of “traditional” Ac. 20: 28, 1 Pet. 5: 2 -3 leadership roles (elders, located preacher, etc. )

“Justification” for House True Gospel Preaching… Churches • Churches met in houses in first century. • Yes they did, but also in the temple (Acts 2: 46, 5: 12 in a school (Ac. ), 19: 9), etc. Where is NOT the emphasis of scripture • 1 Cor. 11: 22, Do you not have houses…? • Heb. 10: 25, 1 Cor. 11: 17, 20 – authority for bldg.

“Justification” for House True Gospel Preaching… Churches • “Traditional church model” has become ineffective • Emphasize problems – boring, not emotionally stimulating, not relevant, “I’m not getting anything out of it. ”, bickering among brethren, legalistic, too formal, …

“Justification” for House True Gospel Preaching… Churches • “Traditional church model” has become ineffective • Are local churches perfect? NO! • But that does NOT justify throwing out the pattern! • DEAL with the problem! REPENT! (Rev. 2: 5, 3: 3, 3: 19 ),

“Justification” for House True Gospel Preaching… Churches • “Everything we do is worship!” “Worship is uninterrupted. ” • Romans 12: 1, Text used to justify this “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ”

“Justification” for House True Gospel Preaching… Churches • Various translations lend to this idea. Romans 12: 1 • “… which is your reasonable service” (KJV, NKJV) • “(which is) your spiritual service” (ASV) • “…which is your spiritual service of worship” (NASU) • “this is your spiritual act of worship” (NIV)

“Justification” for House True Gospel Preaching… Churches • The word “service” while at times is INVOLVED in worship does NOT Worship is we always mean worship! - In ALL we do, something we SERVE God, but NOT • Matthew INTEND to do! 4: 10 everything IS worship! • Romans 1: 25 John 4: 23 -24, Acts RESPECT HIS 20: 7, 1 Cor. 14: 26 • Hebrews 13: 10 PATTERN!

Why House Church Movement True Gospel Preaching… is Wrong • It is divisive! 1 Cor. 1: 10 “These six church” begin? • How does a “house things the Lord hates, Yes, move • 2 or 3 “spiritual” families seven in are an abomination to • They question preacher & elders Him… One who sows • Attack worship service discord among • They attack the elder and preacher brethren. ” • Disseminate literature Prov. 6: 16 -19 • Draw members away!

Why House Church Movement True Gospel Preaching… is Wrong • It is unscriptural • Rejects God’s pattern for the church AND her organization (weakens eldership – if any; women take leadership roles, no preacher allowed, …)

Why House Church Movement True Gospel Preaching… is Wrong • Perversion of N. T. Worship • Spontaneous and NOT according to God’s pattern (Lord’s Supper a common meal, “camp” songs, hand clapping, “What is your experience? ”, etc. ) • 1 Cor. 14: 40

Why House Church Movement True Gospel Preaching… is Wrong • It is Man-CENTERED! • More about what man wants than what God expects and commands. NOT directed toward God as HE commands it! • Sure one goes away feeling good, but why? Emotion driven!

The House Church Movement is another product of weak preaching and man-pleasers

May we NEVER neglect our assemblies to WORSHIP Him as He asks us to!