The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum House Church?

This "house church" movement has always been a contentious issue. Those that advocate it are wanting to "pick and choose" certain items which they allege are getting back to the basics. However, they are utterly inconsistent in their attempts as they deliberately ignore so many other things which are recorded as being done during the infancy of the N.T. church. It is expected that with the inauguration of the Gospel being proclaimed by the disciples, that there would be few who would come to hear them. In fact, it is indicated that they were to go from house to house initially. Later on, it is clear that as the number of believers grew in an area, there was a central place of meeting. (cf. 1Cor 11:17ff; 14:23ff; 16:2; et al) With the great number of believers that were in large cities, e.g., Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Colossae, etc., it is doubtful that a case could be made that they ALL met in a single home, which doubtless were quite small in physical size.<br><br>Secondly, on this matter of preaching/sermons originating from pagan philosophers, this too is poppycock! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh[/img] There are at least 45 instances in the N.T. where the word "preach" (karrusoo, euggalizoo) appear. One of the most salient texts is found in 2Tim 4:2 - "preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.". As you can plainly see, preaching is used in distinction to reproof, exhortation and teaching. The command was given by Paul, who at this time was instrumental in the building of the organized church (cf. Eph 2:20-22) and which was near completion as an organization, to Timothy, an ordained Elder. Your friend is either ignorant of or choosing to ignore the progressive design of revelation, specifically as it pertains to the development of the church.<br><br>He would do well to read through:<ul>[*]The Scripture Doctrine of the Church by Douglas Bannerman</li>[*]The Church of Christ (2 Vols) by James Bannerman.</li>[/LIST]In His Grace,<br><br>In His Grace,