I have been in house church for the past 8 years. I could not go back to the institutional religious structure. I have learned more about the Lord, love and servanthood. It will challenge and encourage you to grow more in the Lord and His Body. Thank You Lord for pulling me out to place me in Your Body.
The last line in this video voiced why I left a congregation 2 years ago. I felt that my entire existance was to help the pastor and his wife accomplish THEIR vision. I realized I was not living what God had called ME to do.
Ya'll are sayin' it! Absolutely essential for the growth of the body around the world! For over twenty years we did this. Then moved to another part of the state. Waited for five years, learning about our new amazing and unique neighborhood, and for the Lord to move us out into the field. Two "official" churches did not appeal, tried one small gathering, neat people but still not where He wanted us. Now in a fellowship of
What an uplifting video, what an inspiration. Here in America we don't face the dangers that believers in Iran or China face for holding worship meetings at someone's house. We can do it without fear of imprisonment, of being beaten, or even killed. We have no excuse for not letting the Holy Spirit lead us on so God can get the glory. Thanks for uploading this.
Thank you for posting this! Oh my Lord, how I want to be a part of this! These guys are describing the vision that's been planted deep inside me for years, and I think thousands will recognize the same longing when they see this simple Jesus-life being lived out.
Yay thanks for uploading, that's how church should be simple and uncomplicated. God is not complicated only people make things complicated. Nice video, very refreshing I totally agree. I love the house church Idea.
It all comes down to one simple thing: Either you're a spectator or you're a participant. If you enjoy being a spectator, the world has no shortage of supply of institutionalized churches for your brand of Christianity.
Thank you for sharing this video. it is so good to hear what our marvelous Lord Jesus is doing! He said that HE would build his church and that is exactly what he is doing. this new move of god isn't only happening in the USA, it is happening here in the UK and other parts of the world. Jesus is doing it. Maranatha!
@THS66 Meeting with a congregation in a home does not mean you don't attend church. The early Christians met primarily in homes from what we can see in the Bible.
As Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so is His church the same as He started it. We have the Scriptures in our language, which is a miracle itself. We have all the original new testament teachings, edifications, warnings, and rebukes of the early apostles and elders, to which they told us that we would do well to listen to and obey, the theme of which is holinss unto to the Lord, without which we will not see Him. Thank you for your video. Please pray for me and my 2 daughters.
Please pray for me that I will find a house church I just came out of the organized one and feel alone without a family to share with and help . Thanks
I think the point is to develop stronger individual relationships so that we can come together on better ground. I left "the church" when I was 16 because of how poorly people acted, but that was no reason to abandon God! It's better to offer people quiet relationships with God than defective and negative relationships with the wrong people.
Hello, Yes, it is scary but thank God there are many spirit filled believers who has discerned its time to GET OUT & follow the Holy Spirit Rom 8:14 God bless you & stay safe in these troubling times~ .
Real saints talking real sentiments most of us feel in the spectator organized professional church that has everything except. What we all need One anothering in Christs love. Building each other up in the faith. Daily. And not a 1-2 spectator event on Sunday
Worship without walls, true discipleship and fellowship. My small church is my family and our focus on being proactive in the community 7 days a week is a perfect combination for me. I fear if a member leaves the congregation for this movement, instead of worshipping in small groups within the home, he or she risks becoming a shut-in or becomes a passive Christian rather than a proactive desciple in the community.
wonderful exactly what i see and hear from the Holy Spirit. The Lord told me to come away from organized religion. No matter how much a non denominational church claims they are not about religion they are wrong they are an organization and not equipping the body to go out and make disciples of the world. Let us come together in unity in Christ of one mind and one body though we are separate form one another, and make disciples as the Lord commanded us!
***** i love it!! i hope you are well Rosemary? It is amazing just how well the Lord is writing the word on my heart as i ask, He makes it so, and i am feeling beyond blessed by it. Hugs to you sister
yeah i do not know I have not found a house church yet or anyone of like mind around me. So i cannot make a house church nor can i find one to go to. There was one i knew of but I was like naaah i do not want to go there because the people i know that go there are not right in the Lord. So I pray if the lord wants me to go to a church He will point it out so far i just live in Him and read His word, and that is a great place to be!
I have read parts of the quran but I have also read more of their book of their eschatology and that book is the Hadith. It is exactly perfectly mirror opposite of our Eschatology. I would say we are near to the end times very very near and are getting ever closer, but that temple has got to be built and that 7 year treaty with the many must be signed we have seen neither height nor hair of either as of yet. The antichrist has to stand in that temple and call himself god and demand worship and then we will know that we have approximately 3.5 years left. We wont know the day or hour but we surely will know the season, we who are the elect and understand the word and what it is talking about with no delusions to misguide us.
One mind, (Christ/God's mind), one accord (again God's) one purpose (yes, you've guessed it, God's) then the army of the Lord shall stand stopping being of glitter and lace but becoming dominate and maturing as warriors of righteousness. Accepting no more influencing from the world and being distracted by what is going wrong in the world and not fearing evil (Psa 23:4) but crushing evil where where all demonic activity and foolishness of religion is put under the feet (Rom 16:20) of those true in God.
And also, sorry to say -- I know it probably wasn't intentional, but you have a whole army of believers out here who don't think they can do anything for God, who have learned to feel that they are dumb and powerless, maybe because we have professionals doing it all so seemingly perfectly. We get to stay in our comfort zone, and the professionals get to be indispensable and have job security -- but Jesus' Church isn't about either one of those things.
Institutional church has some wonderful things about it, but it just can't provide the family-type level of relationship that people are hungry for. I know, in the most well-intentioned way, it does try to provide that -- but it really can't. I know most of the awesome moments in my spiritual life have been in conversation with one or two other people, not during the big show on Sunday. I think so many people need an alleviation of their isolation and loneliness, that big Sunday meetings cannot provide. They are hungry for relationship, I think.
@LeastOfAllSaints123 Fantastic verse. I tried to find it in the bible. Can you please give me its scripture reference so I can study the greek..Thank you
I would really recommend reading Pagan Christianity by Barna and Viola. They do a very nice job of explaining how traditional church actually stifles growth and makes "church" into something it was never designed to be. :o)
Amen!! You may also enjoy the books on Smith Wiggleworth. They are just awesome, if interested you can still get them on Amazon. Many Blessings & stay safe in these troubling times~
@THS66 when did Jesus ever tell us to attend a church... and the early church only met in each others houses, how is what these people talking about against what Jesus taugh?
Very well done. Re abuse of doctrine and praxis, we need to acknowledge that it is going to happen. We still sin and err. But it happens in larger churches as well. Jesus promised to guide His church. That doesn't mean that there won't be errors or pain, but the Lord knows those who are His and will guide them through. IAC, we may not have much choice in the matter soon. We are fast losing favor among the dominant culture, and one day may need to emulate churches such as the one in China.
The reason for having church in our homes, long ago, was for fear of being killed. Having a church to meet in is a blessing from God! Those who want a closer walk with God out side of a "big" church should go to a bible study. Thats why we have them... Hiding in our homes when we have no reason for it, is not Gods glory, it's saying I give up on teachers of the word and also saying I'm better then you. The devotion you have with our Lord, is up to you, but this to me is not the way.
I think you missed my point(s): a)ALL churches are fraught with "heresy", your own church is NOT an exception -- the heresy argument does not wash as a criticism of house church b)the fact that a group or individual holds views I consider erroneous ought not to exclude them from fellowship. The "heresies" I listed are, IMHO, seriously false teachings; nevertheless I respect and love and continue to fellowship with my brethren (both clergy and lay people) in the institutional church.
We do both. That is to say - we meet sunday morning and regularly at each others homes. Both are important. When people quote the bible about the original church and getting back to roots somehow they come to a one sided view that it should be small and face to face. Let's not forget about Jesus feeding the 5000, 4000 or moving out on the water in a boat because of the crowds. So let's not say there is one way which is better which is pride but offer up to God in humility what we have, for He w
It is so good to challenge us all to be the church instead of focusing on going to church. BUT we need to becareful we do not attack and put down the old church systems. We are still ALL the Body of Christ. We all have wrong theology in areas we are blind to. Instead of throwing stones at the systems of old we need to strategise and apply Godly wisdom built on the example of the longsuffering love of Christ on how to bring people into revelation of the freedom & life found in church of Acts etc
I love how they go on about how it's not the building or physical structure that matter's. Yet they also stress it's all about meeting in a "house" that's the biblical way. ?????? The Chirch also met in Solomons Portico which that time was a large structure and meeting area. LISTEN: There's nothing wrong with where we meet! It's why we meet! And what we do with it when we're not meeting (ie in the world)
I keep hearing this is a big movement, but In San Diego it's just now starting and very small. I went to an organic church, and it didn't seem right, they were all into this book "the shack". I'll keep looking, maybe I'll find a group that believes in solid Biblical doctrine as well as simple church.
I understand this philosophy and agree with much of it. However, the flip side (and the historical side) is that almost *all* of the early disciples were Jewish and continued to go to synagogue which had a prescribed liturgy and forms. The New Testament bears this out. Also, early Christians, while meeting in homes, continued to have a prescribed structure and format to their worship services. Historical records such as the Didache (as well as others) bears this out as well. In fact, even the New Testament accounts of house church meetings still maintained an order to them as well as gifted individuals that oversaw the meetings; teachers who taught, pastors who discipled, elders who maintained discipline - even excommunicating those involved in heresies. It wasn't simply a "kumbayah" meeting. There was an order and structure that was present that lots of house church advocates seem to want to do away with. History seems to show that the disciples of Jesus met at a prescribed "house of worship" (i.e. synagogue) and also met up regularly during the week where they celebrated their love feasts and tended to each others' needs. History does not seem to indicate there was an "either/or" situation between organized worship in a central location and a house church meeting/fellowship. They both seemed to have happened simultaneously.
sounds kind of like the model for the NT Church as according to the Bible! i met in a living room church for many years when i began observing the weekly Sabbath. word of caution, in some cities, "churches" have to meet a certain criteria of government code for "places of assembly", etc. i view that as very anti-Constitutional and none of government's business, but none the less, it's noteworthy. the scripture "wise as serpents, harmless as doves" comes to mind! 8-) Godbless...
I don't really understand how the simple church operate. Is this the same as The Simple Church channel on TH-cam. Because they operate like it's just another non denominational church.
I agree that it's dangerous but in a good way. If by "church" you mean the idolatrous institution that we've set up as a sacred cow in place of passionately following Jesus, then Godspeed to our abandonment of it. There's no "maybe" about it: we either are the Church or we aren't. If "church" is simply an event that we attend or an organization that we support, it's an obstacle to our communion with God and His people and I pray that we have the courage to expose and reject it as such.
@yurnotkidding Well, you're right. We don't know each other. And while your assertion that there is "a lot" wrong with the Viola book, I will say that there is also "a lot right with it." I think I'll decline to read the other book. I don't need a book to tell me that the church is WAY off course for the most part, anyway. The Viola book only confirmed what I can see with my own eyes.
For more on simple church check out the new book: "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia" on Amazon at www.amazon.com/Beyond-Church-Lost-Bible-Ekklesia/dp/1518744567/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Answering the heresie question: most heresies are born in the citadel's of higher learning. Jesus likened the Church to a mustard tree: the general outline of a tree is recognizable, but the individual branches have a wide degree of freedom to go wherever they will, as long as they are attached to the tree. He als said that the birds of the air (refer to the previous parable for the identity of the birds) would perch in the branches; Jesus recognized that false teachers would seek haven there.
We must remember what Jesus told us " The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and believe Gospel " People need to hear the Truth... Paul remembered what Jesus said and kept preached " Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus " Acts 20:21
@THS66 The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.
Great idea and biblical, but I just hope 'Simple Church' doesn't become an institutionalized denomination in itself and become the very thing it set out to avoid.
Please judge the spirit of my comment. 1. There are only 3 titles in the Body, brother, sister and LORD. 2. God gives the growth not us dragging fleshy people out of the institutions and increasing our numbers. 3. We don't want to make a "name for ourselves under heaven" so we don't name it, build it or control it. The 1st century fellowship acted unanomously, that way you knew God was in control. It also kept someone's "vision" from taking over the Lord's vision!
My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13). We have settled for a broken cistern system of church and should call it what it is, a man-made institution that hinders God's purposes in the earth. Jesus did not draw back from declaring the truth, neither should we. He was a tradition-destroyer, one who confronted the Pharisees on making void God's word.
GOD has been dealing with me about this for a while now. He has called me to start a small group home church. Get out of the organized religions. Come back to Him in a way Jesus taught us in the early christian groups.
Yes... making disciples of people... NOT church goers. We are the church... we are to be making disciples of other... not making church goers. We should all be involved like the domino effect starting all the way back to the first century Pentacost small gathering... when tongues of fire fell on the apostles... walking out on the streets... laying hands on the sick... casting out demons... everything JESUS DID!!! Oh church... oh Christian... be a disciple... and teach others to be disciples.
Who is a "lay" person? Are not all who are the Lord's Kings and Priests and do they not ALL have the Spirit of God to teach them all things? (1st John) Why do you substitute the reality of the work of God in men with some school you call a seminary? How many of these "seminaries" did Jesus or any of the disciples establish? It really boils down to trusting God to build His church or trusting the devices of man.
@Watchthis7777777 I agrree. I have a blog with teaching on that very thing. It advocates moving back to the biblical model of house churching without being bitter towards the "institutional church". I don't play around , I lay it on the line pretty directly but admonish readers to remember that we are brothers and sisters and need to love each other and appreciate those who have taught us the word of God.
If you want a closer walk with God, then you should deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ. Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fufill the lust of the flesh. God's kingdom requires participation, and that's not just singing the hymn sandwhich on a sunday morning. Surrender to the King of Kings. Lay down all for Him. :)
I have been in house church for the past 8 years. I could not go back to the institutional religious structure. I have learned more about the Lord, love and servanthood. It will challenge and encourage you to grow more in the Lord and His Body. Thank You Lord for pulling me out to place me in Your Body.
I have thrown myself headlong into this revolution for life.
This is not a fad, this is the beautiful church Yeshua created!
Sean
Beer Sheva, Israel
Hello Amen!
It is time for the true church to ARISE & shine and DEMONSTRATE the works of the lord!
God Bless ~
amen Keith!! you understand the true meaning of Church.
We cannot leave IF we are IN Him.
Glory to God...amazing things happen in organic Church bcoz you will experience the fullness of Christ headship during the gathering...Godbless us
The last line in this video voiced why I left a congregation 2 years ago. I felt that my entire existance was to help the pastor and his wife accomplish THEIR vision. I realized I was not living what God had called ME to do.
Ya'll are sayin' it!
Absolutely essential for the growth of the body around the world! For over twenty years we did this. Then moved to another part of the state. Waited for five years, learning about our new amazing and unique neighborhood, and for the Lord to move us out into the field. Two "official" churches did not appeal, tried one small gathering, neat people but still not where He wanted us. Now in a fellowship of
I long for a "simple church" like this.
What an uplifting video, what an inspiration. Here in America we don't face the dangers that believers in Iran or China face for holding worship meetings at someone's house. We can do it without fear of imprisonment, of being beaten, or even killed. We have no excuse for not letting the Holy Spirit lead us on so God can get the glory. Thanks for uploading this.
Thank you for posting this!
Oh my Lord, how I want to be a part of this! These guys are describing the vision that's been planted deep inside me for years, and I think thousands will recognize the same longing when they see this simple Jesus-life being lived out.
Yay thanks for uploading, that's how church should be simple and uncomplicated. God is not complicated only people make things complicated. Nice video, very refreshing I totally agree. I love the house church Idea.
It all comes down to one simple thing: Either you're a spectator or you're a participant. If you enjoy being a spectator, the world has no shortage of supply of institutionalized churches for your brand of Christianity.
thanks for posting and confirming what the Lord has spoken to my husband and I to do.
Thank you so much for posting this!!!
in Jesus' name -Acts 2:38-42
My heart cry for this to be reviled
@jonpdale You got it man! This is it ! We have to be the church even though we are not in the church! Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this video. it is so good to hear what our marvelous Lord Jesus is doing! He said that HE would build his church and that is exactly what he is doing. this new move of god isn't only happening in the USA, it is happening here in the UK and other parts of the world. Jesus is doing it. Maranatha!
@THS66 Meeting with a congregation in a home does not mean you don't attend church. The early Christians met primarily in homes from what we can see in the Bible.
As Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so is His church the same as He started it. We have the Scriptures in our language, which is a miracle itself. We have all the original new testament teachings, edifications, warnings, and rebukes of the early apostles and elders, to which they told us that we would do well to listen to and obey, the theme of which is holinss unto to the Lord, without which we will not see Him.
Thank you for your video. Please pray for me and my 2 daughters.
Great Video.
I love this! Life changing
Awesome video.
Please pray for me that I will find a house church I just came out of the organized one and feel alone without a family to share with and help . Thanks
Awesome video
I think the point is to develop stronger individual relationships so that we can come together on better ground. I left "the church" when I was 16 because of how poorly people acted, but that was no reason to abandon God! It's better to offer people quiet relationships with God than defective and negative relationships with the wrong people.
Hello,
Yes, it is scary but thank God there are many spirit filled believers who has discerned its time to GET OUT & follow the Holy Spirit Rom 8:14
God bless you & stay safe in these troubling times~
.
Real saints talking real sentiments most of us feel in the spectator organized professional church that has everything except.
What we all need
One anothering in Christs love. Building each other up in the faith.
Daily. And not a 1-2 spectator event on Sunday
Worship without walls, true discipleship and fellowship. My small church is my family and our focus on being proactive in the community 7 days a week is a perfect combination for me. I fear if a member leaves the congregation for this movement, instead of worshipping in small groups within the home, he or she risks becoming a shut-in or becomes a passive Christian rather than a proactive desciple in the community.
@jonpdale You it man! This is it, we haave to be the church even though we are not in the church! best regards.
wonderful exactly what i see and hear from the Holy Spirit. The Lord told me to come away from organized religion. No matter how much a non denominational church claims they are not about religion they are wrong they are an organization and not equipping the body to go out and make disciples of the world. Let us come together in unity in Christ of one mind and one body though we are separate form one another, and make disciples as the Lord commanded us!
*****
i love it!! i hope you are well Rosemary? It is amazing just how well the Lord is writing the word on my heart as i ask, He makes it so, and i am feeling beyond blessed by it. Hugs to you sister
yeah i do not know I have not found a house church yet or anyone of like mind around me. So i cannot make a house church nor can i find one to go to. There was one i knew of but I was like naaah i do not want to go there because the people i know that go there are not right in the Lord.
So I pray if the lord wants me to go to a church He will point it out so far i just live in Him and read His word, and that is a great place to be!
I have read parts of the quran but I have also read more of their book of their eschatology and that book is the Hadith. It is exactly perfectly mirror opposite of our Eschatology. I would say we are near to the end times very very near and are getting ever closer, but that temple has got to be built and that 7 year treaty with the many must be signed we have seen neither height nor hair of either as of yet.
The antichrist has to stand in that temple and call himself god and demand worship and then we will know that we have approximately 3.5 years left.
We wont know the day or hour but we surely will know the season, we who are the elect and understand the word and what it is talking about with no delusions to misguide us.
yes i know Walid Shoebat and have listened to him many times. Joel Richardson also is an excellent source to find out about the muslims eschatology.
One mind, (Christ/God's mind), one accord (again God's) one purpose (yes, you've guessed it, God's) then the army of the Lord shall stand stopping being of glitter and lace but becoming dominate and maturing as warriors of righteousness. Accepting no more influencing from the world and being distracted by what is going wrong in the world and not fearing evil (Psa 23:4) but crushing evil where where all demonic activity and foolishness of religion is put under the feet (Rom 16:20) of those true in God.
And also, sorry to say -- I know it probably wasn't intentional, but you have a whole army of believers out here who don't think they can do anything for God, who have learned to feel that they are dumb and powerless, maybe because we have professionals doing it all so seemingly perfectly.
We get to stay in our comfort zone, and the professionals get to be indispensable and have job security -- but Jesus' Church isn't about either one of those things.
Institutional church has some wonderful things about it, but it just can't provide the family-type level of relationship that people are hungry for. I know, in the most well-intentioned way, it does try to provide that -- but it really can't. I know most of the awesome moments in my spiritual life have been in conversation with one or two other people, not during the big show on Sunday. I think so many people need an alleviation of their isolation and loneliness, that big Sunday meetings cannot provide. They are hungry for relationship, I think.
Deborah Nickerson So true.
Deborah Nickerson yes I so agree with you
@harmono - Maybe it might be your calling to start a gathering in your home. Pray about it.
@LeastOfAllSaints123 Fantastic verse. I tried to find it in the bible. Can you please give me its scripture reference so I can study the greek..Thank you
I would really recommend reading Pagan Christianity by Barna and Viola. They do a very nice job of explaining how traditional church actually stifles growth and makes "church" into something it was never designed to be. :o)
Hey frankandcathy...I've read that book, Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola...awesome!! Another book I recommend by him is From Eternity to Here
Amen!! You may also enjoy the books on Smith Wiggleworth. They are just awesome, if interested you can still get them on Amazon.
Many Blessings & stay safe in these troubling times~
@THS66 when did Jesus ever tell us to attend a church... and the early church only met in each others houses, how is what these people talking about against what Jesus taugh?
very interesting. and very scarey!
Very well done. Re abuse of doctrine and praxis, we need to acknowledge that it is going to happen. We still sin and err. But it happens in larger churches as well.
Jesus promised to guide His church. That doesn't mean that there won't be errors or pain, but the Lord knows those who are His and will guide them through.
IAC, we may not have much choice in the matter soon. We are fast losing favor among the dominant culture, and one day may need to emulate churches such as the one in China.
The reason for having church in our homes, long ago, was for fear of being killed. Having a church to meet in is a blessing from God!
Those who want a closer walk with God out side of a "big" church should go to a bible study. Thats why we have them...
Hiding in our homes when we have no reason for it, is not Gods glory, it's saying I give up on teachers of the word and also saying I'm better then you.
The devotion you have with our Lord, is up to you, but this to me is not the way.
Cell groups are not the same as house church...Dont get that mixed up!!!
I think you missed my point(s):
a)ALL churches are fraught with "heresy", your own church is NOT an exception -- the heresy argument does not wash as a criticism of house church
b)the fact that a group or individual holds views I consider erroneous ought not to exclude them from fellowship. The "heresies" I listed are, IMHO, seriously false teachings; nevertheless I respect and love and continue to fellowship with my brethren (both clergy and lay people) in the institutional church.
Not just simple church.
Jesus's original church.
We do both. That is to say - we meet sunday morning and regularly at each others homes. Both are important. When people quote the bible about the original church and getting back to roots somehow they come to a one sided view that it should be small and face to face. Let's not forget about Jesus feeding the 5000, 4000 or moving out on the water in a boat because of the crowds. So let's not say there is one way which is better which is pride but offer up to God in humility what we have, for He w
It is so good to challenge us all to be the church instead of focusing on going to church. BUT we need to becareful we do not attack and put down the old church systems. We are still ALL the Body of Christ. We all have wrong theology in areas we are blind to. Instead of throwing stones at the systems of old we need to strategise and apply Godly wisdom built on the example of the longsuffering love of Christ on how to bring people into revelation of the freedom & life found in church of Acts etc
well thats not the mistake of the house church movement! its the character of that leader..
I love how they go on about how it's not the building or physical structure that matter's. Yet they also stress it's all about meeting in a "house" that's the biblical way. ?????? The Chirch also met in Solomons Portico which that time was a large structure and meeting area. LISTEN: There's nothing wrong with where we meet! It's why we meet! And what we do with it when we're not meeting (ie in the world)
I keep hearing this is a big movement, but In San Diego it's just now starting and very small. I went to an organic church, and it didn't seem right, they were all into this book "the shack". I'll keep looking, maybe I'll find a group that believes in solid Biblical doctrine as well as simple church.
The idea is to be the church, and support the Kingdom - and that I think IS what Jesus taught.
I understand this philosophy and agree with much of it. However, the flip side (and the historical side) is that almost *all* of the early disciples were Jewish and continued to go to synagogue which had a prescribed liturgy and forms. The New Testament bears this out. Also, early Christians, while meeting in homes, continued to have a prescribed structure and format to their worship services. Historical records such as the Didache (as well as others) bears this out as well.
In fact, even the New Testament accounts of house church meetings still maintained an order to them as well as gifted individuals that oversaw the meetings; teachers who taught, pastors who discipled, elders who maintained discipline - even excommunicating those involved in heresies.
It wasn't simply a "kumbayah" meeting.
There was an order and structure that was present that lots of house church advocates seem to want to do away with.
History seems to show that the disciples of Jesus met at a prescribed "house of worship" (i.e. synagogue) and also met up regularly during the week where they celebrated their love feasts and tended to each others' needs.
History does not seem to indicate there was an "either/or" situation between organized worship in a central location and a house church meeting/fellowship.
They both seemed to have happened simultaneously.
sounds kind of like the model for the NT Church as according to the Bible!
i met in a living room church for many years when i began observing the weekly Sabbath.
word of caution, in some cities, "churches" have to meet a certain criteria of government code for "places of assembly", etc. i view that as very anti-Constitutional and none of government's business, but none the less, it's noteworthy.
the scripture "wise as serpents, harmless as doves" comes to mind! 8-)
Godbless...
I don't really understand how the simple church operate. Is this the same as The Simple Church channel on TH-cam. Because they operate like it's just another non denominational church.
I agree that it's dangerous but in a good way. If by "church" you mean the idolatrous institution that we've set up as a sacred cow in place of passionately following Jesus, then Godspeed to our abandonment of it. There's no "maybe" about it: we either are the Church or we aren't. If "church" is simply an event that we attend or an organization that we support, it's an obstacle to our communion with God and His people and I pray that we have the courage to expose and reject it as such.
@yurnotkidding Well, you're right. We don't know each other. And while your assertion that there is "a lot" wrong with the Viola book, I will say that there is also "a lot right with it." I think I'll decline to read the other book. I don't need a book to tell me that the church is WAY off course for the most part, anyway. The Viola book only confirmed what I can see with my own eyes.
we are certainly supposed to, anyway! 8-) but there are a lot of rights which the governments (Fed & State) often choose to ignore.
For more on simple church check out the new book: "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia" on Amazon at www.amazon.com/Beyond-Church-Lost-Bible-Ekklesia/dp/1518744567/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Answering the heresie question: most heresies are born in the citadel's of higher learning. Jesus likened the Church to a mustard tree: the general outline of a tree is recognizable, but the individual branches have a wide degree of freedom to go wherever they will, as long as they are attached to the tree. He als said that the birds of the air (refer to the previous parable for the identity of the birds) would perch in the branches; Jesus recognized that false teachers would seek haven there.
Look at these guys :
Theparishokc check them out on twitter, Facebook, and TH-cam even!
@SaudaraLink Right On!
We must remember what Jesus told us
" The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; Repent and believe Gospel "
People need to hear the Truth...
Paul remembered what Jesus said and kept preached
" Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus "
Acts 20:21
@THS66 The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn't non-denominational - it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.
Amen
Great idea and biblical, but I just hope 'Simple Church' doesn't become an institutionalized denomination in itself and become the very thing it set out to avoid.
The gospel of Jesus is not a commodity to be bought or sold, neither should any clergy eat meat by it; nor should any clergy be in control of you.
Please judge the spirit of my comment. 1. There are only 3 titles in the Body, brother, sister and LORD. 2. God gives the growth not us dragging fleshy people out of the institutions and increasing our numbers. 3. We don't want to make a "name for ourselves under heaven" so we don't name it, build it or control it. The 1st century fellowship acted unanomously, that way you knew God was in control. It also kept someone's "vision" from taking over the Lord's vision!
My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13).
We have settled for a broken cistern system of church and should call it what it is, a man-made institution that hinders God's purposes in the earth. Jesus did not draw back from declaring the truth, neither should we. He was a tradition-destroyer, one who confronted the Pharisees on making void God's word.
What is church meant to be anyway? Check out Church: What Was God Thinking?
Early church were organized.
dreamy
right!
TITLE : What is Simple Church?
Well ... What is a Simple Mind , what is ...
GOD has been dealing with me about this for a while now. He has called me to start a small group home church. Get out of the organized religions. Come back to Him in a way Jesus taught us in the early christian groups.
OMFG!
Doesn't pick up your cross meen to be willing to suffer?
Yes... making disciples of people... NOT church goers. We are the church... we are to be making disciples of other... not making church goers. We should all be involved like the domino effect starting all the way back to the first century Pentacost small gathering... when tongues of fire fell on the apostles... walking out on the streets... laying hands on the sick... casting out demons... everything JESUS DID!!! Oh church... oh Christian... be a disciple... and teach others to be disciples.
Sound like the Quakers.
Who is a "lay" person? Are not all who are the Lord's Kings and Priests and do they not ALL have the Spirit of God to teach them all things? (1st John)
Why do you substitute the reality of the work of God in men with some school you call a seminary? How many of these "seminaries" did Jesus or any of the disciples establish? It really boils down to trusting God to build His church or trusting the devices of man.
Anyone in Chilliwack Bc that this resignates with? PM me, please! Only those that are bananas about Jesus… no nuts…
@Watchthis7777777 I agrree. I have a blog with teaching on that very thing. It advocates moving back to the biblical model of house churching without being bitter towards the "institutional church". I don't play around , I lay it on the line pretty directly but admonish readers to remember that we are brothers and sisters and need to love each other and appreciate those who have taught us the word of God.
If you want a closer walk with God, then you should deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ. Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fufill the lust of the flesh.
God's kingdom requires participation, and that's not just singing the hymn sandwhich on a sunday morning.
Surrender to the King of Kings. Lay down all for Him. :)
here is the church here is the steeple open the doors see all the people!!! jk
Glory to God...amazing things happen in organic Church bcoz you will experience the fullness of Christ headship during the gathering...Godbless us
@jonpdale You it man! This is it, we haave to be the church even though we are not in the church! best regards.
Glory to God...amazing things happen in organic Church bcoz you will experience the fullness of Christ headship during the gathering...Godbless us