Somehow I am not able to get it. But I did listen to the one on the website mentioned on your first email.
I have several comments, first what is being called biblical church demonstrated by several “principles.”
I don’t see the bible supporting “those” principles on which Jesus built His body or called out ones. I am referring to how I see those principles within the house church movement being practiced compared to the early believers and the disciples of Jesus.
We have gone from the Spirit that changed the world to the house that changed the world.
First, let me say that the early church was not built on principles, but a person... Jesus.
Second, obedience to Jesus was the first thing we noticed by the early church. “Teaching [instructing] them to observe [do] all things that I have commanded you; Matt 28:20 NKJV
Teaching was not for information, but instruction on how to live with the Lord and one another. Scripture tells us what to do: repent, love one another, be united, how to manifest the gifts in our meetings, etc..We are told the people kept the apostles teachings. They didn’t memorize them, they obeyed them. They weren’t the source of forms, principles and methods, but the source of life. One can’t believe if they don’t obey the Lord. They taught on the cross and the riches in following Him. They had LOVE. If we love Him we WILL keep His commandments… He does have commandments that we need to obey. If our leaders are not obeying them how are we to obey them, or even know what they are. The more I experience the cross in my life, the more I love Him and the more I love Him the more I obey Him. I have an article called “the cross” on my website.
Third, the early church was built on unity. They were one in the city and God honored that unity with His presence. Jn 17 is too often neglected by the house church... and often the house churches too go by names or develop networks with denominational structures rather than unity. If we look at the responsibility of what we call the five fold ministry in Ephesians it is to bring us into unity: “till we all come to the unity of the faith….” Ephesians 4:13 NKJV
Those in leadership have crated mini-divisions throughout the city. I have personally challenged some of the speakers you had on the video. Unity is not something we find ourselves weeping over or endeavor to maintain. Leadership is dividing rather than uniting… hence no power… just principles taught in front with an institutional pulpit or standing before the laity crowd…. Those not allowed to interrupt.
In the house church conventions, they are a closed group of men who do not welcome other’s input. This sets up a kind of clergy/laity divide. They state we are all priest on the video, but they have limited the priesthood to themselves and those “they” have selected.
Fourth, the early church was built on God's presence and God's power and not men. 1 cor 12 -14 describes a body where the Holy Spirit is manifesting Himself through His body. Jesus would not permit His disciples to go out unless they had power. Luke 24:49, “but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." NKJV
Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me” NKJV
I have a whole article on my site concerning this matter, “Power vs Form”
We don’t see the healings, or “God working with us with signs following.” This is because we have ignored the practices mentioned above. We tend to develop a church that patterns “our” practices, that is what the institutional church does. Hence we have developed a status quo meeting of house church built around meeting in homes. Thus we find little repentance, weeping before God for His unity and His power and His presence. We don’t need God to do house church or simple church.
Fifth, we lack true city leadership. Some house churches have turned from all leadership. Others recognize only those in “their” group. City leaders bring in others to wake us up and call us to new life. Compliancy is dangerous… that is what happened to the institutional church. They have an agenda and they don’t want anyone coming in to challenge their agenda. We should be open to one another and thus we will find the love and unity that can come from the whole body.
I spend much time in weeping and prayer over His body. Some of us in our group meet twice a day to pray for the return of His power and presence. I weep over the hurting and sick, over the division and arrogance. Where are the leaders weeping between the porch and the alter mentioned in Joel? Let’s get back to Jesus and simply His word and what He sees as a priority. Let come together as leaders and speak to one another and stop our programs of house church and networks [denominations]… let’s repent from the works of our own hands.
But those in leadership in the house church movement will not let this happen. They have a hold on the house church movement and have become exalted as its leaders. They dance around unity, power, and the real body mentioned in Eph 4. We ain’t there!!! And meeting in a home with everyone sharing their opinions is not the answer. House churches are the shortest lived kind of churches known to the body; that should speak volumes to us. Hearing is something we need in this hour… “if you will hear His voice”
We have to wake up and look at the true “biblical principles” of the body of Christ demonstrated in the early believers. It was the Acts of the Holy Spirit!
I agree the house church is better… but is it God’s purpose?
Lord bless your efforts….
Andy
www.TheRealChurch.com or
www.TheHouseChurch.com same site
Read:
The cross
Power vs form
Early church meeting
