the house church movement. what is the house church? it is not the fact that we meet in a house!...

The House ChurchMovement

What is the House Church?

• It is NOT the fact that we meet in a house!

•Romans 16:51 Cor. 16:19Philemon 2Colossians 4:15


• A movement seeking to reform the “traditional structure” of the church!

• It all but condemns authority for owning a building

• Found in many denominations


• Influenced by “brethren”• “This book challenges

traditional thinking, calling brethren to throw off the denominational thinking which obscures our historic commitment to biblical restoration,…


• 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…”


• Influenced by “brethren”• “…and radically-motivated,

counter-culture disciples of Christ.”Radical Restoration,F. LaGard Smith, “Scholar in residence for Christian Studies” at David Lipscomb University

True Gospel Preaching…

• 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 Church?


• Worship is spontaneous ANYONE can speak up anytime (men and women)Upbeat songs (camp style) with hand clapping, etc. Usually associated with a social gathering (a “potluck”).


- Was priesthood spontaneous?- 1 Cor. 14:27, 33-34


• The Lord’s Supper centered around a “fellowship meal”– a regular shared meal

– with a loaf of bread and jug of juice in middle of table.


1 Cor. 11:20-22, 34 “Do you not have

houses to eat and drink in?”


• Argued that Lord’s Supper was part of the Passover meal and therefore to be taken with a common meal of remembrance


What about the specific foods for Passover

(bitter herbs, lamb, etc.) Luke 22:20, 1 Cor. 11:25

“After Supper”

The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to be

observed with reverence

1 Cor. 11:27-29


• NOT real and substantive preaching – POSITIVE preaching, shallow and informal(anyone can speak up)

• Elimination of “traditional” leadership roles (elders, located preacher, etc.)


Located Preachers – 1 Tim. 1:3, Ac. 8:40,

21:8, 19:10, 18:11, etc.Elders as shepherds

(leaders) Ac. 20:28, 1 Pet. 5:2-3

As to preaching – see Positive Preaching

Movement!2 Tim. 4:2-4

True Gospel Preaching…• 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 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,…



• “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),


True Gospel Preaching…• “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.”


True Gospel Preaching…• 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)



• The word “service” while at times is INVOLVED in worship does NOT always mean worship!

•Matthew 4:10•Romans 1:25•Hebrews 13:10


Worship is something we INTEND to do!

John 4:23-24, Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 14:26

- In ALL we do, we SERVE God, but NOT

everything IS worship!RESPECT HIS

PATTERN!


• It is divisive! 1 Cor. 1:10• How does a “house church” begin?• 2 or 3 “spiritual” families move in• They question preacher & elders• Attack worship service• They attack the elder and preacher• Disseminate literature• Draw members away!

Why House Church Movement is Wrong

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him… One who sows

discord among brethren.”

Prov. 6:16-19


• It is unscriptural

• Rejects God’s pattern for the church AND her organization (weakens eldership – if any; women take leadership roles, no preacher allowed, …)



• 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



• 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!

the house church movement. what is the house church? it is not the fact that we meet in a house!...

Documents

house church movement

true gospel preaching

house churches

word slide

true restoration

traditional church model

positive preaching movement

lords supper