THE HOUSE CHURCH IN ACTS 2
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
3000 JEWS CAME TO CHRIST
These 3000 Jews responded to Peter's words, as recorded in Acts 2. Suddenly converted by God, the Holy Spirit; He also baptized them into the Body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:11-16). While ignorant of Christianiy, they knew they would be exposed to much persecution and contempt, and many trials, yet the record is that they adhered to the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion. The word rendered continued stedfastly, \~proskarterountev\~, means attending one, remaining by his side, not leaving or forsaking him.
THEY HUNGERED FOR GOD'S WORD.
The apostles' doctrine means that they adhered to, or attended on, their teaching or instruction. Doctrine also means a collection and arrangement of abstract views supposed to be contained in the Bible. One evidence of conversion is a desire to be instructed in the doctrines and duties of religion, and a willingness to attend on the preaching of the gospel.
KOINONIA BROUGHT SOMETHING LIKE BONDING
And fellowship. The word rendered fellowship, \~koinwnia\~ is often rendered communion. It properly denotes having things in common, or participation, society, friendship. It may apply to anything which may be possessed in common, or in which all may partake. Thus all Christians have the same hope of heaven; the same joys; the same hatred of sin; the same enemies to contend with. Thus they have the same subjects of conversation, of feeling, and of prayer; or they have communion in these things. Communion--common all come from the Greek, koine. Even the Greek is koine greek. Actually
A BONDING AND UNITY DEVELOPED IN THE JERUSALEM CHURCH
The early Christians had their property in common. The word here may apply to either or to all--to their conversation, their prayers, their dangers, or their property; and means that they were united to the apostles, and participated with them in whatever befell them.
The effect of a revival of religion unites Christians more and more, and to bring those who were before separated to union and love. Christians feel that they are a band of brethren, and that however much they were separated before they became Christians, now they have great and important interests in common; united in feelings, in interest, in dangers, in conflicts, in opinions, and in the hopes of a blessed immortality
LARGE NUMBERS OF CHRISTIANS, SUCH AS IN JERUSALEM--ANTIOCH--EPHESUS MUST HAVE BUILT LARGE CHURCH BUILDINGS. no
!
N
O -they did not
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
3000 JEWS CAME TO CHRIST
These 3000 Jews responded to Peter's words, as recorded in Acts 2. Suddenly converted by God, the Holy Spirit; He also baptized them into the Body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:11-16). While ignorant of Christianiy, they knew they would be exposed to much persecution and contempt, and many trials, yet the record is that they adhered to the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion. The word rendered continued stedfastly, \~proskarterountev\~, means attending one, remaining by his side, not leaving or forsaking him.
THEY HUNGERED FOR GOD'S WORD.
The apostles' doctrine means that they adhered to, or attended on, their teaching or instruction. Doctrine also means a collection and arrangement of abstract views supposed to be contained in the Bible. One evidence of conversion is a desire to be instructed in the doctrines and duties of religion, and a willingness to attend on the preaching of the gospel.
KOINONIA BROUGHT SOMETHING LIKE BONDING
And fellowship. The word rendered fellowship, \~koinwnia\~ is often rendered communion. It properly denotes having things in common, or participation, society, friendship. It may apply to anything which may be possessed in common, or in which all may partake. Thus all Christians have the same hope of heaven; the same joys; the same hatred of sin; the same enemies to contend with. Thus they have the same subjects of conversation, of feeling, and of prayer; or they have communion in these things. Communion--common all come from the Greek, koine. Even the Greek is koine greek. Actually
A BONDING AND UNITY DEVELOPED IN THE JERUSALEM CHURCH
The early Christians had their property in common. The word here may apply to either or to all--to their conversation, their prayers, their dangers, or their property; and means that they were united to the apostles, and participated with them in whatever befell them.
The effect of a revival of religion unites Christians more and more, and to bring those who were before separated to union and love. Christians feel that they are a band of brethren, and that however much they were separated before they became Christians, now they have great and important interests in common; united in feelings, in interest, in dangers, in conflicts, in opinions, and in the hopes of a blessed immortality
LARGE NUMBERS OF CHRISTIANS, SUCH AS IN JERUSALEM--ANTIOCH--EPHESUS MUST HAVE BUILT LARGE CHURCH BUILDINGS. no
!
N
O -they did not
Many if not most still-standing ancient churches are large or very large mainly empty structures: basilicas etc.. These churches according to experts "...were built over older churches" that belonged to the Ephesus--Corinthian era.
Usually, the general public identify the building of where church meets is the church. However, Evangelical Christians will agree they know the Greek word Ekklasia translated "church" really means an assembly or group of Christians, and "church does not mean a building."
However, invariably Western culture Christians, Evangelical or not, will eventually build a building--if not immediately, sometimes before assembly exists. This idea of building a structure and calling it "church" has been with us for close to 2000 years. We as Evangelical do the same as they, we go to and attend services, maintaining it at some exspence. We do this as a place to meet God.
Usually, the general public identify the building of where church meets is the church. However, Evangelical Christians will agree they know the Greek word Ekklasia translated "church" really means an assembly or group of Christians, and "church does not mean a building."
However, invariably Western culture Christians, Evangelical or not, will eventually build a building--if not immediately, sometimes before assembly exists. This idea of building a structure and calling it "church" has been with us for close to 2000 years. We as Evangelical do the same as they, we go to and attend services, maintaining it at some exspence. We do this as a place to meet God.
3000-- CHRISTIANS HAD NO CHURCH BUILDING WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
Christian archeology has reinvestigated old church sites. The findings: Without exception, revealed without exception no church building or any other kind of Christian meeting place to be found / buried beneath any Constantinian-era church buildings. Archaeologists found either virgin land or pagan temples or marketplaces or shops, but no evidence anywhere of any kind of building used for Christian gatherings.
The implications were staggering-and still are! They are a call to the whole church, Catholic and Protestant, to rethink the nature of what we call "church."
Christian archeology has reinvestigated old church sites. The findings: Without exception, revealed without exception no church building or any other kind of Christian meeting place to be found / buried beneath any Constantinian-era church buildings. Archaeologists found either virgin land or pagan temples or marketplaces or shops, but no evidence anywhere of any kind of building used for Christian gatherings.
The implications were staggering-and still are! They are a call to the whole church, Catholic and Protestant, to rethink the nature of what we call "church."
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