Great response. The truth shall make you free! Find the Lord and bless His name. He is not hiding in a building.

Yes take it to your homes and then to the streets. The Holy Spirit will Lead you. Just lift Jesus up. The business is just about done. Obey God and be hospitable to one another open the doors of your houses because the business won’t.

Just a thought but no were in the new testament do I see the apostles, disciples etc address each other by titles ( Apostle Paul , Apostle Peter). They always said Paul an Apostle. Firstly I am Paul and my calling just so happens to be this an apostle. They always addressed each other as brothers. Jesus even said call no man teacher ( Title) for you have one the Christ you are all brethren. When we carry a title we elevate ourselves in the eyes of others and the only one that should be elevated is our head Jesus Christ.

the scriptures state, "...and Saul (later Paul) went into the Synagogues and homes of those in "that way" as he persecuted the Church. So yes GOD is honored ANYWHERE we choose with him. This is why to 'pray in the closet', 'give in secret' is so freeing and private relationship. Wonderful

God is faithful 💜✞🕊

The advantages of following the simple pattern of home churches far outweigh the disadvantages. If you consider accountability and participation important then we should return to a pattern that allows for it. The early church meeting in the temple was not similar to our modern church meeting because it was a public gathering in a place antagonistic to the faith.

The Institutional 'Church" does not reflect nor provide for the functioning of the body with mutual edification. They have tried to overcome this fault with life groups, cell groups, etc but these are largely just a reflection and regurgitation of the pastor's sermon. This along with the clergy laity divide go a long way to show the inadequacy of the churches that exist. There are a ton of other non Biblical practices entangled with church as we see it today.

When Jesus said, "upon This Rock, I will build My church, He was NOT referring to a brick and mortar building (Matthew 16:18) He also tells us "full well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition (Mark 7:9). Instead of following the Lord, we have "put our own human spin" to what He has said, and WE have determined to follow that. There is a way out. Follow Him.

thank you for addressing this issue. This Is probably one of the most balanced assessments of house churches that I have heard. thanks again! God bless you all. :-)

I think it's God will to have both home churches and mega-churches. However, the former does mean close "family-friendly" fellowship, no building fund or building utilities or Pastor's salary to pay. The only leader of a home church should be the Holy Spirit, an elder or deacon should be there to keep order and facilitate.

Re: 1 Cor 11, you’ve read into the passage when you state they weren’t meeting in houses. “1 Corinthians 11:22 (ESV): 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?” This does not state they are not in a house, but that they each have their own houses for this.

"Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink?" doesn't imply they're not in one of their houses. I could easily mean "do you not have your own houses?" That said, I agree that there is no prescription of where the church should meet. There is only a model implied in Acts 2, and history is left to teach us the ups and downs of mega- and organized churches. Does the NT imply we build a Vatican with 30 foot walls around it?

This is an issue that has been heavy on my heart and mind lately. In America we have so many options and are not necessarily persecuted as heavily as some other countries where house churches are their only hope of hearing the Gospel. I also agree ideally both a smaller and larger combination is where I stand. But my only question I cannot seem to come to an answer on is this: if someone independently starts a house church (your neighbor bob down the road), and it grows, how is his theology and doctrine monitored? How is he being held accountable and developed? One thing I find comfort in with a church as an established place /building is in that establishment there is a proven track record of sound bibilical teaching (sermons etc - if you don’t like it don’t go), a system of support and resource for pastors, and the list goes on. My fear with a house church outside of a heavily persecuted area is that since anyone can start one - large amounts of people can be misled - whether knowingly Or unknowingly. I have talked with a couple of people who I’m pretty sure met regularly at house churches and there was not only no consistency in thought amongst them but there didn’t seem to be any organization. Just my thoughts - I love the idea of having both simultaneously.

Very well explained... Thank you

I love how Pastor John can articulate his points so clearly with scripture to support his points. Very well stated!

Wrong interepetation regarding Paul address regarding lord's table.But I respect the response and views of u uncle..Paul is not referring to a different place than homes.Pauls focus was on the attitude of believers who are over Eating in gathers in houses.but I have got a Correction.Church is not house not organisation not a building but a gathering of believers

Great ok WHERE AND HOW? JUST TRY TO FIND ONE

I wonder why he did not mention multiple involvement of the individuals and not a scheduled plan led by one person...

Each does that which seems right in his own sight...the falling away has come regarding a biblical anointed visible church.

John Piper is in the ‘western’ church system i.e big church buildings with coffee machines and waiting for people to come through the door and thus he cannot see anything different. House churches are the NT model for church and wherever house churches are the gospel is thriving and souls are being won.. How many souls is the average big traditional location church winning? The answer is not many.. They sit on a Sunday and wait for them to come through the door.

"Don´t you have houses to eat and drink in?" does not in any way imply the Corinthians were meeting in anything other than a house. A natural reading would be "Don´t you have [your own] houses?" On the final comment regarding Acts 4 reference to meeting both in the temple and in homes... come on. This is not a stamp of approval on both meeting places... the standard practice is what happens after Acts 7, not before. Architecture does impact discipleship, which is the reason for being of the church: Platform with many rows of pews/chairs in front is conducive to consumerism, not discipleship.

John Pipers bed time story for Calvinist parents: Little Johnny, God has predestined the minority of people to be saved and go to heaven forever, and He has predestined the majority of people to be eternally damned and burn in the fires of hell. We have no idea, little Johnny, if God has predestined you to be forever damned or forever saved. We love you, little Johnny, but we accept the fact that God might not love you, and that He may have plans to send you to hell for your future sins. If you do find yourself one day burning in hell because He hasn’t elected to save you, just remember that we will always love you, even if God hates you. Take comfort knowing that we are not like God. We will be in heaven forever only because we were unconditionally chosen for salvation before we were born. That would be the only reason that we won’t be in hell with you if you find yourself there. It won’t be because of anything we did. So also take comfort in knowing that. It may not seem fair, but who are we to judge God? So again, if you find yourself in hell, remember that we will always love you as we forever worship the God who loved us but who hated you, the God who sent His Son to die for us but not for you. Please, we ask, don’t let it bother you-if you find yourself in hell-that we love the God who hated you and showed you no mercy. We must accept the fact that God is sovereign, and He does what He pleases. My dear beloved Calvinist, will you teach that to your children or grandchildren? I suspect that your answer will be “never.” But why not? Why would you ever hide the wonderful “doctrines of grace,” the “Bible truth,” from your own children or grandchildren? TRUTH IN LOVE

Kinda ignores 1 Cor 14 doesn't it? "When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up." (v 26) "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged." (v 29-31) Hard to do that in all but the smallest church buildings.

i dont see a problem with them, they only become an issue if someone with an agenda begins a cult. the key thing (for any new believers especially) is having the freedom to have an opinion and freedom to leave without being condemned or threatened. yes a wayward person will need warning about messing with sin...but that freedom of choice is paramount..otherwise? you got a cult...and cults arent healthy.

In the New Testament no buildings were built ur rented.

JM is part of the false clergy based IC curse that has crippled believers for about 2000 years. He inhibits the functioning of the HS that is inside each believer with his long sermons that restrict men into being weak pew potato spectators. Find a gathering where 1 Corinthians 14:26...is practiced. Also read Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola.

Jesus Christ organizes His church by four geographic designations. Worldwide Body of Christ Region City House Let's look first at the house church. ( all caps added by me for emphasis ) Romans 16:5 KJV Likewise greet the church that is in their HOUSE. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 1 Corinthians 16:19 KJV The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their HOUSE. Colossians 4:15 KJV Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his HOUSE. Philemon 1:2 KJV And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy HOUSE Churches by Region and City Revelation 1:10&11 By Region ...to the seven churches in Asia By City ... Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea Jesus Christ organizes His church SOLELY BY GEOGRAPHY. Notice there is no "church of Paul" or "church of Peter". They don't even refer to house churches that way. It was "the church that is in their house". Not "their church". Yet we hear "my church" or "our church" all the time today. Whose church is it ? If it's ours, then it isn't the Lord's. Churches that identify themselves by a certain leader, sect, name, or denomination are promoting division. Division = Carnality 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 KJV For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? [4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Remember that Jesus Christ called His followers OUT of all sorts of sects and groups to follow HIM alone ! The only thing that should ever divide followers of Christ is the physical distance between them ! I believe that a true revival is coming, one that will return the true church to our roots.

Another question? Why do orthodox churches place Pastors as the leaders and teachers and healers. What happened to apostles?

The gathering without allowing EVERY believer present to share is a weak church. Without this participation thru the HolyGhost the church is unable to be strengthened. The model we are seeing is unbiblical and it’s not ok to change scripture and man make up his own man made replica

1 Corrinthians 11:17-22 does not state, let me repeat, does not state they met and not in a home. They very well were probably in a home and Paul was simply saying eat in your own home. This verse doesn't even imply a meeting place other than someone's home.

The whole stage set up in church buildings with the congregation sitting as an audience bothers me.

I have reservations about house churches. As a person who is a senior Pastor at a Southern Baptist Church, I can attest that while I am part of a denomination. That being said, it does not mean that our church does not have autonomy. What is means is that we agree on (roughly) 16 keys points concerning Christianity. Those attending our church are not forced to attend. They are, though, welcome to have open discussion to others concerning what the Word of God has to say. Our church has devoted its Sunday night service and its Wednesday night service to Bible study, where questions are happily encouraged. For some reason, too many people have taken the attitude that if you are going to a denominational church, you have somehow gone against the Word of God. It must be noted that the early churches were loosely formed. But as more and more people became Christians, it became vital that the followers protect themselves from those who sought to bring unsound doctrine into the body. By joining together and establishing a set of doctrinal statements, it protected these people from many of these people. A denomination is not a cult.. It is my personal belief that there are many out there who take an opposing viewpoint on this issue for varying reasons, which is perfectly acceptable. Again, I am sure that there are many sound Biblical house churches- just as there are Biblically sound denominational churches. I believe it very dangerous to take such a position to state that being a part of a denomination is against the teachings of Christ, which I find is an extremely dangerous position to take (not to mention slightly dogmatic).

So this is what we have when the carnally minded try to teach us spiritual things. So sad.

I had a pastor come visit my house but i wasnt home. Im new to the church, is this a red flag?

Believers need to leave their homes to assemble in someone else’s home. In regards to the reference of (1 Corinthians 17:22).

This is pretty silly and John should know better. In fact I'm sure he does. He's no doubt familiar with the didache that describes how the earliest Christians worshipped. He's also no doubt familiar with the archaeological evidence such as that found in Dura Europos where the earliest known house church was unearthed. The early church would have been very liturgical, with special places for baptism, iconography, eucharist, vestments, candles, etc. In short it would have looked a lot more like what you'd find in an Orthodox cathedral.

Adamantly disagree. The scriptures show us all examples of the Ekklesia meeting together. Not one of them showed the "flexibility" of heaping up money, taking on huge debt, buying property, construction, incorporation as a religious business of the state (501c3,) or hiring and employing salaried professionals to preach. The giving went to the needy believers period. Maybe/Probably the poor in general too. The filthy lucre religious business claims to be an Ekklesia, steals from poor believers to fund a capital-intensive anti-Biblical business model, and claims a scriptural authority to do so. There is not so much an example of an Ekklesia paying rent, nor are there any commands about rent or property purchase. Temple/Synagogue (till kicked out) homes (various types,) public places (see Roman Empire,) Tyrannus's school. Today, non-believers watch Born Again believers preaching at them out of an anti-scriptural dirty money pit.

Warning to the Christian church. You are blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and under the judgment of God. God is commanding all people to get out of the Christian church. Revelation18:4

He claims that scripture says nothing about "place" with regards to the church. This is absolutely FALSE !!!! 1 Corinthians 16:19 KJV The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. Colossians 4:15 KJV Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Philemon 1:2 KJV And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house The pattern and tradition of the church is CLEAR as being home based !

No. Absolutely NOT. ASK ME WHY

Ask Pastor John??? Thats religious tradition !! If I need a question answered,I ask God!! My sheep know my voice!! Man knows little to nothing compared to God! My sheep follow me a stranger they will not follow!!

Another false teacher mixing works with grace. Mark and avoid.