Wouldn't it be great to meet as the early believers did in the NT?
YES! amen, that is our hearts desire. We prayed for 4 years for fellowship while God prepared us. We believed others were out there but did not know who they were. So we patiently waited and trusted the Lord to make it happen, as He will for you too. On 7-28-10 David Eells and a group of elders discussed the early church structure and some personal experiences in home groups. Listen here 7/28/10
Let me tell you how we assemble.
When we gather, it begins with a meal around 2-3 pm on a Saturday when work schedules permit.
We eat, talk, fellowship (like what people love to do!..).
During the meal time, we may talk scripture, testify, answer questions, talk about our lives...
Later, we drift into the living room for some worshipful music either from a cd or some Holy Ghost worship music on youtube. here's one we like: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLiyPd-j8z8&feature=related
Sometimes we are blessed with someone who plays guitar or an instrument.
We will enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. God shows up and tears come to many eyes as we respond to His Presence.
People may share a teaching, a psalm, a revelation, we have had a prophesying or two, some questions may be asked.
Healings are received and demons have been cast out.
People have been saved and baptized.
Some needs may be brought for prayer.
No one has an agenda and if someone is out of order, (which happens) the Holy Spirit helps us deal with it. Christ is the head (Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the church)
The assembly will last way into the evening and people may come and go.
1st Corinthians 14:26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Last time people stayed 'till about 12:30 am. Of course we had food available for an evening snack.
The church assembly functioned as a family, a fellowship, and the body of Christ.
After gathering like this for over 2 years, a traditional, orchestrated church "service" has lost all appeal. We just LOVE gathering in holy, spiritual fellowship this way.
This is our "communion of the saints".
Maybe we are not doing it right on some technical points. We seek the Lord days before we gather and strongly seek His leading in these meetings. It is wonderful how God is confirming His Word...
When I look close at how they gathered in the homes in scripture, and how Jesus often did so, who can fault this kind of assembling?
One night, as we drove home from the Fresno family's house fellowship where we had shared a meal, prayer, teachings, and ministry, it suddenly dawned on me "THAT WAS CHURCH!!"
(We did not realize it at first because we were so conditioned to think of church in terms of the institution.)
Strip away all of the man-made distractions and get back to the simple basics, and you will love church again. One important caution we would give is do not bring "churchy" ways into the home. You do not need a guy taking control, formality, a programmed "service", and all the bad habbits we learned in "church".
(When we first left the institutional church, we made the mistake of meeting with some others who were fresh out too.
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We found it was easier to get out from church, but hard to get "church" out of us!)
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God bless each of you as you seek a meaningful fellowship and assembly with others.
Audio notes from the link above:
00:00:00 - 00:14:30 David opens the study; prays for Timothy and his
co-worker Daniel; talks about the oil spill
00:14:30 - 00:45:40 David teaches on what a real church looks like
00:45:40 - 01:04:05 Frank talks about growing in knowledge and faith
01:04:05 - 01:23:05 Rory talks about life after "church"
01:23:05 - 01:38:35 Rob talks the power of God
