From Phil Norcom--wall---The First Century House Church October 31, 2011 at 8:35pm Dr. Robert Heidler describes the apostolic church of the first century in these stunning words— ―The church we are going to visit today is a house church. The early church operated on two levels: the house church and the congregation. Even if the church grew to 30,000 members, its primary unit would still be the house church. The house churches would also congregate in a larger group (the congregation). This often took place outdoors or in a rented auditorium. In Jerusalem, they met in the temple courts. We arrive at the door of a typical house and are warmly welcomed by a host. As we walk through the door, you look across the entrance into the large open courtyard of the home. There appears to be some kind of party going on. Some of the people are playing flutes, lyres, and tambourines, while others are singing, dancing, and clapping their hands. The words of the songs are words of praise to Jesus! These people are overflowing with joy because they have come to know the living God. As the songs slow down a little, many people get down on their knees before the Lord. Most are lifting up hands to Him. A tremendous sense of the Lord‘s presence fills the courtyard. We are overwhelmed by the love and acceptance of the people. After much singing and dancing, food is brought out. People find their seats and prepare for the meal. This is described by Paul as well as by Jude and Peter. This shared weekly meal is called the ―love feast,‖ or Agape. One of the leaders stands with a cup, blesses the Lord, and passes it around so each one can drink from it. He then picks up a loaf of bread and offers thanks. It also is passed from person to person. This is the Lord‘s Supper in its original context. The meal is a joyful time centered on devotion to the Lord. As they eat, the believers talk about the things of God, share testimonies, recite and discuss Scripture, and sing praises to the Lord. After the meal ends, worship continues until at some point, a change begins to take place. There is a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The air seems to thicken. A tangible sense of the Presence of God comes and rests in the place. This is what Jesus promised, ―Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them‖ (Matthew 18:20). As those assembled sense the Presence of God, some fall to the ground in worship. Others stop and are silent, welcoming the Lord‘s Presence. As the Presence of God rests in their midst, ministry begins to take place. A woman on the far side of the courtyard stands and gives a word of knowledge for healing. A man raises his hand and people cluster around to pray for him. He is instantly healed. Someone else stands up and reads a passage of Scripture. Another man, a teacher, gives an explanation of the passage. A woman stands and gives a beautiful prophetic song. Many are so touched by its beauty and anointing they begin to weep. Prophetic words are given. There are tongues and interpretation. Through it all, they continue to move in and out of worship. At one point a man introduces a family who have been sitting quietly near the back of the crowd. They are his neighbors. You can tell by the look on their faces that this is their first time here, and they are not sure they are in the right place. The man says they have come tonight because their 12-year-old daughter has contracted an illness that has left her totally blind. They have come for the church to pray for her. Those with the gift of healing come and stand with the elders as they anoint the little girl with oil and pray. Suddenly the girl begins to cry. With tears running down her cheeks, she cries out, ―I can see! I can see!‖ The mother crouches down and hugs her daughter, and within four or five minutes the entire family is saved, giving their hearts to Jesus. A prophetic word is given revealing the secrets of someone‘s heart. That person comes forward and says, ―I don‘t know Jesus but I know God is here. I want to know Him.‖ Ministry continues. This is where much of the evangelism in the church took place… through the miraculous power of God working in the midst of His people. This is just as Paul described the church in 1 Corinthians 14:24-31: ―…if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in [to a gathering of saints] while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner … and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ”God is really among you!” What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church … you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged!‖ This is what an authentic Life Group will look like! Finally the meeting begins to break up. The sense of the Spirit‘s presence begins to lift, but there are still several small groups gathered in prayer. As people prepare to leave, there is a great deal of hugging. It seems like a family reunion, and it is! It is the weekly reunion of the family of God. You can be part of a church like that! That‘s what the early church was. It was a temple where the glory of God dwelt. And that‘s the kind of church that took the known world in one generation.‖ —Adapted from The Messianic Church
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 04:19:29 +0000
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