ACTS HOUSE ASSEMBLY

Christians who meet together in homes usually do so because of a desire to return to basic Church meetings as found in the New Testament. The New Testament shows that the early Christian church exhibited a simplicity of fellowship and interactive practice that is typically not the case in conventional denominations. They believe that Christians walked closely with each other, in close fellowship, sharing their lives in Christ together. This is expressed by 50 examples of the phrase "one another" found in the New Testament. Some Bible passages that indicate the atmosphere of early church life include:

Lifestyle

"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)

Participatory gatherings

"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." (1 Cor. 14:26; see also Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 10:24-25)

 

Jesus and the Apostles taught in the home

1. Jesus said, "And when ye come into an house, salute it."  He sent his disciples into the home.  Matthew 10:12
2. And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper... Mark 14:3
   
3. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. (Said to Zacchaeus)  Luke 19:9
4. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart... Act 2:46
5. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.  Acts 5:42
6. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house...  Acts 11:12
7. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  Acts 16:32

Gatherings in homes

• "The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house."  1 Cor. 16:19
• Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ."  Romans 16:5
• "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house."  Colossians 4:15
• "And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house..."  Philemon 1:2
• "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house..."  Acts 20:20

Networking through "Extra-local, itinerant ministries"

"After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." (Acts 15:36)

Occasional large group gatherings

"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house" (Acts 20:20)