The Book of Acts records the birth of the Church and the first ministry works of the Apostles and Christians. It began on the Day of Pentecost, a Jewish feast celebrating the early wheat harvest. It is also known elsewhere in the Bible as “The Feast of Weeks.” It took place fifty days after the Passover (pente meaning fifty – hence Pentecost). In the first chapter of the Book of Acts, Jesus instructed His disciples to return to Jerusalem, to the upper room where they had celebrated the Passover the night before He was arrested. There they were to wait for the promised Holy Spirit, which He had told them would come in His place, to fill them and empower them for service in His kingdom. Jesus told them to do this forty days after He had been crucified and resurrected, and ten days later, on the feast day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they did indeed boldly fill the streets, telling the people in their own languages, which had been unlearned but miraculously spoken by those disciples, of the good news of what Christ had done for them.
The Bible tells us in Acts 2:41-47, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” This was the service, practices and life of the first members of God’s one true Church. Now also remember, that the temple does not compare to what we in modern times refer to when we say “church.”
Let’s also realize that the word “church” literally means “God’s separated ones.” It was the gathering together of God’s people. The Church was not in a designated building, but in the hearts of His “called out ones.” Remember that in those early days, Christ was hated. That’s why they crucified Him (or so they thought). Those becoming the Church met in open air gatherings, the homes of individuals and in secret to escape imprisonment and persecution. It wasn’t easy being a Christian in those days. It is believed that the first building dedicated to Christian worship was a converted home in Syria sometime during the 230’s AD. That was when tolerance for the Christian faith had become softer. Sometime after that, unfortunately, the name “Church” began to mean a building rather than “Those called out ones of God.” Now I realize that there are two separate Greek words for these two terms, but the reality is that people today don’t distinguish it this way. When they say “the church” they mean a building rather than God’s people, in most cases. But God’s true Church still is, and forever will be, His called-out people, those who have come to Him in salvation from sin, death and eternal destruction in Hell.
There is a controversy in today’s “Church world” concerning the coming together of God’s people. It comes mainly from Hebrews 10:23-25 which says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Many of today’s Christian leaders have insisted that this means you have to come together in a formal gathering in a building designated for Christian gatherings, wrongly called “The Church.” Let me first say, there’s nothing wrong in large groups of God’s people coming together in a formal setting in a building that is designed to accommodate large groups. But that is not the Church. Assembling together literally means Christians coming together to worship, learn and testify about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.
Again, there is nothing wrong in coming together in a building. But when we begin to mandate that this is the only way God’s people can come together and any other form of coming together is wrong and even a sin, then that practice has crossed over into legalism and frankly, that is sin.
In today’s world, with our advanced forms of contact, coming together can take place in the privacy of our homes, on a street corner, meeting and talking about God in the supermarket, or even via social media and the internet. The Biblical coming together is not defined by where we are but if we have come together to give God glory, to worship Him, and learn of Him.
There are advantages and disadvantages of both. In the large group setting there can be more opportunities for youth and new Christians to learn about God. There can be activities that promote growth in Christ. But then, in smaller groups and less formal settings there can be more opportunity to ask questions, learn more informally and thus grow in Christ. Neither way is wrong, and neither way is completely right. I suppose what I am saying is that you gather in the way you feel most comfortable, and in the way that is bringing the most growth in your Christian experience. But let’s not condemn each other for not doing it the way we want to do it.
Always be sure to remember that it isn’t about a name over the door, the teaching of a denomination or the mandates of a pastor (or so-called pastor if he is teaching erroneous doctrine). It is completely about being a member of God’s ONE TRUE CHURCH – the one made up of believers in Jesus Christ; those called according to His purpose.
— Jerry D. Ousley is the author of “Soul Challenge”, “Soul Journey”, “Ordeal”, “The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional” and his first novel “The Shoe Tree.” Newer books include “Finality” and “Dividing God’s Church.” Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.