I waited eagerly that morning to see if anyone would show up braving the rain. They did. First one car and then others. A family of little children arrived. Those kids were so excited to get inside, or get out of the rain, they ran right across the grass. When they stepped in the house you could see their muddy footprints in the carpet. We were glad to open our home but I was not so glad about the footprints at the time.
We sang songs of worship. I taught the scriptures, at times, to a few and on good days to as many as three dozen adults and students huddled in a home for worship and Bible study. Those days bring back some fond memories.
Several times over the years I have gathered in someone's home to teach a Bible study. Sometimes to students. Other times to adults. Those have been special occasions. At times the rooms were jam packed. People sat on sofas, chairs, and some even on the floor for one purpose. To hear the word of the Lord. Those moments were pure, precious and priceless.
That is how it all began. Back to the beginning as they say. Back to Acts 2:42-47 (NASB)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Pure and simple. Believers gathered in a home to devotedly study the scriptures, to pray, and fellowship. I can only imagine those early days. There were no elaborate sanctuaries. No choirs, orchestras, or praise bands. Just new believers gathered with the apostles to hear God's word.
When you read about that early church there is no denying they had little. No buildings. No budget. No staff. No programs. They had Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the teachings about Jesus and love for God and one another. God used those house churches powerfully. They met everyday. They shared the good news of Jesus daily and daily God honored their efforts through people getting saved. Our modern day churches are not nearly as effective.
Romans 16:3-5 (NASB)
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
No steeple. No sign. N building. No nursery. Just hungry believers starving for God's truth and the fellowship of other believers. How did something that started so pure get so complicated?
I am thankful for the reminder this week reading Romans 16:5 and Acts 2:42-47 of how the church of God began. Humbly. Simply. Purely. Powerfully. I am also thankful for some muddy little footprints in the sand. I got to baptize those children.
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