READ: MARK 2:1-4
We are certain the early
church had several home churches. The question some will like to ask is: Did
they copy it from Jesus? Was there a home church when Jesus was still on earth?
Jesus preached in several homes where multitudes gathered to hear Him.
According to today’s reading, He was preaching in somebody’s house when some
people brought a man who was sick of the palsy. When they could not gain
entrance, they removed the roof and dropped the sick man at Jesus’ feet. If
they had done so in the temple they would have been killed. What this simply
shows is that a house is good for a church. And that if Jesus could preach in a
house, there is no reason a church should not exist in your home.
What types of blessings can be received in home churches? Every blessing that can take place in the regular church can also be received in a home church. In today’s reading, not only was the sick man healed, his sins were also forgiven and God’s name was glorified. In Acts 10:30, 33-34, 48, in the home church of Cornelius there was fasting and prayer and an angelic presence. They heard the Word of God, were saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit and later baptized in the water. A church is a place of rest, prayer, healing, worship, baptism of the Holy Spirit and preparation for water baptism. All these are functions of a living church and they happened in the houses of Cornelius, Aquila, Lydia and Philemon. They should happen also in yours.
The way some leaders run their home churches is nothing to write home about. They see it as a burden and treat it with kid gloves. The carelessness of some leaders has ‘killed’ their home churches. The home church can only be as alive as the leader. If you have a vibrant leader, the home church will also be vibrant and a place with testimonies. If members’ prayer requests are regularly followed up until the answers come, and there is adequate concern and practical care for members, in a short time the house fellowship will be full. As a member of a home church, what have you contributed towards making it a success story? Some home churches are doing so well that they attract members of other home churches. How are you running yours? Do you take time to visit one another? Do you add to the life or death of the home church?
What types of blessings can be received in home churches? Every blessing that can take place in the regular church can also be received in a home church. In today’s reading, not only was the sick man healed, his sins were also forgiven and God’s name was glorified. In Acts 10:30, 33-34, 48, in the home church of Cornelius there was fasting and prayer and an angelic presence. They heard the Word of God, were saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit and later baptized in the water. A church is a place of rest, prayer, healing, worship, baptism of the Holy Spirit and preparation for water baptism. All these are functions of a living church and they happened in the houses of Cornelius, Aquila, Lydia and Philemon. They should happen also in yours.
The way some leaders run their home churches is nothing to write home about. They see it as a burden and treat it with kid gloves. The carelessness of some leaders has ‘killed’ their home churches. The home church can only be as alive as the leader. If you have a vibrant leader, the home church will also be vibrant and a place with testimonies. If members’ prayer requests are regularly followed up until the answers come, and there is adequate concern and practical care for members, in a short time the house fellowship will be full. As a member of a home church, what have you contributed towards making it a success story? Some home churches are doing so well that they attract members of other home churches. How are you running yours? Do you take time to visit one another? Do you add to the life or death of the home church?
MEMORIZE: ACTS
10:44 –While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them
which heard the word.
