Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney ... We know from the Bible there were meetings of the Jews conducted at the Jewish synagogues. But there were no church buildings where Christians met. The Christians met in homes, often in secret, because of the persecution of the early church by the Jews. Paul tells us what to do when we gather as the church. I Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. I've never seen a church do these things as Paul showed us in 1 Corinthians 14. Usually in today's church everything is planned before the main meeting. But apparently in the early church, they gathered at a home, and it was the Holy Spirit who brought forth the message through those in the congregation. So the meeting message would be structured by the Holy Spirit of God. Several years ago, I went to the home of my cousin before my aunt's funeral. My cousin was conducting the funeral. He and his father were sitting at the dining room table with many books on either side of them as they planned what would be said. I attended the service and found myself groaning at that which was spoken, which was planned by man. 💥💥💥 In a dream, I went to a church service. A large group of people were meeting in a very large two storied building. There were no seats available on the lower floor so I went into the balcony. One seat remained but it was behind a very large post. I sat down in that place. A man leaned over and said to me, "You can't see much from that seat." I replied, "There's never much to see at these places anyway." When man plans the meeting and everyone else is shut out, I believe much of the Holy Spirit is stopped from speaking at the gathering. As I have attended such meetings I've often thought, "If Jesus Himself was sitting here, HE would not be allowed to speak." 💥💥💥 Once I attended a Bible class where the teacher always said, "Does anyone have a word from the Lord." He opened up the class for God to speak through HIS Spirit. I believe this is more what Paul was telling us to do. 💥💥💥 Here are some statements showing us the church after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. I Peter 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. Romans 16:1-5 (Paul says) I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. I Corinthians 12:27-28 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church (to care for the church), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Acts 11:22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. I Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 John verse 9-10 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Acts 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. I Timothy 3:14-15 (Paul writes) These things write I unto thee, hoping to come ...
