CHURCH
ALOHA FAMILY & FRIENDS
CHURCH, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 4/5/20
In one week comes the day on which we, as Christians, usually celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus, Man made God, day. And the day to remind us that in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven and our sinful past is forgotten. But then there is this little bitty bug that is keeping us from getting together due to a death threat especially for the old guys like me.
But then the Holy Spirit asked me to write this note to you and remind you that church was not about big gatherings. The word Church really mean: Latin ecclesia, from Greek ekklesia, where the word is a compound of two segments: “ek”, a preposition meaning “out of”, and a verb, “kaleo”, signifying “to call” – together, literally, “to call out”. Although that usage soon passed away and was replaced with “assembly, congregation, council”, or “convocation”.
So originally, in the Greek, the word Church meant to be called out of. In the Early Church it meant to be called out of the world or the Worlds system of Adam as fallen and cursed of God. Called out of the world of the dead and fallen ones. Church was to be a place to learn how to live in the Kingdom of God in righteousness and numbers were totally unimportant. In fact, Christ Jesus teaches us in Matt.18:20 that HIS Church can easily consist of 2 or 3….”Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
So actually, if you can find one other person to join with you, you can go to church. And really the word Church relates to a relationship with Jesus and not with a building or a denomination. The Word Church really has to do with there being but one universal church with many small gatherings as noted being in a place as in Rom.16:1, 1 Cor.1:2, 1 Cor.16:19. And the early Church was located in a home or house. If it outgrew the house then another house church would be created. Offerings were then used for evangelism and to help the poor. So the Churches of The Church were noted usually as the Church being at a place or in someone’s home. It was never used to note a building.
OK so the place nor do the numbers mean anything. So what form of did the gathering take and when? Usually the Early Church gathered on Saturday evenings at sunset. It was the only real time of freedom that the Jewish folks had at that time. And there was total freedom in going from house to house for the ‘Lords” supper, Acts 2:46
SO WHEN THEY CAME TOGETHER, WHAT DID THEY DO?
It is very interesting to me that Acts clealy sets out the order of service for the Early Church. Acts 2:41-44 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
This is an overlay for the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.
1. Testimony of Jesus in Salvation, THE DOOR.
2. The Word of God, The place of sacrificek, THE ALTER,
3. The fellowship love feast, Agape Meal, THE LAVER.
4. Breaking of Bread, Lord’s Supper, THE SHOW BREAD
5. Time of Prayer and Healing, THE INCENSE BURNER.
6 Body Life Ministry, 7 Spirits of God, THE MENORAH
7 Power of God for Healing, ‘The Ark of God in the HOLY PLACE
For a better understanding of the Early Church gathering for a “House Church” please take time to consider the link in a chapter of my book, “Key To The Kingdom.” https://trinity-aloha.org/keys-to-the-kingdom/house-church/
I am not sure that the Early Church covered all 7 steps each week but it certainly seems that they mostly followed this pattern in their gathering. And it was very effective in gaining new converts. Demos of the FGBMFI followed this pattern and it was very effective in that ministry in the revival of the 1960-70. Also you will perhaps find other chapters of interest in my book as well. It is all available on the Internet.
So take some time today and reconsider “CHURCH” as in the original concept. You might even gather your family together for exploring the concept of “House Church” or Church in the HOME. Perhaps the virus will even help us to recover a closer walk with our Lord, Christ Jesus.
Paul writes about The Early Church liturgy in 1 Cor.14:23-32 and teaches this:
Therefore, if the whole church assembles and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and the ungifted and uninitiated or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are demented? 24 But if all prophesy [giving inspired testimony and interpreting the divine will and purpose] and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in, he is told of his sin and reproved and convicted and convinced by all, and his defects and needs are examined (estimated, determined) and he is called to account by all, 25 The secrets of his heart are laid bare; and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, declaring that God is among you in very truth. 26 What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all. 27 If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret and explain [what is said]. 28 But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God. 29 So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said. 30 But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent. 31 For in this way you can give testimony [prophesying and thus interpreting the divine will and purpose] one by one, so that all may be instructed and all may be stimulated and encouraged; 32 For the spirits of the prophets (the speakers in tongues) are under the speaker’s control [and subject to being silenced as may be necessary],
CHURCH, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 4/5/20
In one week comes the day on which we, as Christians, usually celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus, Man made God, day. And the day to remind us that in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven and our sinful past is forgotten. But then there is this little bitty bug that is keeping us from getting together due to a death threat especially for the old guys like me.
But then the Holy Spirit asked me to write this note to you and remind you that church was not about big gatherings. The word Church really mean: Latin ecclesia, from Greek ekklesia, where the word is a compound of two segments: “ek”, a preposition meaning “out of”, and a verb, “kaleo”, signifying “to call” – together, literally, “to call out”. Although that usage soon passed away and was replaced with “assembly, congregation, council”, or “convocation”.
So originally, in the Greek, the word Church meant to be called out of. In the Early Church it meant to be called out of the world or the Worlds system of Adam as fallen and cursed of God. Called out of the world of the dead and fallen ones. Church was to be a place to learn how to live in the Kingdom of God in righteousness and numbers were totally unimportant. In fact, Christ Jesus teaches us in Matt.18:20 that HIS Church can easily consist of 2 or 3….”Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
So actually, if you can find one other person to join with you, you can go to church. And really the word Church relates to a relationship with Jesus and not with a building or a denomination. The Word Church really has to do with there being but one universal church with many small gatherings as noted being in a place as in Rom.16:1, 1 Cor.1:2, 1 Cor.16:19. And the early Church was located in a home or house. If it outgrew the house then another house church would be created. Offerings were then used for evangelism and to help the poor. So the Churches of The Church were noted usually as the Church being at a place or in someone’s home. It was never used to note a building.
OK so the place nor do the numbers mean anything. So what form of did the gathering take and when? Usually the Early Church gathered on Saturday evenings at sunset. It was the only real time of freedom that the Jewish folks had at that time. And there was total freedom in going from house to house for the ‘Lords” supper, Acts 2:46
SO WHEN THEY CAME TOGETHER, WHAT DID THEY DO?
It is very interesting to me that Acts clealy sets out the order of service for the Early Church. Acts 2:41-44 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
This is an overlay for the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.
1. Testimony of Jesus in Salvation, THE DOOR.
2. The Word of God, The place of sacrificek, THE ALTER,
3. The fellowship love feast, Agape Meal, THE LAVER.
4. Breaking of Bread, Lord’s Supper, THE SHOW BREAD
5. Time of Prayer and Healing, THE INCENSE BURNER.
6 Body Life Ministry, 7 Spirits of God, THE MENORAH
7 Power of God for Healing, ‘The Ark of God in the HOLY PLACE
For a better understanding of the Early Church gathering for a “House Church” please take time to consider the link in a chapter of my book, “Key To The Kingdom.” https://trinity-aloha.org/keys-to-the-kingdom/house-church/
I am not sure that the Early Church covered all 7 steps each week but it certainly seems that they mostly followed this pattern in their gathering. And it was very effective in gaining new converts. Demos of the FGBMFI followed this pattern and it was very effective in that ministry in the revival of the 1960-70. Also you will perhaps find other chapters of interest in my book as well. It is all available on the Internet.
So take some time today and reconsider “CHURCH” as in the original concept. You might even gather your family together for exploring the concept of “House Church” or Church in the HOME. Perhaps the virus will even help us to recover a closer walk with our Lord, Christ Jesus.
Paul writes about The Early Church liturgy in 1 Cor.14:23-32 and teaches this:
Therefore, if the whole church assembles and all of you speak in [unknown] tongues, and the ungifted and uninitiated or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are demented? 24 But if all prophesy [giving inspired testimony and interpreting the divine will and purpose] and an unbeliever or untaught outsider comes in, he is told of his sin and reproved and convicted and convinced by all, and his defects and needs are examined (estimated, determined) and he is called to account by all, 25 The secrets of his heart are laid bare; and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, declaring that God is among you in very truth. 26 What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all. 27 If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret and explain [what is said]. 28 But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God. 29 So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said. 30 But if an inspired revelation comes to another who is sitting by, then let the first one be silent. 31 For in this way you can give testimony [prophesying and thus interpreting the divine will and purpose] one by one, so that all may be instructed and all may be stimulated and encouraged; 32 For the spirits of the prophets (the speakers in tongues) are under the speaker’s control [and subject to being silenced as may be necessary],
Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org
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