Wednesday, September 23, 2009 – Santa
Barbara
TRENDS
Tonight we examine another movement that is having an influence,
even here in southern California – the House Church Movement.
NOTE: As we examine this movement it will become clear quickly
that we cannot address every aspect and doctrinal concern with this
false religion, but we will address what time permits and mention others
with the hope that you will further study these things on your own at a
later time.
a.
IMPORTANT
to understand, it is NOT the fact that a church meets in someone’s home.
That is the way hundreds of congregations of the Lord’s church
began.
It is also scriptural – Rom. 16:5, 1 Cor. 16:19, Philemon 2, Acts 2:46,
etc.
b.
It is a
movement that is seeking to reform the “traditional structure” of the
church.
It is a movement that all but CONDEMNS
authority for the church building.
It is movement found in many of the progressive denominations, but its
principles are being considered among some of our brethren as well.
In fact, some of the leaders of this movement are affiliated with
the Lord’s church, such as F Lagard Smith.
He professes to be a member of the Lord’s church.
He attended Florida College years ago, has served on the faculty
at Pepperdine (as a professor of law) and is currently, “Scholar in
Residence for Christian Studies” at David Lipscomb University.
He wrote a book entitled, “Radical Restoration” a book
whose description says, “This book challenges traditional thinking, calling brethren to throw off
the denominational thinking which obscures our historic commitment to
biblical restoration, and to consider how wonderfully revitalizing true
restoration might be, as he proposes: vibrant small group fellowships,
weekly love feasts, informal and spontaneous mutual ministry in the
word, and radically-motivated, counter-culture disciples of Christ.”
This is a book advocating the House Church Movement.
Basically, it is a movement that has been developing since the late 60s
and early 70s that believes the restoration of the New Testament church
DEMANDS that we meet in
small groups in homes and engage in informal worship with no real
organizational structure (such as the Local church).
II.
What happens in a
“house church”?
a.
They meet in a home in an informal and casual setting. There are a handful of
people (10-20) who comprise this church.
In this setting they feel comfortable inviting their friends and
neighbors because of the informal atmosphere and upbeat nature of their
worship.
HOWEVER it is not uncommon for a group of these house churches in
a given city or area to come together occasionally in a larger assembly.
They call these assemblies a “celebration” and often describe
themselves as “a home-church based congregation.”
(Houses that Change the World, , pg. 37-38; Wolfgang
Simpson & The Church Comes Home, Robert and Julia Banks,, pg.
28-29).
b.
Worship is spontaneous –
when they get together in someone’s home, their “worship” is not a
formal service, but rather an informal and spontaneous service.
They will sing whatever songs they want (usually camp style
songs), and whoever wants to speak up about whatever can do so and
become teacher for however long.
At some point while together, they will have a meal.
Basically, their “worship service” is like a get together at a
park (only it is in a home).
A study of worship since the beginning of mankind shows that God expects
worship with a pattern (see lesson 4 in this series).
Our time of worship is serious and calls for structure.
When the priests offered sacrifice was it FUN or SPONTANEOUS?
1 Corinthians 14 bears
this out as brethren are rebuked for being unstructured.
Note how in vs. 27 ONLY 2 or 3 were to speak.
ALSO, vs. 34 speaks of women keeping silent in the churches!
There WAS order, NOT spontaneity.
Also, vs. 33, “God is NOT the author of confusion” and vs. 40 all
things are to be done “decently and in order.”
The same is true in
1 Cor. 11 20-22 concerning the Lord’s Supper – what they were
doing was NOT structured.
c.
The
Lord’s Supper – offered as
part of a “fellowship meal” which is a covered dish dinner.
Note this excerpt from the book, Ekklesia, To the Roots of
Biblical Church Life, “This
book challenges traditional thinking, calling brethren to throw off the
denominational thinking which obscures our historic commitment to
biblical restoration, and to consider how wonderfully revitalizing true
restoration might be, as he proposes: vibrant small group fellowships,
weekly love feasts, informal and spontaneous mutual ministry in the
word, and radially-motivated, counter-culture disciples of Christ.”
( Steven Atkinson, p. 23).
Consider this in light of what the scriptures teach!
1 Corinthians 11:20-22,
“Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat
the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of
others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have
houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and
shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise
you in this? I do not praise you.”
THEN in vs. 34, “But if
anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for
judgment…”
It is argued that when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, it was
part of the Passover which was a full meal.
That is true, BUT consider that the foods were STRICTLY regulated
by God with a purpose.
Also we are told in
Luke 22:20 AND
1 Cor.
11:25 which says Jesus took the cup “AFTER SUPPER”.
It was not part of the meal!
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to be observed with reverence (1
Cor. 11:27-29).
d.
No
real preaching – within
these gatherings there are informal studies, perhaps prepared and
directed by someone, BUT it is made clear that ANYONE can speak up and
teach.
In fact, one of the greater emphases is the elimination of leadership
(elders as leaders or “dictators” and located preachers.
Since anyone can say whatever they want, there is no need for a
preacher to direct them.
HOWEVER, in scripture we read of
“located preachers”.
1 Tim. 1:3, Timothy was to
remain in Ephesus; Philip stayed in Philippi for a considerable time
(cf. Acts 8:40, 21:8); Paul stayed in Ephesus for 2 years (Ac. 19:10)
and Corinth for 18 months (Ac 18:11), etc.
The conclusion – it is
scriptural for a located preacher.
How long do they remain?
No specific time – the conclusion would be that they remain as
long as they are effective and have work to do there.
We also find elders are
REAL and are to shepherd the flock,
Acts 20:28, 1 Pet. 5:2-3, Titus
1:9-11 speaks of their responsibility to deal with error and
false teachers.
Heb. 13:7, 17 commands us
to obey them
As to preaching, someone needs to “preach the word” in season and out of
season (2 Tim. 2:2-4).
Brethren, this does NOT happen in the house church.
For one reason, many of them outright dismiss doctrinal
differences (such as subject of morality, binding the pattern of how we
worship God, etc.).
III.
How they justify
what they do.
a.
Churches met in houses in 1st century.
We have already acknowledged that and noted that it is NOT the
issue. BUT, they contend
that such is the exclusive apostolic pattern.
That is WRONG! Acts 2:46, 5:12 – they met in the temple, Acts 19:9 – at
a school, The PLACE of worship is NOT the emphasis in scripture, it is
the fact that they did worship.
Note
1 cor. 11:22, “What! Do
you not have houses to eat and drink in?”
Obviously they were gathering somewhere!
There is NOTHING to indicate it was a house!
b.
They
believe the “traditional church model”
has become ineffective and been corrupted.
They look at brethren who do not treat each other properly,
lukewarm worship services, brethren who are cold and indifferent toward
visitors, and corruption in leadership (they emphasize what is wrong)
and say that is not what the church was intended to be.
ANSWER: While such things are definitely concerns and SHOULD be dealt
with, they are NOT reason to throw out the pattern.
The problems simply need to be dealt with!
Laodicea (Lukewarm), Sardis (dead church), Ephesus (having left its
first love) were all rebuked, but they were NOT told to quit assembling
and go into homes for a “more intimate setting”.
In all three examples you find ONE word in common – REPENT! (Rev.
2:5, 3:3, 3:19). The
church at Ephesus describes it most concisely, “Remember
therefore from where you have fallen;
REPENT and do the first works…”
The answer, go back to where you NEED to be.
If brethren are unfriendly or not treating each other properly –
REPENT and do what you ought to.
You DON’T throw out the pattern because
of abuses. Earlier this week we
noted that it IS God’s pattern.
Interestingly, if you study you will find answers for these
abuses as well!
c.
They
teach that everything we do is worship.
Whether you are mowing a lawn, or going to a ball game, or taking
someone to the doctor or walking in the woods, etc., they profess you
are worshipping God.
Their rationale is based upon the word service.
Because the word “service” is sometimes used in conjunction with
worship, they contend that everything we do is worship.
For example:
Romans 12:1 which says, “I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service.”
Different versions have changed this wording to describe this as
worship.
NASU says, “acceptable to God, (which is) your spiritual service of
worship.”
NIV says, “holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of
worship.”
With this they say there is no distinction.
BUT consider a few verses of scripture concerning this
Matthew 4:10, “Then Jesus said to
him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall
worship the Lord your God,
and Him only you shall serve.’”
Note words “worship” and “serve” are different!, Serve is
the same word found in Romans 12:1
Romans 1:25, “…who exchanged the
truth of God for the life, and
worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is
blessed forever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:10, “We have an altar
from which those who serve
the tabernacle have no right to eat.”
Did they
worship the tabernacle?
FURTHERMORE, worship is something we INTEND to DO, John 4:23-24, Acts
20:7, 1 Cor. 14:26. In all
we do we SERVE God, but it is not necessarily worship.
We MUST make this distinction.
a.
It is
divisive -1 Corinthians 1:10,
“Let there be no divisions among you.”
Paul wrote this letter to address how bitterly divided they were
as a church.
How does a house church begin?
There are documented examples of proponents of this movement
entering churches and tearing up the body.
This is what they do:
i.
2
or 3 families that appear to be “spiritually minded” gravitate together.
ii.
They begin to question the preaching and elders.
What do you think of the job they are doing?
Look for criticisms.
iii.
Begin attacking the worship service
– “giving is not an act of worship”, “Our assemblies are not spiritual
enough”, “We need to become more casual and thus appealing to
outsiders”, “There is no real feeling as we partake of the Lord’s
Supper”, etc.
iv.
In
time they attack the elders and preacher and seek to have them
dismissed.
v.
They begin disseminating their literature.
“I have this great book you need to
read”, etc. Will give
copies of Radical Restoration, etc.
vi.
In
time, they draw away members and start their new CELL of their house-church
movement.
They often will use prejudicial terms such as, “stale worship”,
as why we just “pinch and sip”, speak of the church being “too
traditional” or “ritualistic”, speaking of CENI as our method of
establishing authority.
What does Proverbs 6:16-19 says about those the Lord hates? “One who
sows discord among brethren.”
b.
It is
unscriptural – It rejects
God’s pattern and ORGANIZATION.
Many of the issues we have mentioned show this – from rejecting
scriptural leadership within a church (Elders, deacons and saints),
allows women to take leadership roles UNAUTHORIZED by God in His word,
etc.
c.
It is a
perversion of New Testament worship
– in our studies we have shown that the first element to consider in
worship is that it is directed toward God and not man.
d.
It is
MAN-CENTERED! This movement is
not about following God’s pattern, but rather about worship that make
you feel good. Sorry,
that is NOT what true worship is about.
John 4:24 – NEVER forget that our worship is directed toward God
– PERIOD!
There are so many
other things that could said about this movement.
We conclude by simply noting it is another attack on the Lord’s
church because of weak preaching and the selfish desires of man to do
what he wants to do instead of what God wants.
We can NEVER do that and expect Him to be pleased with us.
Think about it!