1 Corinthians 14:26 "What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up... 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged... 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Romans 15:14 "I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another."
Such participation, described above as happening in the main gathering of the church, is prohibited in most churches today.
It would be difficult to allow time for such participation in a church with more than, say, 25 adults. A church that permits participation could meet in a church building. However, the expense of securing a sanctuary would not be necessary if larger living rooms or basements can be used. Francis Chan talks about house church in this 11-minute video.
In the Arab world, persecution is an added incentive to gathering in private homes. Would you pray that some mature Arab believers from a Christian background would consider planting private house churches so that they can experience and model churches that believers from a Muslim background can attend and also reproduce?
No comments:
Post a Comment