The Assembly (2) – House of God

Main idea: Holiness/glory and responsibility

What characterizes the house?

1. It is a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5).
2. It is a holy house (Eph 2:20; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; Ps 93:5).
3. It is the dwelling place of God’s glory (Ps 26:8; 29:9).
4. It is the dwelling place of God (Eph 2:22) -> privilege and blessing.
5. It is the dwelling place of the redeemed, where they have fellowship with God (Eph 2:18,19).
6. It is the place of worship (1 Pet 2:5).
7. Christ Himself is appointed over the house as master of the house (Heb 3:6; 2 Tim 2:20).
8. Christ is the great priest of the house (Heb 10:21).
9. It is made up of redeemed ones, of living stones / holy priesthood (1 Pet 2:4,5).
10. It is a house of prayer (Mk 11:17; 2 Tim 2:1-4) -> dependence.
11. The house continues to grow, in the sense of a child: it is perfect and yet grows (1 Pet 2:4, 5; Eph 2:19-22).
12. The house exists in the place (Eph 2:22), worldwide (Eph 2:21), and according to the counsel of God (Eph 2:21: temple).
13. God or the Lord Jesus builds this house (Mt 16:18; 1 Tim 3:15).
14. Man also works on the house in responsibility before God (1 Cor 3:9-13).
15. It is a place of order (1 Tim 3:15; 1 Cor 14:33, 40).

What does order involve?

1. The Bible does not have a specific name for the assembly; all are called believers (Acts 5:14), disciples (Acts 9:1), Christians (Acts 11:26), or saints (Ephesians 1:1).
2. The teaching does not refer to human thought but to God’s Word (2 Tim 3:16; John 17:17)
3. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in the house/temple of God, directs, guides, and leads everything, even in the meetings. Therefore, no “pastors” are needed/employed (1 Cor 3:16; Jn 14:26; 16:13).
4. There are at least three types of gatherings in the house of God:
5. for the breaking of bread
6. for edification
7. for prayer
8. There are various gifts of grace (1 Cor 12:4; Eph 4:11), including
9. shepherds
10. teachers
11. evangelists
12. There are various ministries, but no “employees” who perform an office, e.g., overseers, or servants (1 Tim 3:1-13).
13. Discipline is practiced (1 Cor 5:13; Matt 18:18).
14. Women remain silent in the meetings (1 Cor 14:34-36).
15. Some aspects of the meetings are specifically regulated (there must be one bread, women must be silent, bread and cup are necessary for the meal, etc.). Most things are not specified.