Question: Assembly Meetings only in one Place or in Homes?

Question:

Occasionally, the question is asked: Do you have to come together "in one place" to be at the Lord's Table, or can you also come together in houses in several places? Can you also break bread in houses, or would that not be the Lord's Table or the Lord's SupperOn the night when the Lord Jesus was going to be delivered into the hands of His enemies, He instituted the Lord’s Supper so that the believers may always think... More?

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Answer:

From the beginning of the Christian era, we find that believers came together in homes. We read about this in the Acts of the Apostles as well as in the Epistles. And there were always times when Christians came together in houses, as we can see from the various church histories.

Jerusalem (in the First Days of the Christian Era)

In the New Testament, God's Word, therefore, recognizes the coming together in the home, in houses. We read in the Bible that the first Christians in Jerusalem obviously met in many houses because there were so many believers (Acts 2:46). What was "done" there? We read about three different activities:

1. they broke bread – breaking of bread.
2. food was taken together with rejoicing – a love feast.
3. they praised God – they wanted to give Him special honor.

So, it was not only a love feast that was eaten in the homes. This is not even mentioned in the first place, which we can well understand. For obedience to the Lord's command to "do this in remembrance of Me" comes first. Practical fellowship with one another comes next.

At this time, bread was therefore broken daily "as an assembly," although the significance of this act had probably not yet been taught. The fact that the believers came together at the "Lord's Table" was not known to them at the time, although that's what it was. Only the apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More Paul tells us this truth in 1 Corinthians 10.

In fact, in the early days, the believers were probably only together temporarily in so many houses. The 3,000 people who were led to faith by Peter's first sermon were largely from outside the city (Acts 2:8-12). Because of the feast of Pentecost, for which all male Israelites had to come to Jerusalem (Deut. 16:16), they were in Jerusalem for a short time and then had to return home after a few days. So these "meetings in the houses" were undoubtedly only temporary. Later, there were certainly far fewer Christians in the city, so there were also far fewer meetings in houses.

Nevertheless, we must, of course, be careful about drawing doctrinal conclusions from this transitional period. It has been rightly pointed out time and again that, for example, the gift of languages and the fact that people shared their possessions with one another were signs of the early days and can in no way be transferred one-to-one to our present day. On the contrary, it is therefore important to find corresponding confirmations in the teaching letters of the New Testament. And these do exist.

Meetings in Houses: Jerusalem, Rome, Colosse, Laodicea

In the further course of the book of Acts, this point is confirmed with regard to meetings in houses. In Acts 12, we read that "the assembly" continued to pray for Peter (Acts 12:5). And where did this meeting take place? In the "house of Mary the mother of John, who is also called Mark, where many were gathered and praying" (Acts 12:12). Obviously, not all the believers from Jerusalem were together there, as not everyone could fit into one house. And yet it was a prayer "from the assembly." This shows us God's view that it is "the assembly," even if not everyone is together.

The believers in Rome also came together in several houses (cf. Rom. 16:5, 14, 15). Not only Priscilla and Aquila and the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More were greeted in their house, but also many other brothers and sisters who, according to verse 14.15, obviously came together in other houses. The same applies to Colosse, where they also met in Philemon's house (Phile. 2) or to Laodicea (Col. 4:15).

So if we do not all come together in one place but in several places (for example, in houses) but do so in connection with one another and not independently of one another, we can realize the unity of the Spirit and represent the truth in this way, like the believers in Jerusalem. So, there is one body (Eph. 4:1-6). They are, therefore, gatherings as an assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More (church). However, the principle of unity is very important. Here, too, one can rightly point out that the first Christians did not know this doctrinally. But they realized this truth. And today, we must make sure that this principle is put into practice. The independence of individual gatherings leads to God's principles being abandoned and impurity and unrighteousness finding their way into the assembly(ies).

Unaffected by this question remains the principle that we find in the New Testament that there was the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in Corinth, the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in Colosse, etc. – this testifies to the unity of the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More (in the place). This is how God always speaks in His word.

In other words, the symbol of the one loaf remains as such, even if de facto several loaves are used: "The bread that we break...we, the many..." (1 Cor. 10:16-17). Paul was in Ephesus, the recipients of the letter were in Corinth, and yet they were all united in the symbol of the one loaf, in the one body. If this was true across several places, then surely it was even more so in one location – especially when it was necessary for practical reasons.

One Family?

One more word on the question of who meets in the houses, as this is occasionally reconsidered: It is, of course, those who belong to the AssemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More of God – let's say in – Rome and live in the vicinity of this house, possibly also those who have an interest in the Christian gathering.

It is striking that in the cases where we read about an assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in houses, we must assume that it was not just a single family or a single couple but that several were together. Acts 2:46 speaks of the believers as a whole, certainly not of a single-family meeting in a house. The major theme here is the wonderful fellowship of the first believers with one another.

In Romans 16:2.4, it is not just Priscilla and Aquila but also the assembly in their house, i.e., other believers with them, similarly, in verses 15.16. Also, in 1 Corinthians 16:19, it is not Aquila and Priscilla alone but "together" with the assembly in their house. The same applies to Nymphas "and" the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More that is in his house (Col. 4:15). The same is clear in Philemon 2.

We must, therefore, not conclude that because "house" is sometimes used as a synonym for a family in the New Testament (Acts 16:31), this is exactly what is meant in cases where the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in a house is mentioned. The fact that several believers are associated with the mention of the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in a house leads to the conclusion that the community, in the sense of 1 Corinthians 10, is meant, which is not a family matter.[1]

Binding and Loosing

Where you come together in the name of the Lord, whether in a small house or larger numbers, you must be able to bind and loose. Otherwise, it would not be a gathering in the name of the Lord (Mt. 18:18-20). Unanimity in the midst of the local assembly (let's say Corinth) is necessary for this, but this does not necessarily mean "unanimity" (because an objection must always be based on Scripture).

Let's take the sad case that fornication occurs in one place according to 1 Corinthians 5, and a single (possibly responsible) brother opposes the exclusion. We are not unanimous, but that does not mean that we cannot (or should not) exclude.

Don't we Have to Come Together in "One Place"?

It could be argued that you have to come together in one (common) place (all in one place) in a city in order to be gathered at the "Lord's Table." But this does not correspond to the teaching of the Word of God.

An apparent counter-argument could be that the apostle speaks of this in connection with Corinth, where we are presented with the order of the assembly: "If therefore the whole assembly comes together in one place ..."

Corinth: Epi to auto – In One Place

Didn't they all come together in one place in Corinth? The apostle does not speak about this question, so we ultimately have to leave it open. But the apostle does say of "in one place" in chapters 14:23 and 11:20, one might object. But what is meant by this?

Here, the apostle uses an expression (epi to auto) that frequently occurs in the New Testament. Take the occurrence of this expression in Acts 2:44: "But all who believed were together [epi to auto]." Of course, these 3,000 brothers and sisters were not in a single place but were "together" through an inner bond. One Bible commentator writes: "Here in our verse, it [the expression epi to auto] certainly does not refer to a gathering as an assembly, but rather to an informal, ongoing get-together of the believers, which also included everyday things such as normal meals. The awareness of the grace they had received drew them together in love, and so the group of the redeemed remained together, surrounded by a 'perverse generation.'" (Christian Briem on Acts 2, p. 316).

We also find "epi to auto" in 1 Corinthians 11:20 and in Acts 4:26, among other places: "The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and His ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More." The believers in Jerusalem quoted Psalm 2 in their prayer and applied it to the condemnation of the Lord. Were Herod, Pilate, Annas, and Caiaphas all in the same place? No, they condemned the Lord in different meetings and completely different places. But they were brothers in spirit, "gathered together" in the alignment of their thoughts and convictions.

Bible expositor William Kelly writes in his commentary on Philemon 2: "The word "coming together" (ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ) refers to unity of purpose. One may be together in only one place or several places; one remains faithful to this principle, as has been clearly demonstrated elsewhere. As long as one acts in faith in the presence of the Lord in the midst, the local coming together is the expression of: "This is one body and one Spirit" (Eph. 4:4). To translate "in one place" limits the coming together in an inappropriate way and may be quite wrong in a specific case. "Together" is the true thought, which leaves it open, depending on the circumstances, whether one comes together in one or several places, as long as the unity of the Spirit is maintained in the bond of peace and the Lord and the word of His graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More are honored.

 

In Several Houses – but on the Principle of Unity

It is the same when bread is broken in several houses (or meeting rooms) "in one place," namely a spiritual place, in practical fellowship at the Lord's Table (1 Cor. 11) or when one comes together for the edification of believers (chap. 14). One can be gathered in different houses in the name of the Lord.

The biblical conclusion is thus: One can be gathered at the Lord's Table (i.e., on this principle, which is inseparable from the unity of the body) and yet break bread in different houses.

It is interesting in this context that the apostle Paul speaks of an assembly in a house in the very letter in which he presents the order in the house of God, the assembly. "The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in their house" (1 Cor. 16:19). This means that the local assemblies in Asia are placed alongside the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More in the house of Aquila and Priscilla.

This couple was in Ephesus at this time, a large city with many believers, where they met in their house, among other places. We know that they moved several times and that there was always a meeting in their house. So we have clear evidence, especially in the teaching letter on the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More of God, which some want to accept as the only basis for order in our time, that it can also be according to God's thoughts today if the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More meets in houses in one place. Of course, as I said, precisely when this is done in unity and with one accord in the place according to God's Word.

 

Caution Required

Of course, this does not mean that you should then choose the "house" that best suits your ideas based on sympathy or other unbiblical arguments. This would lead to the formation of groups and would not serve the biblical principle of unity.

Therefore, when considering the idea of meeting in houses, there is undoubtedly one thing to bear in mind. There is a great danger that an "independent" house will develop out of an emergency situation that causes people to meet in houses. If corresponding tendencies are, therefore, already present beforehand, whether this path is the right one must be considered in the light of God's word and wisdom. Not every path that is possible is also the path that the Lord leads us at every time and in every place.

There is, therefore, a certain spiritual prerequisite, which I would not like to call "formal conditions" but which should definitely be considered. Is there sufficient trust in the individual "houses" that they act in accordance with the Scriptures and the Lord Jesus Christ? Do they have the insight and sense of responsibility to really act in agreement with the local brothers and sisters (also with regard to binding and loosing), or is there a tendency to act independently and make decisions on their own authority? Is there any inner, serious "exercise" before the Lord in these matters?

All of this should be considered soberly and prudently, certainly not hastily. The Lord knows better than we do when we are initially overwhelmed by sudden changes. We should not disregard this and not think ourselves wiser than we are.

 

Privilege

In all of this, let us hold fast: It is a wonderful privilege that the Lord gives us to come together in His name until He comes! He is in the midst! He must be the center of our hearts, of our thoughts, of those gathered. We just want to be obedient to Him.

 

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Footnotes

[1]. Some are familiar with William J. Hocking's answer to the question. He wrote in his monthly magazine that Scripture has no objection to only a married couple gathering in one place if the circumstances are exceptional and unavoidable. This thought by W. J. Hocking is understandable since God's Word speaks of "two or three" as the minimum number for a gathering in the name of the Lord, not two or three families. One can, therefore, imagine exceptional circumstances, which occasionally also exist, where a gathering becomes smaller and smaller so that, in the end, only brothers and sisters of a "core family" gather there. Are they now forced to stop breaking bread? If they have the faith to continue to come together in the name of the Lord, who are we to forbid them? But one should be very careful to apply these special circumstances when starting to gather in a place or a house. Exceptions remain exceptions and must certainly not be demanded in isolation or independence.