Going to Church in the First Century, Part IV: A Proposed Model Further Restoring the Church of Christ

Going to Church in the First Century: Part One

Part Two

Part Three

“Greet also the church that meets in their house” (Romans 16:5).

Frank Viola writes,

“It is the clergy system and the institutional structure that inhibits the rediscovery of face-to-face community, supplants the functional Headship of Christ, and stifles the full ministry of every believer. Consequently, all attempts at renewal will always be shortsighted until the clergy system and institutional structure is dismantled in a local fellowship.”— ReImagining Church, p. 268.

John Mark Hicks writes,

"We are all shaped by our experience. When we think about “church,” we conceive it in ways that approximate our experience. When we think about “preaching,” we conceive it in accordance with our experience of preaching. When we think about the Lord’s supper, our minds are filled with images from our experience. We think about pews in a church building, multiple-cup trays, (perhaps even “one cup” for some), unleavened bread in the form of crackers, a man officiating from the pulpit, men standing behind a symbolic table with their arms formally crossed at the waist aligned in a meticulous order, silent meditation, and focused attention on the death of Christ. But what was the practice of the Lord’s supper like in the first century?"

"Too easily, we assume that our experience of the Lord’s supper is equivalent to that of the primitive church. We lose a sense of historical perspective as we collapse our practice into theirs and assume their practice was functionally equivalent to ours. Actually, it appears that the practice of the supper in the early church was very different from ours. Their supper was home-based, a full meal with food and drink, an interactive fellowship at a table and characterized by joyous celebration…[O]ur practice of the supper as a silent, solemn, individualistic eating of bread and drinking of wine is radically dissimilar to the joyous communal meal that united Christians in first century house churches."— Come To the Table, p. 10.

                                                                                                    

Assembling for a Meal, Discussion, Prayer & Singing

(Acts 20:7; 17:11; 1 Tim. 2:1ff; Matt. 26:26-30)

“And on the first of the week, the disciples having been gathered together to break bread, Paul was discoursing to them, about to depart on the morrow, he was also continuing the discourse till midnight.”—Young’s Literal Translation

“The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”—Christian Standard Bible

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people"—NIV

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives"—NIV

During the discussion following the meal, all opinions are welcome within a framework of respectful conversation and critical thinking following the example of the open minded people of Acts 17:11.

A list of Socratic Questions will be provided to everyone at the Lord’s Table to help increase everyone's understanding concerning what is being said, and everyone is encouraged to ask questions and make comments decently and in order.

In larger assemblies--if multiple house churches assemble--then 2-3 men will speak and others will pass judgment. This is designed for orderliness and edification purposes and rabbit hole questions that interrupt or dominate the discussion may be discussed among families later at their homes or respective house churches, etc. (1 Cor. 14:23; 14:34-40).

The following is taken and adapted from Daniel Keeran:

Principles/Assumptions: 

1. The scriptures are divinely inspired, right and true.

2. Everyone sincerely wants to believe and do what is right and true.

3. No one alive today is inspired by God.

4. Unity can best be achieved within a framework of respectful conversation in which all opinions are enthusiastically welcomed.

5. Mutual understanding rather than agreement, is the goal of the discussion.

Format: 

Guests invited to the assembly of the church for the Lord’s supper may be from any faith perspective. After the meal, instead of a lecture there will be a group discussion where all are allowed to express agreement or disagreement providing Scriptures and historical evidence to support one’s views. A different moderator each week facilitates discussion and reminds members of discussion guidelines as needed.

This can be best handled by meeting in the various homes of the members of the church and the fathers moderating, etc. An entire epistle may be read, or listened to on recording for discussion, or a pressing topic may be discussed, etc.

Discussion Guidelines: 

1. No dominating. Keep comments brief. Over-talking can be interpreted as aggression or a need to control and dominate.

2. No name-calling, negative innuendo, sarcastic put-down’s or threats of any kind.

3. Before responding to passionate views, try sincerely reflecting others views with whom you disagree.

4. Keep your voice volume normal and avoid shouting, yelling, pointing, or pounding your fist.

5. Ask others what they are saying rather than tell them what they are saying. Don’t put words in others mouths.

6. Avoid directing anger toward others, especially those with whom you disagree.

Prayer requests on anyone’s behalf are encouraged (1 Tim. 2:1-15).

After the meal, discussion and prayer, singing in praise to God should be anticipated (Matthew 26:30).

No church treasury will be kept or controlled by elders and/or preachers.

Private collections for widows, orphans and the poor are encouraged to be accumulated "at home" by individual families and/or directly given to organizations, etc. (1 Cor. 16:1-4).

No buildings will ever be built or purchased.

No professional Christians will ever be hired.

No Bible classes will be taught.

Families are encouraged to see that their own children are taught at homes/schools, etc.

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--Discussion Format taken from Daniel Keeran, MSW

--Adapted by Scott Perry, B.A., M.A.
--Underlined words are links to other articles on that topic.