How true is Jesus statement especially in our time? We are living in the hour which Jesus referred to in His conversation with the woman at the well:
"Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when you shall neither worship in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth: For the Father seeketh such to worship him" (John 4:21,23). We are witnessing unprecedented relocation and movement of people, never seen in history with the exception of the dispersion of the human race at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11). This may be due to many factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, natural disasters like flood and fire and high cost of living.
Further, it is increasingly becoming very expensive to put up church buildings. The high cost together with inflation in the world is hard on most Christiians. Many churches have seen their income plumetted. We cannot even talk of the astronomical cost of maintenance, and the extremely difficult nature of procuring land and permits for places of worship in some countries.
PGAll believes it is about time the church resort to the well-proven method of getting the Gospel into our neighborhood and communities:
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread (the Lord's Supper) from house to house" (Acts 2:46). PGAll believes home fellowship is the perfect solution to these seemingly insurmountable difficulties and the most efficient and cost effective means to promote the good news of the Gospel. Since most people owning homes are paying mortgage and maintenance on them, having two or three brethren for fellowship at home once or twice a week may not add any cost at all to what is been paid on the house.
Again, we believe, in times of persecutions, which have already begun in some countries, the Church of Jesus Christ would be in a better position to withstand and continue the work of evangelism and fellowshipping. It may make it easy for the church to disappear or go underground and not become an easy target for the enemy.
Jesus Christ the founder and Lord of the Christian church left His church an example to follow. Almost all his crusades, teaching services and fellowships were done in private homes. Apart from the occasional visits to the Jewish temple and the synagogues, all other meetings were held in private homes, desert places, and any convenient place that they could find. Here are a few examples from the scriptures:
"And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying" (Acts 12:12).
"Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Romans 16:5). "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house" (Colossians 4:15). "And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house" (Philimon 1:2). Just as the scriptures have said, great reward awaits all those who win souls. Hence, let us all get involved; let us pray that we would reach all those who are to be saved before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us fill our neighborhood, communities, cities and towns with home fellowships:
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Mathew 24:14). The harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. You may not have to go out of your way to win souls for the Kingdom of God. Around you are your next door neighbors, friends, workmates, schoolmates, spouse, family members, school teacher, postman, trash removers, the sick, homeless, dry cleaners and business partners. Your neighbor is anyone beside you. There is so much each of us can do.
Spreading the Gospel of Christ is the duty of all Christians. The bible commands each of us to: "love our neighbour as ourselves" (Mathew 22:40). The answer to Cain's self-justifying question "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9), is a resounding yes. Yes, we are one another's keeper. Jesus did not say only church leaders should preach the Gospel, instead, every believer or disciple should be a soul winner. Preaching the Gospel that saves human life should not be limited to the pulpit:
"He that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).
"Let him know, that he who converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:20). "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). Every Christian is ordained or appointed by God to preach the Gospel (John 15:16):
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" (John 15:16).
The priesthood of believers is not limited only to those with special calling or particular functions as stated in Ephesians 4:11ff. As priests unto God, each of us is called to intercede and testify to or bear witness to what God has done for us and willing to do for others:
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen" (Revelations 1:6; cf.5:10; 1 Peter 2:2). Every Christian is anointed to preach the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Every Christian is indwelt by the Spirit of God; the Spirit Himself is the believer's anointing:
"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth" (1John 2:20). "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1John 2:27). Every Christian is an ambassador for Christ. Chosen of God and indwelt by the Spirit and led by same, we are called upon to continue the work of the ministry:
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2Corinthians 5:20). The reward of our labor is very great. He that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30 kjv). There is a reward for the righteous, so let us get busy.
Tips for Organization
1. Keep the number very small, 3-12 maximum (depending on the size of house). This number includes your household.
2. Limit the noise of your fellowship to the four walls of your own home.
3. No drums or loud speakers; however, cymbals and tambourines can be used.
4. No sign board or advertising (contact must be made by word of mouth only).
5. Be cautious of who you invite into your home for fellowship, since we have many wolves in sheep clothing. A good way to start is with those you have personally won to Christ or know very well that they are Christians.
6. No permits needed, PGAll, would provide you a certificate of affiliation should you need a covering.
7. No offerings, but, each must individually support the work of God and the poor.
8. House fellowship should not replace your local church if you have one. Rather, your home fellowship can become a tool for intimate relationship and deeper growth in the Lord.
9. No rental facility; must be strictly within the convenience of your private home.
10. Night vigils are not recommended, unless extremely needed. Neighborhood concerns must be seriously considered prior. Christians are people of peace and not strife.
11. Every house fellowship must be independent of the other. No titles, no promotion; all are brethren in the Lord. If any have a gift, it must be done in decency and to the benefit of all. Everything must be done for the glory of God and God alone.
12. The house of a brother who has a questionable character or bad reputation in the community or known to be a rioter should not be used, since it can be a reproach to the good name of the Lord:
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat "(1 Corinthians 5:11).
You can order our specially prepared "Home fellowship book" to help you organize and prepare scriptural notes of your meetings. It is currently in its early stages of preparation and should be available to you soon. However, you can place the order now. We will update you on it progress. For your personal growth, again, we recommend you order our book "Transcended Life." This book would also help you be sure of your place in the body of Christ and what God has called you to do.
You can obtain this book from your local bookstore or buy it directly from us.