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Biblical Objectives For House Church Gatherings

House church gatherings, like all Christian assemblies, are fundamentally purposed for the worship of God and the edification of believers. The term "church" itself, from the Greek ecclesia, signifies an assembly or gathering [6]. Scriptural examples and theological reflections highlight several key objectives for these gatherings.

One primary objective is the worship of God. The Old Testament provides a precedent for communal worship, with the Tabernacle and later the Temple serving as places where the Lord would meet with his people, speak with them, and dwell among them [10]. Offerings and feasts were part of this communal worship [4]. In the New Testament, the church is called the "house of God" and the "church of the living God," which is described as "the pillar and base of what is true" [3]. This implies a foundational role in upholding truth and honoring God. Holiness is commanded for God's people and is necessary for His worship [5].

Another crucial objective is the spiritual growth and maturity of believers. The church is understood as the "body of Christ" [1], and its members are to care for one another [16]. Ministry within the church aims for the entire community to deepen its understanding and experience of the Christian faith, gaining a profounder knowledge of God's Son. The ultimate goal is for believers to become mature in the Lord, reflecting Christ's character [12]. This growth is fostered through mutual exhortation and encouragement, as believers are urged not to neglect "the assembling of ourselves together" [17]. Such gatherings provide opportunities for "provoking to good works" [17].

House churches also serve as a context for fellowship and mutual support. The early church often met in homes [8]. Families are encouraged to worship God together, be taught the Scriptures, and live in unity and mutual forbearance [7]. The Apostle Paul, when addressing issues in the Corinthian church, emphasized that gatherings should not shame those who are poor but should demonstrate care for all members of the "church of God" [8]. This highlights the importance of community and practical support within the assembly.

Furthermore, these gatherings are meant to reflect God's glory to the world. The church, comprising both Jews and Gentiles, is intended to be the "reflection and full expression of the glory of God" [9]. It is meant to showcase God’s wisdom in its rich variety to the entire universe, particularly through His plan of redemption [14].

Prayer is also a significant component of Christian gatherings. The Bible presents examples of God's people, including Jesus himself, engaging in prayer, sometimes for extended periods [13]. While individual prayer is vital, social prayer, including family prayer and prayer in assemblies, is an important means of grace [13]. Joel called for a solemn assembly for the purpose of seeking God, involving all members of the community, including children and elders [2, 18].

Historically, the practice of assembling on stated days for worship has been a consistent aspect of Christian life, even after the abrogation of the Sabbath as a ceremonial law [15]. These gatherings are not merely social events but are intended to cultivate "supreme love and gratitude to Christ" and a commitment to forsake sin and live devoted to His service [11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of the Church — Assembly of the saints -- Ps 89:7. Assembly of the upright -- Ps 111:1. Body of Christ -- Eph 1:22,23; Col 1:24. Branch of God's planting -- Isa 60:21. Bride of Christ -- Re 21:9. Church of God -- Ac 20:28. Church of the Living God -- 1Ti 3:15. Church of the first-born -- Heb 12:23. City of the Living God -- Heb 12:22. Congregation of saints -- Ps 149:1. Congregation of the Lord's poor -- Ps 74:19. Dove -- Song 2:14; 5:2. Family in heaven and earth -- Eph 3:15. Flock of God -- Eze 34:15; 1Pe 5:2. Fold of Christ -- Joh 10:16. General a”
  2. Joel “Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts. Let the bridegroom go out of his room, and the bride out of her room. -- Joel 2:16”
  3. I Timothy “I Timothy 3:15 (BBE) — But if I am long in coming, this will make clear to you what behaviour is right for men in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of what is true.”
  4. Nehemiah “for the show bread, and for the continual meal offering, and for the continual burnt offering, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. -- Nehemiah 10:33”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Church — Derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., "the Lord's house"), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament, both words meaning simply an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever us”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Families — Of saints blessed -- Ps 128:3-6. Should Be taught the Scriptures. -- De 4:9,10. Worship God together. -- 1Co 16:19. Be duly regulated. -- Pr 31:27; 1Ti 3:4,5,12. Live in unity. -- Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1. Live in mutual forbearance. -- Ge 50:17-21; Mt 18:21,22. Rejoice together before God. -- De 14:26. Deceivers and liars should be removed from -- Ps 101:7. Warning against departing from God -- De 29:18. Punishment of irreligious -- Jer 10:25. Good -- Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 18:19. Jacob. -- Ge 35:2. Joshua. -- Jos 24:15. David. -- 2Sa 6:20. Job. -- Job 1:5.”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:22: What!--Greek, "For." houses--(compare Co1 11:34) --"at home." That is the place to satiate the appetite, not the assembly of the brethren [ALFORD]. despise ye the church of God--the congregation mostly composed of the poor, whom "God hath chosen," however ye show contempt for them (Jam 2:5); compare "of God" here, marking the true honor of the Church. shame them that have not--namely, houses to eat and drink in, and who, therefore, ought to have received their portion at the love-feasts from their wealthier brethren. I praise you not--r”
  9. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:21: 3:21 The church—the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles—is to be the reflection and full expression of the glory of God.”
  10. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 29:42: 29:42-46 The purpose of the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the sacrificial system was to facilitate human fellowship with God. The Lord would meet with his people there (29:42, 43) and speak with them (29:42). He would live among them as their God (29:45, 46).”
  11. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 68: this sacrament demands should exist in the heart, without producing supreme love and gratitude to Christ, and the fixed purpose to forsake all sin and to live devoted to his service. Our Church, therefore, teaches that it is required of them who would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon Him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience. It is, however, not to be inferred from this that a man must be assured that he is a true believe”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
  13. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 73: vi. 6 .) The Bible presents to us the example of the people of God, and of our blessed Lord himself, as a rule of conduct on this subject. We read that Christ often retired for the purpose of prayer, and not unfrequently spent whole nights in that exercise. If the spotless soul of Jesus needed these seasons of converse with God, none of his followers should venture to neglect this important means of grace. Let each day, at least, begin and end with God. Social prayer includes family prayer, and prayer in the assemblies of the people for s”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:10: 3:10 The church is meant to showcase to the entire universe God’s wisdom in its rich variety, as expressed in his plan of redemption (see Rom 11:33-36). • the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places: See Eph 1:21 and corresponding study note.”
  15. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: ); meaning by body the whole essence of the truth, as is well explained in that passage. This is not contented with one day, but requires the whole course of our lives, until being completely dead to ourselves, we are filled with the life of God. Christians, therefore, should have nothing to do with a superstitious observance of days. 32. The two other cases ought not to be classed with ancient shadows, but are adapted to every age. The sabbath being abrogated, there is still room among us, first, to assemble on stated days for the”
  16. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
  17. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:25: assembling of ourselves together--The Greek, "episunagoge," is only found here and Th2 2:1 (the gathering together of the elect to Christ at His coming, Mat 24:31). The assembling or gathering of ourselves for Christian communion in private and public, is an earnest of our being gathered together to Him at His appearing. Union is strength; continual assemblings together beget and foster love, and give good opportunities for "provoking to good works," by "exhorting one another" (Heb 3:13). IGNATIUS says, "When ye frequently, and in numbers meet togeth”
  18. Joel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joel 2:15: 2:15 Joel called for a time of fasting and a solemn meeting for the purpose of seeking God.”
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