According to the New Testament pattern, house churches should be:
- supported by money given by the members,
- governed by local elders, and
- served by locally appointed deacons.
They should also be busy evangelizing and propagating the gospel. If the gospel is to be effectively shared with other people all around, then each house church must become a base for evangelism activities.
This was the pattern in the early New Testament church.
1. The Church At Jerusalem
The first seven chapters of the Book of Acts describe the activities of the first church at Jerusalem. It seems there were several years of getting the new members trained and equipped for ministry following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Then the church settled down in spiritual comfort and forgot the instructions given by Jesus.
Jesus had said: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 niv). The witness must begin in Jerusalem (your home town), and then be carried to the nearby areas (Judea), and then to further distant points and finally to the ends of the earth.
2. Persecution Produces Evangelism
When the church at Jerusalem failed to obey this mandate, the Lord allowed persecution mat caused the people to be scattered. Only then was the gospel carried by large numbers of the members to other places.
Acts 8 tells the story. Among those scattered by persecution was Philip. He went down to Samaria and preached Christ to the people. A wonderful revival followed. In Chapter 9 we discover that there were believers in Damascus, and in verse 31 we read about "the churches... throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria."
Turning to Acts 11:19, we read: “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word... "
3. The Church At Antioch
All these new centers of Christianity were the outcome of the evangelistic activities of the church at Jerusalem. However, in Acts 13-we find that one of these new churches developed into another "operational base." It was the church at Antioch.
During a time of prayer and fasting at Antioch, the Holy Spirit confirmed the call of Paul and Barnabas to conduct a missionary tour to distant places. It was in Antioch that they laid their hands on these two apostles and sent them away.
After they had been gone for about two years, we read: "From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. "On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. ''And they stayed there a long time with the disciples" (Acts 14:26-28 niv).
The church at Jerusalem was always held in high esteem as the original center from which the gospel came. But here was Antioch sponsoring its own evangelism activities and becoming a base for missionary operations. It was not to Jerusalem that Paul and Barnabas returned to report on their activities, but to Antioch — the city church which had sponsored their pioneering tour.
It is true that Paul, Barnabas and other brethren went to Jerusalem where a conference of apostles and elders was held (Acts 15). This was to settle a fundamental issue of doctrine. Nevertheless, the picture presented to us in the Book of Acts is one of locally governed city and house churches becoming involved in evangelism. A variety of the five ministry-gifts functioned under the headship of Jesus Christ in Antioch. They moved in the power of the Holy Spirit. They sponsored missionary evangelistic outreach.
4. Recognition Of Ministry-Gifts
Every house church functioned under the oversight of its elders, but all fully recognized the ministry-gifts which God had ordained for their leadership, instruction and exhortation.
The apostolic ministries in the Book of Acts often operated for several years from one center. We find that Paul was in Antioch for "a whole year" prior to his missionary itinerary described in Acts 13 and 14. On returning from the missionary tour, he “abode long time with the disciples'' at Antioch. At Corinth, Paul stayed for eighteen months (Acts 18:11). At Ephesus he continued for three years (Acts 20:17,31).
Thus we see how Paul's apostolic ministry used these churches, located in key cities, as centers for his ministry for long periods of time. Nevertheless, these city churches and house churches were self-governing evangelism bases for the spread of the gospel.
5. Pattern For Today
Surely this is the pattern the Lord intended us to follow. We were to continue this throughout the centuries of the Church age, for the entire history of the Church upon earth.
May God raise up more and more house churches soundly established and energetically pursuing a program of evangelism and soul-winning. It is God's will that house churches give birth to other house churches.
In this way, by the law of compound multiplication, not only can the gospel be spread, but house assemblies can be formed as spiritual homes for those that are brought to Christ.
B. SUGGESTED METHODS OF OUTREACH FOR OUR DAY
The five-point program for revival outlined at the beginning of this section is:
- Deep Desire
- Definite Program
- Dedicated Team
- Disciplined Minds
- Deliverance Ministry
All these have been covered, with the exception of the second point. The definite program, or methods of outreach of each assembly or group of churches, must be worked out according to local conditions and circumstances. However, here are a few suggested means of evangelism.
These are proving effective in many places, and may be adapted as the Holy Spirit leads.
1. Preaching The Gospel
Nothing can take the place of the anointed preaching of the Word of God.This is God's ordained method of saving souls. Under this heading we would include: preaching indoors, in churches, in halls, or in tents, as well as in the open air (see 1 Corinthians 1:21).
2. Campaigns With Visiting Evangelists
The anointed ministry of an evangelist can make a great impact. Evangelism is a scriptural method for the saving of souls. There are God-called evangelists whose integrity and qualifications are proved, and these may be used to great advantage in the outreach of city churches or house churches.
3. Christian Films
The success of films will depend very much upon different conditions in each locality. The right film at the right time in the right place can be greatly used by the Lord. This method of outreach, used wisely, can bring many new people into the house church, and thus reach them with the gospel.
4. The Printed Page
Publishing the Word of God is a very important form of outreach. Many organizations have demonstrated the tremendous power of the printed page. We should aim to put a piece of Christian literature in the hands of as many people as we can. There is great opportunity for local assemblies in using this method of outreach.
5. Personal Witnessing
It seems that the great majority of souls that are saved are won through personal witnessing. One of the most effective witnesses of the house church is the personal witness of those who have proved the grace and power of God in their lives. Believers can do this ministry at work, in social contacts, and even going from one house to another talking to people.
6. Youth Activities
It is reported that one thing lacking in every juvenile criminal is a vital Christian experience. Here is a vast field of opportunity, reaching young people — from the youngest child to the oldest teenager. House churches have a wonderful opportunity in this method of outreach.
7. Advertising
While it is true that one miracle can do more than anything else to advertise the gospel, we can also effectively use the various advertising media available to us.
Newspaper advertising has often been proved to be effective. Handbills and pieces of literature can also be used to great advantage. Radio and television are also two means by which we can reach thousands of people with the Good News.
In this modem world, the city church should seek to use all modem means to reach this modem generation. The gospel never fails to satisfy the hearts of all. Let us seek to conform to the New Testament pattern. Let us accept the challenge of our times. Let us engage in an "operation outreach." Let us win the lost at any cost before Christ returns. We shall be well rewarded with the joy of serving the Lord here and now, and by receiving the crown from His hands when He comes.
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