Sign up for In Part II, we saw that a typical house church will go through four stages of growth: forming, storming, norming and performing. We noted that conflict will invariably arise, and that rather than stifling it, we should view conflict as an opportunity for growth. By liberally applying agape love and “one anothering”, our group will continue to develop and provide a haven for those who need fellowship but cannot find it in their locale. In this article, we will look at gifts and growth.
The term “organic church” has become popular today, where the concern is not theology so much, but covenant and relationship with the Creator. To a Hebrew, the focus was on living the Godly life as opposed to dissecting and analyzing it. Greek philosophical thinking gave post-apostolic Christianity its obsession with systematic theology and doctrinal statements. Hebrews asked, “Who is God and how can I have a relationship with Him?” Greeks asked, “What is God and how should I comprehend Him?” Jesus’ Jewish apostles were not obsessed with the nature of Jesus. Instead, they taught that having faith in him, by having a relationship with him, was the key. Jesus Christ is alive, cares for his sheep, and is interested in our welfare and growth. He is the vine and we are the branches.
One of the key activities of first century house churches was the exercising of gifts of the Spirit. Paul, in Romans, says,
“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom 12:4-8)
The list of gifts here is not exhaustive. 1Corinthians mentions others. Nevertheless, the point is that “…each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1Cor 12:7). Ephesians mentions gifts given to men who would then perform various leadership roles (Eph 4:7-11), for the purpose of “…building up of the body of Christ” (v12). Therefore, each member has a contribution to make to the local body of Christ, the house church.
Given this apostolic counsel, it seems imperative that each member prayerfully ask God what his or her gifts are, and how to exercise them. It is equally important that other members work to discern the gifts in their brothers and sisters and encourage them to exercise those gifts. Not all have the same gifts. Or as Paul said, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?” (1Cor 12:17). Each is given gifts for ministering to others. Whether it is prophecy (speaking God’s words), service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, or other gifts, they should be used for the building up of our house church in Jesus.
Participation by all cannot be stressed enough. Paul says to the Corinthians:
“When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” -1Cor 14:26
Elsewhere, Paul asks us to, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19-20), “…admonish one another with all wisdom…” (Col 3:16), and “…not give up meeting together… [But]…encourage one another…” (Heb. 10:25). These first century meetings were a dynamic and a somewhat unstructured interchange of spiritual good things. Gifts were exercised as directed by the Spirit, all for the building up of each other in Christ, and all in love for each other and for God.
Although loosely structured, the meetings were not chaotic. With regards to the exercise of the gift of tongues for example, Paul admonished the Corinthians to exercise their gifts one at a time. If there were no interpreter, it was better to remain silent (1Cor 14:27). The purpose was always to build up one another and to be reasonable and rational.
Two other factors are absolutely essential for growth: the Word and the Spirit. They are like the water and sunshine that plants require for life. The Word needs to be taught, but more than just learned intellectually, it needs to be incorporated into our very being. Jesus likened the Word to bread that gives life (Mt 4:4). We need to feed on this bread; take it into our hearts and minds; and meditate upon it (Ps 1:1-3). We are to continue in his Word (Jn 8:31) and be cleansed by the water of the Word (Eph 5:26). If we keep the Word Jesus taught, he promises to come to us with the Father and live with us (Jn 14:23).
We need the Holy Spirit to understand the Word and to grow up in Christ. It is the Spirit from the Father that prepares and motivates our minds and hearts. We can pray for the Spirit (Ac 4:31; 8:15; Lk 11:13). The Spirit will teach us (Jn 14:26; 1Jn 2:27). The Spirit will produce Christ-like fruits in us (Gal 5:22-3); the greatest fruit being agape love (1Cor 13:13). Being led by the Spirit is confirmation that we are in God’s family (Ro 8:14).
But the Spirit’s operation is not just on individuals. God also pours his Spirit out on his family as a group. At Pentecost, the church was praying together faithfully when a miraculous and surprising outpouring occurred (Ac 2:1-4). Again in Acts 4:31, after praying, the disciples received another manifestation of the Spirit. Likewise, house churches today should pray for and seek the Spirit of God to inspire and lead their service to Him.
Our house churches should be a place where God can freely interact with us and us with each other; where all contribute according to their gifts. The Word of God should be highly respected, and the Holy Spirit present. The love that seeks God’s best for one another, agape love, should abound. If all these ingredients are there, the house church will grow and thrive. Jesus the vine, and we the branches, will bear much fruit.
