I've been enjoying this study on the Body of Christ, and there's so much I could share. Unfortunately due to lack of space, and time I will only share the parts that make the greatest impression on me. I encourage you to study this out on your own however.
The Domestic Ecclesia
Growing up in the religious system, I've always noticed the big contrast between how Christianity worships today from the way Paul did in his time.
Today we have a "mission field" and "Church plantings". Today we have a "board of members" a "creed" and "charitable status" with the government.
Where once the Church was completely organic and domestic in nature, it is now as structured and organized as any human organization. In this, it is no different from the pagan temples of Babylon and Roman mythology. It has a sanctuary, an altar, and religious hierarchy. It esteems men to be as great, if not greater than God in the hearts of those who worship.
Consider;
From Acts to Revelations, the House is mentioned 66 times. They worshiped in the house, they ministered in houses, they met in houses. Some might argue it was because the church was young and just starting out. Consider this then; Paul was raised in religion, he understood temple worship. He understood the human desire for organized religion. It would have been far easier to win Jewish converts with a temple system. Also far easier to win gentile converts who previously worshipped pagan gods in their temples with a similar organized system.
He didn't, he understood that the Body of Christ was unique and divinely formed. It cannot and would not be institutionalized.
1 Cor 1:10-13
10 Now I am entreating you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all may be saying the same thing, and there may be no schisms among you, but you may be attuned to the same mind and to the same opinion.
11 For it was made evident to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe, that there are strifes among you.
12 Now I am saying this, that each of you is saying, "I, indeed, am of Paul," yet "I of Apollos," yet "I of Cephas," yet "I of Christ."
13 Christ is parted! Not Paul was crucified for your sakes! Or into the name of Paul are you baptized?
11 For it was made evident to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe, that there are strifes among you.
12 Now I am saying this, that each of you is saying, "I, indeed, am of Paul," yet "I of Apollos," yet "I of Cephas," yet "I of Christ."
13 Christ is parted! Not Paul was crucified for your sakes! Or into the name of Paul are you baptized?
As soon as an institution is formed even if it should be named "The Church of Christ" we have come out from within God's divinely formed body and set up something in opposition to God.
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Meeting in the homes was God's ideal. It was to be as a family, it was to be a safe haven. There is a reason "Home is where the heart is" is a cliche.
Paul frequently referred to those in the ecclesia as "Brothers, Sisters, sons and daughters" and other family terms.
1 Cor 4:15-16
15 For if you should be having ten thousand escorts in Christ, nevertheless not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus, through the evangel, I beget you.
16 I am entreating you, then, become imitators of me.
16 I am entreating you, then, become imitators of me.
Romans 1:13
13 Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that often I purposed to come to you (and was prevented hitherto) that I should be having some fruit among you also, according as among the rest of the nations.
Romans 7:1
1 Or are you ignorant, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know law), that the law is lording it over a man for as much time as he is living?
etc. etc.
If your conscience is prodding you, and you are aware of the system you are trapped in, i beseech you. Leave the system, find your freedom in the body of Christ.
Galatians 3:27-28
27 For whoever are baptized into Christ, put on Christ,
28 in Whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus.
28 in Whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you all are one in Christ Jesus.
2 Cor 4:2
2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of Go
and finally
2 Cor 6:14-7:1
14 Do not become diversely yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what communion has light with darkness?
15 Now what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part a believer with an unbeliever?
16 Now what concurrence has a temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, according as God said, that I will be making My home and will be walking in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 Wherefore, Come out of their midst and be severed, the Lord is saying. And touch not the unclean, and I will admit you,
18 and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.
15 Now what agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part a believer with an unbeliever?
16 Now what concurrence has a temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, according as God said, that I will be making My home and will be walking in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 Wherefore, Come out of their midst and be severed, the Lord is saying. And touch not the unclean, and I will admit you,
18 and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.
1 Having, then, these promises, beloved, we should be cleansing ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, completing holiness in the fear of God.
Amen,
Travis
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