A short, concise 45-page synopsis of church history, this book explores the significant role that meeting in small groups has played throughout the history of the church. Author Michael Albrecht also looks toward the future and considers how we must prepare, particularly if the West is exposed to persecution. A portion of his thoughts is included below.
After we have looked at the history, present-day situation, and future of the house church, we note that small, flexible gatherings of believers have always existed throughout history, despite often being marginalized and despised by the mainstream institutional churches of their day. These small fellowships have carried Christians through times of persecution and tribulation and were not to overcome by the enemy. Whilst there is a justification for larger public church gatherings, as God has been using the small and the large church during history, He has faithfully shown up where people genuinely met in His name. That’s where God’s true church is being found.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt 18:20)
Small house gatherings despite being simple to establish, have specific dynamics that need to be adhered to, if they intend to become strong havens of teaching, worship, and discipleship. They will offer the ideal ground for future times of persecution, as they can be established everywhere even outdoors and easily disguised as family gatherings. Members have a high degree of relationship, which makes them strongholds of mutual support in times of crisis and suffering. They must remain outward focused for the Lord to achieve His Great Commission through them, even if public churches no longer operate or are being rendered unbiblical by a totalitarian government, as the Chinese example shows.
There are reservations in the population due to negative propaganda about house churches which have slowed down their natural growth and make us somehow ill prepared for coming times of persecution, but as history showed, in times of crisis faithful believers will quickly rediscover the benefits of home gatherings and will take hold of them to continue serving Christ in numerous ways.
It is difficult to say at this stage, whether the “church in the home” will become the new generally accepted “normal”, or whether believers will gravitate to some sort of “hybrid church”, or online fellowship model, as this depends on regional demographic factors and the intensity of future persecution. In rural areas the emergence of self-sufficient Christian communities following the example of the Amish or Hutterites would be conceivable.
During the Great Tribulation when mentioning the name of Christ alone will lead to the death penalty, there will be no other meeting place for believers than the “church in the home”.
God is pointing us not only to the New Testament example of the “church in the home” but reassures us that no matter our surrounding outward circumstances, He will protect His people as they meet in His name and calls to us as in:
“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev 22:7)
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