House churches emerge when truly converted people stop living their own lives for their own ends, and begin living in a community life according to the values of the Kingdom of God, sharing their lives and resources with those Christians and not-yet-Christians around them.
This gem is from Wolfgang Simson’s book The House Church Book. I just finished reading it and I would highly recommend it. One chapter in the book is titled, House Church or Cell Church? which answers many questions people have about the difference between the two.
Another chapter in the book contains supporting scripture for House Church. I have included Wolfgang’s Biblical references below, scripture that supports small community gatherings in homes. I thought it might be useful. Blessings.
As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
Matthew 10:12-14
When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.
Luke 10:5
Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around house to house.
Luke 10:7
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Acts 10:22
Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me.”
Acts 10:30
When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.”
Acts 16:15
Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
Acts 16:32
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
Acts 2:46
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 5:42
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 8:3
The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.”
Acts 9:11
When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying,
Acts 12:12
After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.
Acts 16:40
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
Acts 18:7
You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.
Acts 20:20
Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.
Acts 21:8
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Romans 16:5
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets in their house.
1 Corinthians 16:19
Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and the Nympha and the church in her house.
Colossians 4:15
Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
1 Timothy 5:13
To Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your house.
Philemon 1:2
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.
2 John 1:10