This writing begins a multi-part series exploring a preposterous claim. The claim will probably be so ridiculous, even offensive to your ears that you will stop reading. However I will provide Scriptural basis for the idea that the pattern for believers meeting together was given in the New Testament as THE way to meet for all believers for all times. Over 15 years of being led to sow seeds for a return to first century pattern of meeting together, I've never had anyone provide a more convincing story of 'church' than those observing these things with me.
The Pattern
To get started Ill outline the 'wineskin' that the Lord intended all believers to follow through all times. I will demonstrate that the first century believers met in homes, in smaller groups around the Lords Supper. This was not a piece of bread and wine, it was a full meal with a loaf and wine as constituent parts. The believers would exercise gifts but not as ranked leadership with official offices. I will give Scriptural basis for all these things including the fact the Paul defined this an 'ekklesia,' the term used for gathering together to break bread.
A Distinct Gathering
The word 'ekklesia' is not a special 'church' term. The word comes from an 'assembly of people who are gathered to discuss matters of state.' Paul used this word because the gathering around a meal was just that! The state was the Kingdom of God. So believers met to do other things like pray or have specific teaching sessions but this was distinct by its purpose. The idea that 'ekklesia' is any instance when the believers gather for any reason is simply error when we see Paul using this term to define gathered believers 'break bread'.
The data around the first believers meeting this way is well known. Theologians and scholars are well written on this simple way to meet. For those needing a few pointers here are some Scriptures that demonstrate this is how they met.
Met in homes:
1 Cor 16:19
Rom 16:3-5
Phil 1:1-2
Col 4:15
There's much more evidence for this but without one single scripture describing THIS meeting taking place in the synagogues or a specially prepared communal hall, we can be sure the New Testament is clear about the place ekklesia met. Acts 2:46 indicates they met in the Temple but with this isolated 'met' reference it could have been a rallying point for the Apostles or a place where they started with prayers. It certainly doesn't appear in the rest of Paul's Epistles as normative practice for believers meeting together.
Around a Meal:
In 1 Cor 11 Paul is correcting some error in believers gorging themselves on the food and getting drunk! Seamlessly Paul goes on to instruct the Corinthians about this gathering called 'ekklesia.' There was enough food to overeat and wine to get drunk! This was a full meal. Also not Paul urging the Corinthians to 'keep the feast,' as we can see, a food fiesta with lots of wine! Note in Acts 2:42-47 is a Jewish idiom for a full meal. Note Paul in Acts 20 dialogues with those present and then they have a meal together. This was ekklesia and the text points out Paul had the floor because he was leaving.
That Jesus instructed the Apostles to eat a meal at the Last Supper I will leave for later.
Open and equal sharing
1 Corinthians 14:26
Colossians 3:16
Hebrews 10:25
These scriptures show believers mutually encouraging. building up each other on level footing.
Conclusion
So the New Testament shows clearly that the ekkelsia was a distinct gathering around a meal in homes with open and equal sharing. The well known scholars agree this was how the church met together. One question that needs to be answered is why we don't have this clearly instructed from the Lord?
The answer is ... we do! The second installment of this exploration will show Jesus telling us how to meet when we gather in remembrance of him.
Gary Ward
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