Where did Jesus' early disciples gather?
By: Dr. Josimar SalumFrom the forefront, it needs to be made clear that this study is not intended to combat the church's “gathering” in temples or similar buildings. The aim of this text is in facto to show clearly, if you are truly interested in learning, that there is no biblical basis for meeting in temples. Whether it is right or not, whether you agree or disagree, whether you are in favor or not, this study only shows the New Testament evidence for this fact.
It is easy to see that the disciples of Jesus since they began to follow him did not hold their meetings in temples. They could not meet in synagogues, nor in the temple in Jerusalem. On the contrary, Jesus was expelled from the synagogue of his own city and was never welcome in the temple.
It would be very contradictory to say that the Church in Jerusalem worshiped in the temple that Jesus was never received in, but very briefly when He was 12 years old. In fact, the biggest accusation they made to condemn Jesus was precisely related to His prediction of the destruction of the temple, after all, the time had come that God would be worshiped anywhere.
“Some spoke of the temple, as it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts; Then said Jesus, Do you see these things? Days will come when no stone will be left unturned.” Luke 21: 5-6
““Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”” John 4: 21-24
According to Luke's account, the early disciples initially met in the temple courts, but could not worship there freely. The synagogues and the temple were led by religious leaders who neither believed nor received Jesus nor the apostles.
“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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2: 46-47
Remember that the high priest sent Jesus to Pilate to be condemned, and it was the religious leaders who arrested Peter and John, stoned Stephen, and persecuted the Church of God.
In 2008, archaeologists uncovered what they believe to be the first Christian church ever built. It is located in a cave under St. George's Church in Rihab, northern Jordan - where early Christians are thought to have fled to escape persecution. Built in 230 AD, Saint Georgeous is believed to be the oldest "appropriate" church in the world. Archaeologists say they have evidence suggesting that the church housed some 70 disciples of Jesus Christ who fled Jerusalem during the persecution of Christians.
In an article in the Journal of Late Antiquity, the ancient historian Feyo Schuddeboom argues that the conversion of pagan temples into churches was “traditionally explained as a symbol of Christian triumph over pagan religions.” This is exactly what the Roman emperor did. Constantine, the founder of Christianity, took strength from the pagan temples and transformed them into Christian temples, placing Christian symbols on them and building statues of the saints of the past into their foundation. the Christian religion, rather, the term “Christianity” has nothing to do with the Bible or Jesus.
Emperor Constantine, always attentive to the advancement of religion, also erected the most beautiful temples “for God” everywhere, especially in the metropolises such as Nicomedia in Bithynia, Antioch in the Orontes River and Byzantium. He greatly improved this latter city and made it equal to Rome in power and participation in government; for when he had resolved the affairs of the empire according to his own mind, and rectified foreign affairs by wars and treaties, he decided to found a city that should be called by its own name, and should be equal in celebrity to Rome. (Forbes Magazine Fonts, Bible Hub)
But where did Jesus' early disciples gather?
Jesus clearly instructed his disciples to preach the Gospel from city to city, especially in their homes.
“Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 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.” Matthew 10: 11-13
“Suddenly a sound came from heaven, like a rushing wind, and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” Acts 2: 2
The Holy Spirit did not descend upon the disciples when they were gathered in the Jewish temple, which no longer had the manifest presence of God. The veil of the temple had been torn with the death of Jesus. The holy place and the holy of holies had been leveled to the atrium and the house of prayer had failed so that the Body of Christ, the Church would now become exclusively the House of God.
“… What is to be done in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stronghold of the truth.” 1Timothy 3:15
“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;” “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,” ”Hebrews 12:18, 22-23
So where did Jesus' early disciples gather?
From house to house:
“Every day they persevered unanimously in the temple (Herod's, which was destroyed in AD 70), broke bread from house to house and ate their meals with joy and singleness of heart,” Acts 2:46
“And daily in the temple, and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach Jesus the Christ.” Acts 5:42
The disciples could not worship in this temple as a church, so much so that Peter and John were arrested because they healed a lame in one of its doors. (See Acts 3).
The Church, by the houses:
“But Saul laid waste the church, entering into the houses; and dragging men and women, he kept them in prison. ”Acts 8: 3
Cornelius’ House:
“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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Acts 10: 22
House of Mary, mother of John.
“Considering his situation, he resolved to go to the house of Mary, John's mother, known as Mark, where many people were gathered together and prayed.” Acts 12:12
Centurion's house.
“And they preached unto him the word of God, and to all that were in his house.” Acts 16:32
Lydia’s House.
“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 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.” And she persuaded us” “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.” Acts 16: 14-15, 40
Tito Justo's House.
“Leaving there, he entered into the house of a man named Titus Justus, who was God-fearing; the house adjoined the synagogue. ”Acts 18: 7
Crispus’ House.
“But Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians also heard, believed, and were baptized. ”Acts 18: 8
From house to house.
“Never failing to announce anything profitable to you, and to teach you publicly and also from house to house,” Acts 20:20
Paul's House.
“For two years Paul remained in his own house, which he rented, where he received every one that sought him, preaching the kingdom of God, and with all boldness, without hindrance, taught things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28: 30-31
Priscila and Aquila’s House.
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, also greet the church that meets in their house. Greet my dear Epithet, the firstfruits of Asia to Christ. ”Romans 16: 3, 5
The brothers who gather in the houses.
“Greet Asyncrus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patobas, Hermas, and the brothers who meet with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas and all the saints who meet with them.” Romans 16: 14-15
“The churches of Asia greet you. In the Lord, Aquila and Priscilla greet you very much, as well as the church that is in their house.” 1Corinthians 16:19
“Greet the brothers of Laodicea, and Nymph, and the church which she houses in her house.” Colossians 4:15
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1: 1-3
PS:
“Peace and Grace; Pastor Josimar, I read the text and wondered how big was the house where about 120 people were sitting, those who received the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ”
It was an upper room inside a house. And in Jesus' time, there was no other temple in Jerusalem. Only the temple that was destroyed some 40 years after His crucifixion and resurrection.
I know Jerusalem. Today there are dozens of pagan and idolatrous temples within the city and on the temple site we even have a mosque worshiping a hateful god! The temple itself will never be built for animal sacrifices, as many believe.
In fact, building temples for Deities was a pagan practice that David incorporated into Israel; he desired to build a temple for God. God has left. But it was never His intention to have a temple. God does not dwell in temples made by human hands. God dwells in living stones.
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2: 5
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God which you are is holy. ”1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
The Temple of God is the Church. The text does not say "you are the temple of God," but you are the temple of God. Replacing the Temple of God which is the Church with a temple made by men is paganism.
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21: 22-27
“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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2: 46-47
Remember that the high priest sent Jesus to Pilate to be condemned, and it was the religious leaders who arrested Peter and John, stoned Stephen, and persecuted the Church of God.
In 2008, archaeologists uncovered what they believe to be the first Christian church ever built. It is located in a cave under St. George's Church in Rihab, northern Jordan - where early Christians are thought to have fled to escape persecution. Built in 230 AD, Saint Georgeous is believed to be the oldest "appropriate" church in the world. Archaeologists say they have evidence suggesting that the church housed some 70 disciples of Jesus Christ who fled Jerusalem during the persecution of Christians.
In an article in the Journal of Late Antiquity, the ancient historian Feyo Schuddeboom argues that the conversion of pagan temples into churches was “traditionally explained as a symbol of Christian triumph over pagan religions.” This is exactly what the Roman emperor did. Constantine, the founder of Christianity, took strength from the pagan temples and transformed them into Christian temples, placing Christian symbols on them and building statues of the saints of the past into their foundation. the Christian religion, rather, the term “Christianity” has nothing to do with the Bible or Jesus.
Emperor Constantine, always attentive to the advancement of religion, also erected the most beautiful temples “for God” everywhere, especially in the metropolises such as Nicomedia in Bithynia, Antioch in the Orontes River and Byzantium. He greatly improved this latter city and made it equal to Rome in power and participation in government; for when he had resolved the affairs of the empire according to his own mind, and rectified foreign affairs by wars and treaties, he decided to found a city that should be called by its own name, and should be equal in celebrity to Rome. (Forbes Magazine Fonts, Bible Hub)
But where did Jesus' early disciples gather?
Jesus clearly instructed his disciples to preach the Gospel from city to city, especially in their homes.
“Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 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.” Matthew 10: 11-13
“Suddenly a sound came from heaven, like a rushing wind, and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” Acts 2: 2
The Holy Spirit did not descend upon the disciples when they were gathered in the Jewish temple, which no longer had the manifest presence of God. The veil of the temple had been torn with the death of Jesus. The holy place and the holy of holies had been leveled to the atrium and the house of prayer had failed so that the Body of Christ, the Church would now become exclusively the House of God.
“… What is to be done in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stronghold of the truth.” 1Timothy 3:15
“You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;” “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,” ”Hebrews 12:18, 22-23
So where did Jesus' early disciples gather?
From house to house:
“Every day they persevered unanimously in the temple (Herod's, which was destroyed in AD 70), broke bread from house to house and ate their meals with joy and singleness of heart,” Acts 2:46
“And daily in the temple, and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach Jesus the Christ.” Acts 5:42
The disciples could not worship in this temple as a church, so much so that Peter and John were arrested because they healed a lame in one of its doors. (See Acts 3).
The Church, by the houses:
“But Saul laid waste the church, entering into the houses; and dragging men and women, he kept them in prison. ”Acts 8: 3
Cornelius’ House:
“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 ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Acts 10: 22
House of Mary, mother of John.
“Considering his situation, he resolved to go to the house of Mary, John's mother, known as Mark, where many people were gathered together and prayed.” Acts 12:12
Centurion's house.
“And they preached unto him the word of God, and to all that were in his house.” Acts 16:32
Lydia’s House.
“One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 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.” And she persuaded us” “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.” Acts 16: 14-15, 40
Tito Justo's House.
“Leaving there, he entered into the house of a man named Titus Justus, who was God-fearing; the house adjoined the synagogue. ”Acts 18: 7
Crispus’ House.
“But Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians also heard, believed, and were baptized. ”Acts 18: 8
From house to house.
“Never failing to announce anything profitable to you, and to teach you publicly and also from house to house,” Acts 20:20
Paul's House.
“For two years Paul remained in his own house, which he rented, where he received every one that sought him, preaching the kingdom of God, and with all boldness, without hindrance, taught things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28: 30-31
Priscila and Aquila’s House.
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, also greet the church that meets in their house. Greet my dear Epithet, the firstfruits of Asia to Christ. ”Romans 16: 3, 5
The brothers who gather in the houses.
“Greet Asyncrus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patobas, Hermas, and the brothers who meet with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas and all the saints who meet with them.” Romans 16: 14-15
“The churches of Asia greet you. In the Lord, Aquila and Priscilla greet you very much, as well as the church that is in their house.” 1Corinthians 16:19
“Greet the brothers of Laodicea, and Nymph, and the church which she houses in her house.” Colossians 4:15
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philemon 1: 1-3
PS:
“Peace and Grace; Pastor Josimar, I read the text and wondered how big was the house where about 120 people were sitting, those who received the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ”
It was an upper room inside a house. And in Jesus' time, there was no other temple in Jerusalem. Only the temple that was destroyed some 40 years after His crucifixion and resurrection.
I know Jerusalem. Today there are dozens of pagan and idolatrous temples within the city and on the temple site we even have a mosque worshiping a hateful god! The temple itself will never be built for animal sacrifices, as many believe.
In fact, building temples for Deities was a pagan practice that David incorporated into Israel; he desired to build a temple for God. God has left. But it was never His intention to have a temple. God does not dwell in temples made by human hands. God dwells in living stones.
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2: 5
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for the temple of God which you are is holy. ”1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
The Temple of God is the Church. The text does not say "you are the temple of God," but you are the temple of God. Replacing the Temple of God which is the Church with a temple made by men is paganism.
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21: 22-27
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