Biblical Churches

For centuries Christian congregations have focused much resources, (Christian man-hours in its various forms), upon church buildings.  But the New Testament never mentions the need for church buildings.  (It does not say that church buildings are wrong, either. It just neglects to mention them.)  Its as if church buildings were not on the list of New Testament priorities.  The New Testament does, however, describe Christians as meeting in their personal homes or in public places, (such as open fields, beach, or the temple courtyard – akin to a town square).

[collapsed title=IN PRIVATE HOMES]

Acts 2:44-3:2
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. … NIV

Acts 28:30-31
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

Romans 16:3-5
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. NIV

1 Corinthians 16:19
Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. NIV

Colossians 4:15
Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. NIV

Philemon 1-3
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV
[/collapse]

[collapsed title=IN PUBLIC MEETING PLACES]

Acts 1:15 and Acts 2:1-4, 14-16
1:15  In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty). ... 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house [possibly "Temple"] where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. … 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel …"  NIV

Acts 2:44-3:2
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon.
NIVA

Acts 19:1-10
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."  3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"  "John's baptism," they replied.  4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.  8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
NIV
[/collapse]