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“REMEMBER: the Bible Never Mentions A Building Called “Church”
Jesus never commanded anyone to build a building. He taught a Kingdom not a building
The Gospel biographies are filled with evocative, vivid parables, all about the Kingdom of God not about a building.
Just think about what was God’s response when Peter said “Lord, if you wish I will build three tents.” Did the Lord wish or will that? The text is quite clear He did NOT
Instead Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – This is sufficient
And in Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Instead your church building is on wheals and on the road to the end of the worlds you simply cannot fulfill that [PERIOD]
It continues in ACTS
Please NOTE: The church in Jerusalem grew to 5000 men alone (Acts 4:4) without owning property or a building. How in the world did they do that? Was building a church building NOT essential for church growth? What about church sign, clean bathrooms and so on details we are told today by church gurus are the foundations for church growth?
The BIBLE answers in Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. The Bible tells us that the first Christians in Jerusalem assembled in the temple courts. Acts 2:46 describes them as—“continuing daily with one accord in the temple” (NKJV). This would not refer to the temple itself, where only priests could enter, but the courts and colonnades which surrounded it.
BUT WAIT In Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. – – – God actually on purpose scattered the gathered church so they can fulfill the Great Commission
In the Pastoral epistles referred prior as a counter argument. In all essence apart from believer’s homes Paul never mentions building a church building or gathering in one at that matter
the church in Rome he told them was in the home of Aquila and Priscilla (Rom 16:3), adding later, “greet the church that is in their house” (Rom 16:5)
the churches of Asia greet you operated in the same similar way like Aquila and Priscilla (I Corinthians 16:19).
Same with the Colossians and Laodicea (which inducts all 7 churches of Revelation operating in the same manner): “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house” (Colossians 4:15).
Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus, a family in Colosse, hosted the church in their home (Philemon 2).
In Ephesus, Paul met with the brethren in what was called “the school of Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9). Perhaps not even a building but courtyard or some other type of place normally used for schooling.
So let’s stop for a minute and ponder upon this question: Where does the New Testament ever mentions / commands or admonishes the believers to build a Building Called “Church”?
ANSWER: NO WHERE! Not even in Heaven there is a temple. For the Lamb is the temple in Heaven thereafter…
Michael Green
Ok where do alot of Christians gather to fellowship than?
Varnel Watson
where DO or where DID in actual Biblical times?
Winston Ramdath
The early Christians did not have places to worship so they gathered in homes. This however was not a precedent. It was only because the church was being formed. As people increased I am sure they had to find adequate space to meet. So while Jesus didn’t actually say go build a building. However we must assume that the people (church) would eventually figure out they needed a permanent to place to meet. The building that housed the people eventually was called a church because of who occupied it. So there is no argument here.
Nicole Traviss-Mackenzie
Your right plus in the apostles (Jesus) time it was illegal to think any other way but the way the chief priest/ Pharisees told you to think so they had to be in smaller groups. But when Jesus was “preaching” masses of people would congregate together the only difference there was no walls around them on the side of a mountain or a hill etc… church is suppose to be the “house” of God.
Varnel Watson
Where did 5000 saved on Pentecost meet?
Which of the 7 churches in Revelation do you feel owned its own building?
What building did the persecuted church use up to its institutionalization in 310 AD?
Johnny Martin
no JESUS he did not command christians to build churches, for one thing early christians were persecuted by the romans, and others, they met in groups in homes, secret places. ” Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. the true church was not a building, peter was not the first pope , reread ver’s 13-16 slowly , let it sink in , read the 16th verse again, it was , the true church, was not brick or stone ,it was built on,” faith”, faith that JESUS , was the son GOD , VERS 18 , UPON THIS ROCK, ‘FAITH , I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH. FAITH, TRUE CHURCH IS EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER, THE CHURCH , THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.” The Coming of the Lord
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. ” 1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”, “JESUS DWELLS IN US, “,”Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” . YES LATER THERE WERE , GROUPS THAT MET TOGETHER , AND THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT THE CHURCHES, OR GROUPS OF EARLY CHRISTIANS, AND OVER THE YEARS MANY BRANCHES OR GROUPS ROSE UP, TO WHAT WE SE TODAY , BUT THE TRUE CHURCH IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE BE EACH PERSON, AND THEIR FAITH IN JESUS THE SON OGF GOD .
Varnel Watson
THE TRUE CHURCH IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE PERSECUTED
Crissy Ramirez
Interesting question
Louise Cummings
I don’t remember Him mentioning a building. I going to look. I know there was seven Churches in Asia. The Lord told John to send or Carrie all seven of them a message. I don’t know what they were built with. Paul wrote letters to ever one of the churches. We read his letters he wrote in several books in the Bible. Jesus said Himself that He was coming for a Church without spot or wrinkle. I went on google while we were on vacation. I ask could they show me some pictures of Jerusalem as much of Israel they could show. To my surprise. They showed things you probably never would see when just visiting. They was show where James pastored. Or The was pretty sure that was the location. And what his church would look like in those days.It looked like it was oblong. With poles at each corner. And top. It looked like net , you could get air through. But to me it wa amazing.
Louise Cummings
The top was probably like a tent , if I can remember correctly. I thing the bottom was sand. But it was still a Church. I think they said James pastored. Of course it has come a long way since then.
Varnel Watson
what about building the Heavenly Jerusalem ?
Alan Smith
Except the Lord build the house, those who build labor in vain;
Psalms 127:1a MEV
Scotty Searan
Jesus did not command us to build a building.
Jesus did say upon this rock I will build my .
Jesus Christ also reverence the places of worship such as the Temple and Synagogues
But the word CHURCH does not appear till the New Testament.
Remember when the Church first started, they were still going to the Temple to Pray.
They were also meeting in house praying, teaching, fellowshipping and breaking bread.
1. Some believes that breaking bread was a meal in remembrance of the Lord’s Supper .
2. Others believer it was just a simple breaking of a loaf of unleavened bread and a cup of wine to represent The Lord’s Supper
3. Others believe it was just a regular meal of fellowshipping.
Either one of these could be correct.
I tend to go with #1 because of How I Corinthians 11:17-34 KJV
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
THis shows that the people were coming together in a place outside of their homes.
Now if they were meeting in individual peoples houses here’s a few interesting scriptures.
I Corinthians %:9-13 KJV
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Matthew 18:15-18 KJV
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
2 Thessalonians 3:13-16 (KJV)
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
With them meeting in people’s houses. This would have created a gigantice problem
We have used the phrase church House. Could this have been included in going from House To House?
Louise Cummings
Great Scriptures I.
Varnel Watson
Ephesians 2:22, ESV: “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Varnel Watson
mmmmm NO Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Isara Mo
Beautiful question
Jeremiah Würz
According to John, no book could contain all that Jesus said and did.
William DeArteaga
No. nor did he command the use of smart phones.
Varnel Watson
or drive cars … Jeremiah Würz
Peter Walters
No
William DeArteaga
But note that Jesus very often preached at synagogues, impying that buildings dedicated to doing spiritual stuff can be good, or at least OK.
Cleston Walton
No- regardless of location Spirit born- Truth nature living and worship – as sons and daughters of God.
Steve Losee
or set things up like a theater so most ppl are audience and don’t function.
Louise Cummings
I can’t remember where he commanded them to build a Church. But He did ask the disciples. Who do men say that I am. So say John the Baptist has come alive. Som would say or one of the Prophets. Then He said. But whine do you say I Am. Perry said quickly. Thou are The Christ. The Son of The Living God. Jesus said Thou are Peter and said. Flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you. But My Father. He said Thou art Peter. And Upon This Rock , I Will Build My Church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peter wasn’t the rock. But a piece of the Rock. Jesus allowed the Disciples to build Churches almost every where they went. Paul wrote to almost all the Churches.
Louise Cummings
So I believe Churches is Biblical.
Varnel Watson
build ME a Church ? or I shall build My Church
William Sterling
I don’t see this as an either / or answer. The point I would like to “clearly” make is that sharing your faith with unbelievers is what Jesus intended. If a building can ASSIST in that, then fine.
Jesus sometimes used existing synagogues as places for his public expression, as Jesus was, himself, a Jew. Most times, he didn’t. But today, the shift has gone from; a) believers sharing their faith to; b) believers having a church building and calling their assemblies “worship services.” Do you see the distinction between the intents of each?