[ktupper]

Define "house church." If it is truly akin to the first-century Christians, whose "house church" ceremonies were quite elaborate and included the Lord's Supper, fasting beforehand, scripture, and a homily/sermon, led by an ordained pastor/presbyter, I'm impressed. What ever gave you the idea of early Christians having ceremonies, ordained pastors, sermons, etc.? Luther and company reformed much of the doctrine, but certainly didn't reform the practice of the church. What happened to the priesthood of all believers? We've gone from one pope to many popes (senior pastors). The self chosen few to lead the people. The Lord said, I myself will shepherd my people. We have one Father, and one mediator.

[DocJ69]

As a Pastor, the "House Church" is basically, a "small Groups" "Growth Group", Bible Study Group". My church is small but we have growth groups, ie. That would comprize of about 50% of Church attenders.

[Notwithstanding]

Where did you discover exactly what the early members of the Church did and did not do?

Is that info all in the Bible?

If it is not in the Bible but from elsewhere, then why would you deviate from simply ticking to what's in the Bible?

If it is because historians have told us what their traditions were, then do you think it is important to follow tradition?

[dangus]

>> What ever gave you the idea of early Christians having ceremonies, ordained pastors, sermons, etc.? <<

The Lord's Supper is described in the bible. It is a ceremony. Those who led it were "presbyters" (presiders), who were appointed by "episcopi" (bishops), who were, in turn, appointed by the apostles.

The first-century work, "The Teaching of the Twelve," also simply known as "The Didache" (which is Greek for Twelve, and is pronounced DID-uh-kee) describes in considerable detail the conduct of house church meetings. There is no record of any church father criticizing the work by name. It was probably left out of the bible only because it was for ecclesiastic administration by pastors, not public worship. It's only conflict with the bible is that it cautions not to pay prophets, whereas Paul says to do so, but this conflict is likely referring to a different circumstance than Paul meant; Paul referred to ordained, traveling preachers raising funds for other communities, whereas the Didache seems to be referring to unordained members of the local community.

Incidentally, the Didache contains the Lord's prayer, followed by (or including) the prayer, "For Thine is the power and the glory," nine centuries before this was included in any publication of the bible.