The Two Pillars on Which the Church Stands
Two Important Facets of Christianity in the House Church
The house church congregation is actually a house church community. They are not just “church” on Sunday. They are in church all week long.
Therefore, the congregation’s activities or experience are based on two pillars:
The gifts of the Spirit are manifested during gatherings, which represent the all-participating and functioning aspect of Christianity for the children of God, who serve as priests and kings in His kingdom.
The shared community lives outside the gatherings.
Simply being together once or twice a week when we gather is not enough. In house churches, we usually only gather once a week on a Sunday, but we also share our lives with each other throughout the week in our daily trade and walks.
Take a look at the following Scripture passages and compare them with what you experience in your congregation:
Romans 12:10—Be kind to one another with brotherly love; in honor, take the lead, one in showing others honor (Be kind to one another)
Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love; in honor, take the lead in showing honor to one another (Honor one another)
Romans 12:16 – Be of the same mind among yourselves; do not be conceited, but associate with the humble; do not be conceited (Be humble toward one another and be of the same mind)
Romans 13:8 – Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves another has fulfilled the law (Love one another)
Romans 14:19 – Let us therefore pursue the things which make for peace and for mutual edification (Have peace with one another)
Romans 14:19 – Let us therefore pursue the things which make for peace and for mutual edification (Build one another up)
Romans 15:7 – Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, to the glory of God (Accept one another)
Romans 15:14—But I myself am convinced about you, my brothers, that you yourselves also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Admonish one another)
Romans 16:16 – Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you (Be kind and hospitable to and toward one another)
1 Peter 1:22 – Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit to love one another sincerely, love one another fervently from a pure heart (Love one another)
1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, full of brotherly love, tenderhearted, kind (Be like-minded one toward another) (Have compassion for one another) (Have compassion for one another) (If one member weeps, weep with him; if one member rejoices, rejoice with him)
1 Peter 4:9—Be hospitable to one another without grumbling (Be hospitable to one another)
1 Peter 5:5 – Likewise, you younger men, be subject to your elders; and all of you, be clothed with humility toward one another, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Be humble toward one another) (Be subject to one another)
1 Thessalonians 4:9—But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that we write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another (Love one another)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing (Encourage one another)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing (Build one another up)
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone (Encourage one another to do what is right)
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone (Encourage one another to stand firm)
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone (Support one another so that you may stand firm)
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone (Be patient with one another)
1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (Visit one another and be concerned with one another)
1 John 3:11—For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another (Love one another in word and deed)
1 Corinthians 1:10—Now I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree in the same mind and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same judgment (Be of one mind with one another)
1 Corinthians 5:3-5 – For I, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already decided, as if I were present, to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are assembled, and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (Discipline one another)
1 Corinthians 6:1-6 – Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more the small matters? If, therefore, ye have matters to judge, let those which are least esteemed in the church sit. I speak this to your shame. Is there not one wise man among you that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But shall a brother go to law with another, and that before unbelievers? (Discipline one another) (Resolve problems yourselves in the church with one another)
1 Corinthians 11:33-34—Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another; and if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you do not come together for judgment. The rest I will set in order when I come (Wait for one another and consider one another)
1 Corinthians 12:25—so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another (Care for one another)
1 Corinthians 14:31 – For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged (Teach one another) (Encourage one another)
1 Corinthians 14:39-40—Therefore, brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order (Be eager to serve one another)
1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (Motivate one another to faithfully do the work of the Lord)
1 Corinthians 16:2-3 – On the first day of every week, each of you should put something aside and save it as he may prosper so that collections will not be made when I come. And when I arrive, those whom you approve, I will send by letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem (Take care of one another)
Galatians 5:13 – For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Serve one another)
Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Bear one another’s burdens)
Ephesians 4:2—with all humility and gentleness, with patience, forbearing one another in love (Bear with one another)
Ephesians 4:32—But be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you (Be kind to one another) (Have compassion on one another) (Forgive one another)
Ephesians 5:19 – Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Speak to one another in praise of the Lord)
Ephesians 5:20-21 – always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another in the fear of God (Be content with what you have in one another) (Be subject to one another)
Colossians 3:13 – Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; just as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (Bear with one another) (Forgive one another)
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to the Lord (Teach one another) (Admonish one another)
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to the Lord (Sing to one another)
Hebrews 3:13 – But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Exhort one another not to fall away into sin)
Hebrews 10:24—and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works (Consider one another and motivate one another to love and good works)
Hebrews 10:25—and let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, and so much the more as ye see the day drawing near (Motivate one another to be active and not to neglect the assembling of ourselves together)
James 5:16—Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Confess your sins to one another)
James 5:16—Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Pray for one another)
I hope you have read every passage of Scripture; otherwise, you will not realize its magnitude.
Look at what Acts 2:42, 44 and 46 say
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.
And all who believed were together and had everything in common.
And day by day, continuing with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart.
The “fellowship” we see in verse 42 is fellowship with one another. Children of God engage with one another throughout the week. They “fellowship,” they share each other’s burdens, they celebrate together, they laugh together, and they cry together.
If you read the above Scriptures carefully, you know these activities don’t happen on Sundays in the meetings.
They take place outside the meetings! God is a family God. Even in the Triune Godhead, the family exists. The Holy Spirit embodies typical characteristics of a mother, such as the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and the gentleness of a loving mother, alongside the Father and the Son.
Even in dreams and visions, the Holy Spirit is also personified with the mother of the person who dreams.
There must be interaction on all levels between the family members just as it exists in the Godhead, reflecting the mutual love, support, and guidance that each member provides to one another.
Therefore, the family of God cannot uphold the lifestyle that the institutional church easily promotes. In the institusional church, family life among children of God differs from that in a natural family. Christians only see or hear about problems and misery in the lives of others in passing. They live distant from their spiritual family and their problems, often failing to engage with one another’s struggles or provide support in times of need. Even when they hear about each other’s misery, it does not affect them so personally. The institutional church’s structure once again harms how members interact. The institutional church prioritizes other matters over promoting shared community life. Congregation members who are not encouraged or shown how to live the shared community life will find it difficult.
They are also never taught the value of it. Congregation members are satisfied with one or two gatherings per week where very little interaction takes place. Everyone’s backs are turned towards you and everyone’s attention is focused on one person and then it is one-way communication as well. This arrangement is, of course, very comfortable for many people, and they are satisfied with this state of affairs. Being passive and having no responsibilities works for many people. But they don’t know what they’re missing and are unaware that spiritual growth is based on community life. The lack of a healthy community life in the institutional church hinders spiritual growth but they are completely unaware of this.
Living in spiritual isolation is not how God made us. This way of living does not align with our spiritual DNA. We have the DNA of God in us. We are inherently like Him. But, the flesh is quite content with the state of affairs but not our spirit. The spirit recognizes that we are falling short of the standard and that there is a deficiency in our lives.
We do not realize it, but it is there. Deep down, we know something is wrong. The joy of truly godly family life is missing.
What is the naked truth regarding these pillars or foundations in the institutional church? The institutional church has rejected both pillars of church experience: first, the gifts of the Spirit and second, the shared community life of the church. The one promotes the all-participating and all-functioning way of life of the family of God. The other promotes the intimate loving relationship of the brothers in the family of God.
The same situation is experienced with regard to the Spiritual gifts. The institutional church’s view of the Spirit’s gifts and the family of God’s community is not what God intended.
No wonder there is so little spiritual growth in the institutional church. The congregation members have no responsibility and have become completely passive. Essentially, the only serious expectations that church leaders have for congregation members are to fund the institution or perform tasks that promote its advancement. This is precisely what the institution requires to survive and thrive. As a result, the institutional church primarily addresses the needs of the institution itself rather than the needs of the living organism that exists within it.
Obviously, the congregation suffers greatly because the support that each member should provide for the establishment and building up of the spiritual body does not really exist in the institutional church. Relationships lack depth and substance, which prevents their relationship with God from developing as He intends. Therefore, the true church of God, as an organism, is underdeveloped and broken. She is weak, and in a deplorable state. She is not at all the beautiful and mature bride of Christ.
The family for institutional churchgoers is only the biological family and blood family and not the true family of God. Very few people understand that the family of God represents a true family, while those who are unsaved and related by blood are no longer considered family.
Why not? Because there are two different species. The family of God is born of the Spirit, a new species, and the unsaved man is born of dust. One group consists of the descendants of the first Adam, while the other group consists of the descendants of the last Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:44-50
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. So it is written, the first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. The spiritual was not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As was the earthy man, so are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly man, so are those who are heavenly. And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. But this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption.
Yes, we are not of this world; we are sent or ambassadors from heaven. The unsaved people are of this world. They are born of the flesh (earthly). Therefore, we cannot have fellowship with the unsaved, and instead, we must have fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters.
This fellowship, as all the Scriptures clearly confirm, is not optional. It is a command from God. I am not saying by this statement that you should alienate yourself from your fleshly family. However, God’s command is that we should have fellowship with our spiritual family and accept each other as we are.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Greek, whether slave or free; and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not of the body, I do not belong to the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not of the eye, I do not belong to the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he pleased. If all were one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members but one body. And the eye cannot say to the eye, “I have no need of you,” or the head to the feet, I have no need of you. But much more, those members of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary, and those members of the body that we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and so our unpresentable members have greater honor, while our presentable members have no need. But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; and if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members.
From the above it is very clear that we have a tremendous responsibility towards our spiritual brothers and sisters.
This entire passage of Scripture emphasizes the importance of each member’s role. It is precisely these functions that support and build up the whole body. We cannot just live our own isolated lives and think that we and our congregation will be fine. The above Scripture clearly states that we must bear equal care for one another.
A wonderful consequence of this responsibility is the invaluable benefit that each of us receives in the process: We establish, encourage, and build each other up, and in the process, we are also established, encouraged, and built up.
We become more fulfilled as the image and revelation of Jesus grow in our lives. This activity is the exact opposite of the passivity of the congregation members in the institutional church. It is precisely that passivity that limits the revelation of Christ and severely hinders spiritual growth, as it prevents individuals from actively engaging in their faith and seeking a deeper understanding of spiritual teachings.
The church is also the body of Christ.
We have already read 1 Corinthians 12. The church is Christ’s body, and we all have equal roles in it. We all need each other. The focus for everyone is to function normally by carrying out exactly those activities that are specific to the member, such as serving, teaching, or providing support to one another.
The body has one head, and only the worthy head of the church can function. Jesus Christ is the head of the body, and all the saints are the body. The head controls the body. In the natural body, the brain is located in the head. Your brain does an impressive job; it controls every little movement and the functioning of your body. The head is the “control center” of the body. From your brain run “message wires” called nerves to every part of your body. Along these wires, your brain sends out commands and receives information, allowing for coordination of bodily functions and responses to external stimuli. In the same way, Jesus communicates directly with his body (the church) and we with him. We can say that the “spiritual message wires” are actually the workings of and communication by the Holy Spirit.
Leadership in the institutional church positioned itself between the head and the body about 1700 years ago. The Head must now, as it was in the days of Moses, communicate with his body through a few individuals. It sounds absurd, but that is precisely how it is. The body of Christ actually has a defect, something like an unnatural growth around the neck, which is not really part of the body. It is positioned between the head and the body. This growth is the hierarchical, positional leadership system of the institutional church, which creates a separation between the spiritual head, Christ, and the body of believers, undermining the unity intended in the church. It does not belong there and is not really part of the body.
Leadership in the New Testament is just a function. They are not clustered around the neck between the head and the body. They are found all over the body. They are fivefold ministers, but you encounter them mostly around the feet. Thery are servants. They are serving the congregations.
The fivefold ministers were either busy full-time or part-time with the work of God as the Holy Spirit assigned them. They preached the word of God (evangelizing) everywhere on the streets, in market squares and wherever they could and taught the people about the “way”. In the process, the apostles established congregations and visited them again from time to time. Outside the congregation, he was engaged in his duties, and when he visited a congregation, he interacted as an equal with all the other members.
The elders also functioned like any other member of the congregation. All on an equal footing. No one was officially appointed or ordained. Everyone just saw the different gifts and ministries functioning within each other without anyone being officially appointed. Your function in the body of Christ is actually a matter between you and the Head. Others see your role and thank God for it because it unites and supports the body.
The New Testament refers to people as apostles or evangelists, but this is just an acknowledgment of their function. If a person like Paul referred to himself as an apostle, it was simply a reference to his function. He could just as easily have referred to himself as a “Christian field worker.” However, this would have been a bit confusing because there were also evangelists, prophets, and teachers who were all also “Christian field workers.” Just ask a person who has been evangelistic for years but still holds no position in any church. If you ask him what he is, he will answer: “I am an evangelist,” referring to his function in the body of Christ.
The major negative complication of positional leadership in the church is of course the term “control”. One person “controls” other persons. However, in the church of God, only one person can be entrusted with such a thing, namely Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. He controls the church through the Holy Spirit, and yes, He controls the church only as He is allowed. He is not an autocrat or a tyrant. He is a God of love and He accommodates each congregation according to the “freedom” that He is allowed in that particular congregation. House church congregations are also treated under this same brush.
Jesus is like the coach of a rugby team. He teaches everyone in the team to successfully perform or fulfill their role or function.
When He sends them onto the field, everyone knows what to do and how to do it. They do not need a leader on the field. They can function without a captain. All strategies have already been extensively planted within them by the coach, Jesus, which allows the team to operate effectively and independently during the game. God does not want our functions to put us on a platform at all, as He emphasizes the importance of humility and equality among individuals in their roles and contributions. He says that such behavior should not be beneath us.
One should not be considered higher than the other. Respect your neighbor with just as much respect as the evangelist around the corner.
Matthew 23:8
But you, do not be called “Rabbi,” for one is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers.
Notice the words “and you are all brothers” Here Jesus is very clear about titles, and He says unequivocally that all are equal (brothers). There is only one teacher, Jesus himself. Do not make your function a position. Be humble.
The Practical House Church Manual was written by ASR Martins
