1 Cor.11:19– “for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.”2 Pet.2:1– “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”1 Jn.4:1– “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

These “House Churches” have sprung up in a number of places including:

Tampa, FL – Christians in TampaHouston, TXNashville, TN – Ethos ChurchFlorence, KY

Bowling Green, KY – Church at Bowling Green (CABG)Birmingham, AL – Church at Birmingham (CAB)

In a nutshell, what do these groups believe?• Drop the name “Church of Christ”• House churches are the pattern• The assemblies are for mutual edification• The Lord’s Supper is to be eaten as a part of a full meal• Stress social relationships over doctrinal soundness• Seek a casual atmosphere in dress and conduct• Assemblies are to be interactive, participatory, open• Promote mutual edification (no preacher)• No elders• No weekly contribution• Women given an expanded role• Benevolent activities in the community

Why are so many joining this movement?• Some seem to be reacting to what they think is a

traditional mindset among brethren today• Some love “to tell or to hear some new thing” and they

crave the attention that comes with it• Some have become frustrated by the lack of conversions• Some have sought to come up with new ways to create

passion among brethren• Weak preaching• The influence of various authors

Radical Restoration means ...

Meeting in Private Homes

“Maybe that’s where it all went wrong in the first place. Maybe the church should never have left home” – page 143

“There seems to be little question but that first-century Christians met together in small groups as house churches” – page 148

“The house church... was also a natural setting for edification and exhortation” – page 150

“Historically, of course, we know that it was not until the third century that Christians began to erect what we today would recognize as church buildings. Piecing together archeology and history, it appears the primitive church typically met in a room (sufficiently large enough for probably 40-50 people) in the house of a wealthy member” – page 148

Acts 20:20– “how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,”

1 Cor.16:19– “The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

Rom.16:3-5– “3 Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles: 5 and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first-fruits of Asia unto Christ.”

Col.4:15– “Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.”

Phile.1,2– “1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved and fellow-worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:”

The early church met in other places too:In the temple – Acts 2:46

By a river side – Acts 16:13

School of Tyrannus – Acts 19:9

An upper room – Acts 20:7,8

Rented quarters – Acts 28:30,31

Synagogue-type place – Jas.2:2

Unknown, but apparently NOT a house – 1 Cor.11:22,34

It is a matter of expediency – cf.Heb.10:25

Jer.6:16– “Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.”

Prov.22:28– “Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.”