The Church in the Home

Now that we've defined our terms and know what the word ekklēsia means, it's time to look at the church of God in this administration of Grace. In the old testament, God lived among his people first in the tabernacle and later in the temple, but God no longer dwells in temples made with hands.

Acts 17:24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

It is clear in scripture that God did at one time live in temples made with hands, but it is also abundantly clear in scripture that God moved home on the day of Pentecost when the age of Grace was ushered in. Where is his home now? Where does God live now?

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

We need to take a second look at this. Here in Corinthians, these believers are referred to as the temple of God. We know that God dwelleth not in temples made with hands, so we can assuredly and categorically state that this temple referred to here is not any temple made with hands. This temple is most definitely and absolutely not any ecclesiastical structure, ministry, church, religion or organisation which has been built by men. The spirit of God no longer lives in temples made with hands, so no ministry, church, religion or organisation can claim to be the temple of God, the church of God, or the household of God.

When we are born again and receive the gift of holy spirit, God moves into us. That's right, God now lives inside you and me. God now lives in people, not in temples made with hands. This is quite something. Let's dig a bit more into this.

In old English language, the pronoun ye was a plural pronoun, referring to everyone in a group, while the pronoun thou was a singular pronoun referring to individuals within a group. Modern English no longer has this distinction, but it is there in the King James. Take Romans 10:9 for example, where thou is used.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved [sozo - made whole].

This is addressed to every person as an individual as this is something everyone has to make a decision to either accept or reject for themselves. If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be made whole with body, soul, and spirit, and at that moment God will move in and make his home with you. Being born again isn't something that we within the church of God as a whole group are responsible to do together, this is something we as individuals do to get into that group. That's why thou is used here. Now look at this example.

Romans 15:10,11
And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

Here the word Gentiles obviously refers to all Gentiles, everyone within that group, so ye is used addressing all of them together. Back to Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Here, a group of people are collectively called the temple of God. What group is this? Who are these people? Who is this addressed to? This is a good question, because it brings us to another extremely important key to the bible's interpretation. The bible interprets itself, yes, but we must apply keys to unlock that interpretation. We already know that we must understand the administrations in the bible so we can properly apply scripture written during each administration, as well as a few other keys, but we must also know to whom certain books of the bible are addressed. Not everything in the bible is addressed to everyone. If you read the bible thinking it is all addressed to you, major problems in understanding await to assail you. For example, take these verses in Romans.

Romans 8:38,39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature [creation], shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 11:22
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

According to Romans 8, nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our lord, not even death, yet three chapters later Romans states that if I'm not careful I'm going to be cut off. Most waggle their fingers at this and call the bible contradictory, but in reality all they do is publicly display their ignorance. 

Men have different classifications for men and divide humanity into many groups, like nationality and culture, race and religion, but God only divides men into three general categories. Let's examine them.

1 Corinthians 10:32
Give none offence, neither to the Jews [Judeans], nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Here Corinthians succinctly places all men into just three categories. According to God, every single human being on the planet is either a Judean, a Gentile, or part of the church of God. That's it. That is God's classification of men. Either we are Judeans, Gentiles, or church of God. According to Ephesians, the church of God is made up of both Judeans and Gentiles who have received the gift of holy spirit. This definition clearly and unquestionably exposes any ministry or group or religion that claims to be the church of God as liars. The church of God, by definition, comprises men and women called out from both Judeans and Gentiles who have been born again and who have received power from on high, the gift of holy spirit. Anyone who has Christ in them is part of the church of God, the ekklēsia, the called out of God. And I don't care what the Way International or the vatican claim to the contrary. By definition and by scripture, ecclesiastical and religious structures built by men which claim to be the church of God are liars. God dwelleth not in temples made with hands.

Okay, so if God classifies all men as either Judean, Gentile, or church of God, does it follow then that everything in the bible is addressed to either Judeans, Gentiles, or to the church of God? Yes, it does. Everything in the bible is addressed to either Judeans, Gentiles, or to the church of God, and to make it easy for us, all scripture in the bible is clearly addressed so there can be no mistakes. For example, who is the book of Isaiah addressed to? It tells us in the very first verse of chapter 1.

Isaiah 1:1
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

The revelation of Isaiah was written and addressed specifically to Judeans. There is no guesswork in this. The bible is of no private interpretation. So is Isaiah addressed to the church of God? No, it is not, it is addressed to Judeans who lived during the Law Administration. So when you read all the nasty prophetic stuff Isaiah confronted the Judeans with back in the Law Administration, you can relax because it doesn't apply to you personally in this Age of Grace. The same goes with everything in the old testament. Nothing in the old testament, including the so-called gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is addressed to the church of God. Not one iota, not one jot or tittle.

Does this mean then that we can simply ignore the old testament? No, of course not. Without the old testament, nothing in Paul's epistles would make much sense. Without the understanding of what the temple was and how it related to God's people during the Law administration, the church of God being called the temple of God in this administration would mean nothing to us. The more we understand the old testament, the more we will understand the new. Romans tells us just that.

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

The whatsoever things written aforetime refers to the scriptures of the old testament, which are not addressed specifically to the church of God. I like to think of this in terms of an electricity bill a neighbour just received through the post. Could I learn anything from that bill? Yes, I could see how much units of electricity cost and check my own usage and budget accordingly. Would that be profitable? Oh yes, having the money put aside to pay your bills before they actually arrive is living the more abundant life. If my budget didn't match my electricity usage, I would be heading for financial problems. So if I could sit down, study my neighbour's bill and work out my own electricity usage, I could then budget properly to ensure my electricity bill would be covered when it arrived. I could learn tremendous stuff from that bill addressed to my neighbour. But would I take my neighbour's bill to the electricity shop or to the Post Office to pay it? No, that would be ridiculous. The bill isn't addressed to me so I don't have to pay it, he does. Although we can learn much from the old testament, we do not have to live under Patriarchal or Law systems of authority and governance.

I'll save you some time here. The books of the bible specifically addressed to the church of God in the Age of Grace are Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Timothy, Titus and Philemon are addressed to leadership, home church leaders and their assistants within the church of God. You can't go wrong here, because each epistle from Romans through Thessalonians has to whom it is addressed clearly marked.

Romans 1:1,7
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:1,2
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:1,2
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Colossians 1:1,2
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

The saints, the beloved of God, and the faithful in Christ Jesus all refer to those in the church of God. So, which books of the bible are addressed to those of us in the Age of Grace who are born again and have the seed of Christ in us? Romans through Thessalonians. These are the books specifically addressed to us today which contain specific doctrine which God expects us to apply and live. So am I expected to keep all the old testament laws, like circumcision, or live under a patriarchal system? No, those scriptures are not addressed to me. God even tells his church to avoid being entangled with the old testament law, which he refers to as a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1-4
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace.

Being entangled in law or even in a patriarchal religious ministry made with hands is something God commands us to avoid. Again, just to further clarify the point that God does not dwell in temples made with hands, these books, Romans through Thessalonians, are addressed to the church of God, not any ministry or religious organisation. In other words, anyone in any country in any part of the world, regardless of affiliations with any group or religious organisation can apply the truths of Romans through Thessalonians and immediately enjoy the benefits. Anyone anywhere on the planet, for example, can speak in tongues and learn to walk by the spirit right now. No, you don't have to join the Way International and take their stupid classes, join the Roman Catholics and become a homo priest, or join the Muslims and blow your guts out all over infidels, all you have to do is read the bible and apply the principles addressed specifically to you. This is something anyone can do anywhere in the world at any time. If you can learn to read the bible and allow it to interpret itself, you can learn to walk by the spirit and be an effective minister without joining anyone or anything. Joining religious groups is not something God commands us to do in this administration, it is something he commands us to avoid.

So what about those apparently contradictory verses in Romans? Let's look at them again and see if we can make them fit now. 

Romans 8:38,39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 11:22
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

We know Romans is addressed to the beloved of God, the saints, which is us. If you follow the context of Romans, you will find that the truths of Romans 8 are addressed to the beloved of God, the saints, those of us who have the gift of holy spirit and are part of the church of God. However, in chapter 9 there is a change of address.

Romans 9:3,4
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Who is Paul addressing here? He's talking specifically to his kinsmen according to the flesh, the Judeans. He is talking to the Israelites to whom pertained the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, the service and the promises. There has been a change of address. This is remarkable to see and understand, because the revelation on how to get born again, how to be made whole, how to receive the gift of holy spirit and become a saint in the church of God is given in a section of scripture within Romans that isn't specifically addressed to the church of God.

Romans 10:1
Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved [sozō - made whole].

Think about that. Why would God have to tell you how to get born again if you're already born again? He wouldn't, would he? Romans 10 is addressed to those who are not born again, showing them how to get born again. Although Romans was initially addressed to the church of God, the beloved of God, the saints, there is a change of address in chapter 9. There is another change of address in chapter 11.

Romans 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Who is Paul addressing here? The church of God? No, the Gentiles. Look, this isn't difficult. The bible is easy to read and understand. You just need to know a few simple keys to unlock its interpretation for yourself, and this is one of them. So the apparently contradictory verse we read earlier from Romans 11 is addressed to the Gentiles, not the church of God.

Romans 11:22
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Yes, Gentiles had better watch out because if they don't get born again, they're going to die without spirit which will permanently cut them off from God. However, everyone in the church of God has that spirit and, therefore, cannot be separated from the love of God. Not even death can separate us from the love of God because we have eternal life. The Gentiles and the Judeans do not. If they do what it says in Romans 10:9, they will receive holy spirit and immediately become part of the church of God and these truths in Romans 8 will then apply to them.

Romans 8:38,39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The bible does not contradict itself. It fits from Genesis to Revelation with a mathematical exactness and scientific precision that is breathtaking. You cannot break God's word. Back to Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Here, the church of God comprising those who are born again and have the gift of holy spirit is referred to as the temple of God. Elsewhere in the epistles, individuals are occasionally referred to as tabernacles.

2 Corinthians 5:4
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

Now, stay with me here, because this is important. We know that the Greek word ekklēsia is only ever used in the bible in reference to a called out group of people, and that it cannot be applied to any man-made religious ministry or organisation such as the Roman Catholic church or the Way International. This is beyond dispute. So what is the temple of God? Well, it certainly isn't the Roman Catholic church or the Way International. It most certainly isn't the Jehovah's witnesses who don't understand the bible. It isn't the Presbyterians. It isn't the Baptists. It isn't the Lutherans. It isn't the Mormons. It isn't the Muslims. It isn't the Buddhists. It isn't the Free church, whatever that's supposed to mean. It isn't the Anglican church, the Hindus, or the Church of Scotland. It isn't any of them, because they are all temples made with hands. The temple of God comprises those who are born again, those who have the gift of holy spirit, those with Christ in them, called out from among both Judeans and Gentiles. If someone who is a Roman Catholic has the gift of holy spirit, or someone who is a follower of the Way International has holy spirit, or someone who is a Muslim gets born again, they are part of the church of God and therefore part of the temple of God, but the man-made religious temples they waste their lives attending are not.

Today you don't need any ministry running your life for you, just start a church in your home. Read your bible, speak in tongues much and learn to walk by the spirit with Christ as your head. Don't be afraid, for you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. That strength doesn't come by following a board of directors, a council of men, or a pope, it comes from the Christ in you.

Yes, I know it's hard to leave a church, something you've been brought up in all your life, but just because you were born a Muslim, or a catholic, or a follower of the Way International doesn't mean you are where God wants you to be. They all say they're right, but the bible says God doesn't dwell in any of them. Leaving a church, ministry, or religion you've given much of your life to is difficult. I know that from experience. It can leave you feeling guilty, as if you've walked away from God. You can feel as if God no longer loves you or cares for you, or that you've walked away from his protection. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you walk away from a man-made temple and their patriarchal systems, you're not walking away from God, you're escaping from a religious dungeon.

God now lives in each of us. We all have the spirit of God living within us, and together we make up the church of God, the ekklēsia of God. The church is not to construct any more temples made with hands, it is to meet in people's homes. In this administration of Grace, God wants his people meeting in home churches, well away from temples made with hands. This is made remarkably clear in Romans through Thessalonians, the scriptures addressed to the church of God.

Romans 16:5
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1 Corinthians 16:19
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Colossians 4:15
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Philemon 1:2
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost [pistis - holy spirit], were multiplied.

Acts 15:41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

God wants to hang out with us, fellowship with us, enjoy our company with us in our homes. The centre of outreach in the 1st Century was not some centralised ministry headquarters where everyone sent all their money to support a patriarchal hierarchy, it was in folk's homes. God lives in us, we are his church making up the temple of God, and he wants us to teach and minister in our homes well away from suffocating patriarchal temples of men. Get away from them for they do not walk by the spirit, but by worldly senses wisdom they seek through councils of men. Find a home church where people speak in tongues, walk by the spirit, and operate the power of God.

If there isn't one, start one. It isn't difficult. You and your family can get together two or three times a week, read a section of God's word, perhaps read a chapter from this class together, pray together, and learn to speak in tongues together. That's a basic start for a home church. That's where God wants to be, in your home with you, enjoying your fellowship. For the word to live it has to be moved out of temples made with hands and into people's homes, into home churches free from the restraints and control of central governing bodies of men.

Chapter 46 - Self Governing