Here are some verses showing that the early “church/ekklesia” met in their
homes and not in organized churches as some do today.
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and
haling men and women committed them to prison. 1 Acts 8:3
Saul knew where to go to find the early believers. They were attending the
“church” (assembly) in the houses.
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved
Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 2 Romans 16:5
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the
Lord, with the church that is in their house. 3 1 Corinthians 16:19
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church
which is in his house. 4 Colossians 4:15
and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the
church in thy house: 5 Philemon 2
See Acts chapter 2, which we know as the “Day of Pentecost” or the day the
early believers were filled with the Holy Ghost.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Ac 8:3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
1
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Ro 16:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
2
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (1 Co 16:19). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
3
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Col 4:15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
4
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Phm 2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
5
rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon
each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 6 Acts 2:1-4
Did you notice that they were in a “house” on the Day of Pentecost and not
the Temple or the synagogue? If the church today is really following the
New Testament teachings, why don’t they meet in homes, as did the early
believers whom they claim to follow?
The early believers had left the synagogue, which was a Babylonian custom
that the Israelite captives brought back with them. The origin of the
synagogue was about the time the captives returned to Jerusalem. Here is
what YAHUSHAWAH said about the synagogues.
And YAHUSHAWAH went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching
the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease
among the people.7 Matthew 4:23
They were sick in the synagogues as well because they had forsaken YAHUWAH and
HIS Law.
Then YAHUSHAWAH went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every
disease among the people.8 Matthew 9:35
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their
synagogues. 9 Matthew 10:17
Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue.10 Matthew 12:9
And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue,
insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Ac 2:1–4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
6
7
The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 4:23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
8
The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 9:35). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
9
The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 10:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
10
The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 12:9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
these mighty works? 11 Matthew 13:54
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 12
Mark 1:23
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 13 Mark
1:39
As you can see, YAHUSHAWAH referred to the synagogues as “their synagogues” not
HIS synagogues.
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 14 Luke 4:15
The Greek word “ekklesia” # 1577 which is translated “church” and the
Greek word “sunagoge” # 4864 both mean “congregation or assembly.
Here is the entry from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary.
CONGREGATION
1. ekklesia (ἐκκλησία, 1577) is translated “congregation” in Heb. 2:12,
RV, instead of the usual rendering “church.” See ASSEMBLY.
2. sunagoge (συναγωγή, 4864) is translated “congregation” in Acts
13:43, KJV (RV, “synagogue). See SYNAGOGUE. 15
HE was referring to “their synagogues,” HE was letting us know that “their
synagogues” were not HIS synagogues. The Greek word # 1577 translated
“church” is the same word used for the “church” in their homes. We have
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Mt 13:54). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
11
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Mk 1:23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
12
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Mk 1:39). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
13
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Lk 4:15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
14
Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vol. 2: Vine’s Complete Expository
Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (122). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.
15
two choices, “their synagogues” or HIS “ekklesia/church which met in their
homes. The practice of meeting in large organized buildings is a custom or
tradition of man.
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied
fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
16
Hosea 8:14
See "temple" # 1964 "heykal" is a palace ( a large public building) ,
temple * a building for religious practice), nave (main part of the
interior of a church) , sanctuary (the most sacred part of a religious
building)
"temple" according to Webster which is a building for "religious
practice."
temple noun
synonyms house of worship, church, house of God, house of prayer, tabernacle
Merriam-Webster, I. (1996). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate thesaurus.
Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.
Synonyms for "temple" are. This is from the Merriam Webster IPAD
Thesaurus
temple
noun
a building for public worship and especially Christian worship
Synonyms kirk [chiefly Scottish], tabernacle, church
Related Words abbey, bethel, cathedral, chapel, minster, mission, oratory,
sanctuary, shrine; meetinghouse; mosque, pagoda, shul (which is a
synagogue), synagogue
My people, go ye out of the midst of her,
And deliver ye every man his soul
From the fierce anger of YAHUWAH. 17 Jeremiah 51:45
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 1995 (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611
Authorized Version.) (Ho 8:14). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
16
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people,
That ye be not partakers of her sins, And that ye receive not of her plagues.
18
Revelation 18:4
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Je 51:45). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc
17
The Holy Bible: King James Version. 2009 (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized
Version.) (Re 18:4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
18