Church!? Part Two:

What words are used in the Bible to describe the Church? There are words which show ownership. There are terms which show who make up the church. And there are locations given which show where these believers lived and assembled together. We already know that the word translated ‘Church’ means an assembly, a collection or group of people who are called out for the purpose of gathering. When used in the plural, “Churches”, we get the idea of individual assemblies, or what we call today as Congregations, an English term which seems to have come from a Latin word meaning an assembly. There were churches in regions such as Italy, Asia, Galatia, Macedonia, and Judaea. There were congregations in many towns and cities such as, Rome, Corinth, the port town of Cenchrea, the 7 towns of Asia spoken of in Revelation, Hierapolis, as well as others. I’m convinced that, typically, these congregations would meet in people’s homes. Perhaps, larger towns had several homes which accommodated those who came to worship together. For instance, there was a woman mentioned by the name of Nympha, who lived in Laodicea. She opened her home up to being a house church. Prisca and Aquila had a house church, apparently in Rome. So, focusing on these locations we discover that the Church grew rather quickly in the first century. Congregations of like believers were popping up all over the Roman Empire and perhaps beyond. What is the point? These congregations could not have grown without individuals willing to share their faith in JESUS. Those who heard the message and responded in faith would, in turn, share with others as well. It became a sort of chain reaction that I am sure was fueled by the excitement and joy of knowing the LORD’S salvation. I’m also sure they shared, both by words and the actions of a changed life. I know that we do not see very many conversions in our little fellowship. This can be discouraging. But we should not give up. Let’s keep serving in kindness. Let’s keep smiling, showing joy and living our faith before others. And let’s keep inviting and let the LORD do HIS will.

Russell Ashby