The Meeting House

The Need For Authority Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Establishing Authority Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;… John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Establishing Authority John 16:13-14 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,…

Establishing Authority The Lord’s Supper Command - To partake Mark 14:22-25, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Inference – Frequency 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:7 Example – When Acts 20:7

Specific vs. Generic Authority Genesis 6: And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.

Specific vs. Generic Authority Mark 16: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Christians must assemble. Command - Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Command - Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Example – Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Example – Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Inference – James 2:2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, Inference – James 2:2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,

Christians must assemble. In order to accomplish what we are commanded to do, there must be a place to meet.

The Church In The First Century Jerusalem saints assembled at Solomon’s Portico (Acts 3:11; 5:12). Jerusalem saints assembled at Solomon’s Portico (Acts 3:11; 5:12). Paul and the Ephesian disciples met at the school building of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). Paul and the Ephesian disciples met at the school building of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). Troas disciples met on the third floor of some house (Acts 20:8, 9). Troas disciples met on the third floor of some house (Acts 20:8, 9). Others met in the houses of the members (Romans 16:3-5, 23). Others met in the houses of the members (Romans 16:3-5, 23).

Where may we meet? We have generic authority to gather, therefore we have options. We have generic authority to gather, therefore we have options. The meeting place is an expedient to carrying out the Lord’s command to assemble. The meeting place is an expedient to carrying out the Lord’s command to assemble. Rent Rent Build Build House House Outdoors Outdoors

The use of the building The purpose of the building is to expedite the fulfillment of the command to assemble. The purpose of the building is to expedite the fulfillment of the command to assemble. Therefore, the purpose of the assembly governs the use of the meeting house. Therefore, the purpose of the assembly governs the use of the meeting house. The purpose of the assembly also governs the type of building to be built. The purpose of the assembly also governs the type of building to be built.

What was the purpose of the assembly? To break bread Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, … Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, … 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

What was the purpose of the assembly? To teach and be taught Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. 1 Corinthians 14:26, How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:26, How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

What was the purpose of the assembly? To Pray Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding… 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding…

What was the purpose of the assembly? To Sing Ephesians 5:19-20 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:19-20 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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 grace in your hearts to the Lord. 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 grace in your hearts to the Lord.

What was the purpose of the assembly? To lay by in store 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Other things mentioned taking place in the assembly 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Acts 14:27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 15:4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

The Meeting House Authorized uses: Worshiping God Worshiping God Teaching the word of God Teaching the word of God Edifying saints Edifying saints Administering discipline Administering discipline

The Meeting House Unauthorized uses 2 Chronicles 33:7 He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; 2 Chronicles 33:7 He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My name forever; 2 Chronicles 36:14 Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:14 Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

The Meeting House Unauthorized uses Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight,” says the LORD. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it. Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight,” says the LORD. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it. Ezekiel 44:7 When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it—My house—and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. Ezekiel 44:7 When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it—My house—and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations.

The Meeting House Unauthorized uses Zephaniah 3:4 Zephaniah 3:4 Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, They have done violence to the law Matthew 21:12-13 Then Jesus went into the temple of God[ and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” Matthew 21:12-13 Then Jesus went into the temple of God[ and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

The Meeting House Unauthorized uses Assemblies to promote politicians and political parties Assemblies to promote politicians and political parties Assemblies to promote youth programs Assemblies to promote youth programs Secular education Secular education Day care centers Day care centers Youth parties Youth parties Concerts Concerts

The Meeting House Unauthorized buildings Gyms Gyms Fellowship halls Fellowship halls Kitchens Kitchens Bowling alleys Bowling alleys Coffee houses Coffee houses

Conclusion We must have authority – Colossians 3:17 We have authority for a meeting house – Hebrews 10:25 We must not go beyond the authority we have been given - Romans 14:23, Romans 10:17