Let's Go Back to the Bible

When the present distress passes

It’s interesting how some folks try to use certain information in the Bible to prove a point that is not actually parallel. For example, during these times of quarantine, some have tried to justify worshiping from home by stating that the early church didn’t worship in church buildings but in homes. While the early church did worship in homes (Rom. 16:5, 14, 15; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Phile. 2), the local congregation was actually gathering together in homes to worship and fellowship. “Gathering together” (what they were doing in homes) is not the same as “not gathering together” (what we are doing in homes).

Right now, we are in an unusual time when elderships had to make some unusual decisions about gathering together. However, when this unusual time has passed, the will of God for His church to “gather together” for worship still remains (1 Cor. 11:17, 18, 20, 33, 34; 14:23, 26), whether that is congregations “gathering together” in homes or in church buildings. Let’s make sure that we don’t misuse the Bible when we are looking to justify a practice.