The Way of Recovery 1st Century Church Gatherings 2.16.2025 The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.
The Way of Recovery: Returning to the 1st Century Church Model
Over time, the Church has drifted from its original design. From the early days of Pentecost, God has been restoring key biblical truths to bring believers back to the foundations of faith. One of the most significant recoveries was in the 1500s when Martin Luther championed justification by faith, leading to the Protestant Reformation. Since then, God has continued revealing truths to the Church, challenging long-standing traditions that hinder spiritual growth.
Three Key Recoveries in Recent History:
- 1970s–1980s: The Body of Christ – A deeper understanding of how believers function as one body.
- 1990s–2020s: New Covenant Grace – Living under grace, not legalism.
- 2020–Present: 1st Century Church Gatherings – Returning to the model of house churches.
Living Under Grace
For centuries, many Christians have struggled with the idea of forgiveness, believing they must repeatedly ask for it. However, under the New Covenant, believers are fully forgiven—past, present, and future—because of Christ’s sacrifice. The Bible makes it clear: God no longer remembers our sins (Hebrews 8:12). Instead of focusing on sin, believers should focus on faith in God’s promises, as sin often stems from a lack of trust in Him.
The Shift Toward House Churches
The early Church met in homes for the first 500 years. However, as traditions formed, Christianity adopted a more structured, institutional model, influenced by Old Testament-style priesthood and temple worship. This led to a passive church experience, where people attended services as spectators rather than active participants.
Recently, many Christians are moving away from large church buildings toward smaller, interactive home gatherings. This shift allows for deeper community, spiritual participation, and personal revelation—key aspects of the early Church.
Spiritual Benefits of 1st Century Gatherings
- Participation – Every believer has something to contribute (1 Cor. 14:26). Instead of just listening to a sermon, members can ask questions, share insights, and encourage one another.
- Edification – The goal of gatherings is to build up believers spiritually, not just to worship through music.
- Revelation – God continues to reveal spiritual truths to individuals, which they can share for the benefit of the whole community.
- Multiplication – House churches create an organic, reproducible model for spreading the Gospel.
Conclusion
God is leading His people back to a more interactive and spiritually rich way of gathering. The Church is not a building but a living body of believers. By embracing this recovery, Christians can experience deeper fellowship, revelation, and growth—just as the early Church did.
