Today we see that there is a great diversity of religions worshipping God, and with them many more churches, synagogues, basilicas and other meeting places. I wonder where the first Christians met?
To complement this reading, I suggest you read about how the early Christians lived.
Christians and Jesus
I would like to begin this article by reminding you who is the founder, protagonist, or whatever you want to call him, of Christianity. His name is Jesus.
When Jesus walked the earth, he took his word with him wherever he went.
Those who have read the Bible know more about this story.
Nowhere in the Bible is Jesus shown speaking to his followers in a church.
His teaching was always in the open air!
Jesus used his pilgrimages, which we know were on foot, to spread his word.
He did not choose a particular place to speak.
It was on the way to Bethany that Jesus preached to his disciples about the barren fig tree.
In the famous passage about feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, Jesus told them to lie down on the grass, i.e. they were out in the open!
When he was walking on the sea!
In the famous passage from the Sermon on the Mount!
Always, always he used his coming and going to preach his gospel.
At other times he would go to the house of a sick or needy person to heal them, and such was his fame that he was immediately filled.
All those who followed him asked him to speak to them about the things of their Father.
Where did the first Christians meet?
After the crucifixion, things changed radically for Christians.
At that time there were no buildings specifically designed as churches.
Someone’s house was the place where the first Christians met.
People who professed this doctrine agreed to host their brothers and sisters.
Although it was someone’s house, it was considered holy, not because it had luxury or anything like that, but because it was consecrated to the honour and praise of God.
The spread of the church
Soon these churches began to grow and spread to other cities.
The church in Corinth is our main reference point. See also what the early Christians said about the church.
As this church was known as Paul’s headache, its congregation was thought to be immense!
According to some historians, the church in Corinth where the early Christians met was a congregation of no more than 50 people.
A house that could accommodate that number of people would have to be of considerable size.
At that time the Lord’s Supper, known as the “agape” of love, was already being celebrated.
Traditionally, and from the beginning, much food was served at these gatherings.
In the church at Corinth, where the early Christians met, there was a room set aside for this, where the more privileged (the wealthy) enjoyed the feast.
Others, less fortunate, were served in the atrium, sitting on the floor!
These Christians were full and drunk, while others were hungry; and this greatly annoyed Paul.
Although these shameful acts took place in this church, we took the good out of it.
We gathered together and took the Lord’s Supper with the solemnity it deserved.
We also learned that it doesn’t matter where we meet if we consecrate it to the honour and praise of our Father.
Secret meetings of the early Christians
There was a time when catacombs and hiding places were where the early Christians met!
The Romans did not approve of the seditious behaviour of the Christians.
They would not for a moment agree to Christians not paying tribute to the emperor.
They could not conceive of believing that a man who had just died, and who happened to be a Jew, would return to rule.
The faith professed by the Christians was against the interests of the emperor!
So they began to persecute them in order to put an end to this doctrine.
Many Christians were beaten, imprisoned and eaten by wild animals.
Others were martyred. If you would like to know more about this story, I suggest you read our article What the early Christians did to survive.
For this reason, Christians had to live in hiding for a long time.
Where do Christians meet today?
We have seen that the early Christians did not have a building as such in which to meet, but they did meet in faith.
To receive the teaching that nourished their lives; and to be in open fellowship with God.
Today, as yesterday, Christians meet together.
Although we have large buildings designed as churches, we also maintain the custom of meeting in a brother’s home.
Like the disciples of old, we visit the homes of those who need God’s Word.
We meet out of obedience.
God’s Word urges us to meet to inspire love and good works.
To inspire love for God and for our neighbour.
He, in His great mercy, makes it necessary for us to gather together as His children so that we may be of one mind in His Word.
It doesn’t matter if the church you attend is big, beautiful, cosy or trendy!
The important thing is to gather!
Christians have an allegory about coals that is very true.
For the coals of a barbecue to keep burning, they need to be united. Scattered coals go out!
So it is with us Christians; we must stick together like coals to keep each other warm and not allow our faith and hope to die out.
Remember that the Church is a body that needs to be with each of its members! You can find more information on how to read and understand the Bible here.
It does not matter where you meet, what matters is that you meet!
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
God will be present in the place you set aside to worship Him!
