Today I read this in support of persecuted Christian believers:
Every church building in Egypt, Kazekstan and China and in many other places requires a permit, but these are notoriously difficult to obtain, and the Christian community has a great lack of places to meet for worship.
Here are some indisputable facts:
1. The first Jesus believers did not meet in “church buildings”–that was unheard of and the Holy Spirit did not lead them to do so, neither did the Lord Jesus in his instructions to them. Church buildings are unnecessary. Obedience based discipleship of Jesus is critical.
2. To meet for worship? clearly the first believers did not meet for worship unless we understand that “worship” for them meant making a sacrifice to the Lord of their bodies, their lives, and “worship” means “encouraging one another and stirring one another up to love and good works”. This was the pattern given to the disciples of Jesus.
3. Meeting together–on the street, in a park, in a pub, as we walk together in the country–is a great blessing, if it is truly in Jesus’ name, for even when only 2 or 3 do so, he is among them, to listen to them, to meet their needs of courage, boldness, power and authority.
Ian Thomson 