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Developing A Biblical World View
The evangelistic thrust of the home groups was apparently so successful that when Saul was trying to crush the church he did not feel he could do it by just concentrating on the temple. He also entered every house to stop the spread of the Gospel:
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 8:3)
The vision of God's plan for the cross-cultural spread of the Gospel was given in a home as Peter prayed on the rooftop (Acts 10). The first message to the Gentiles was preached in the home of Cornelius (Acts 10).
The great cross-cultural evangelist, Paul, was discipled by Ananias in a home (Acts 9). Paul taught both publicly and also house to house during his ministry:
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house. (Acts 20:20)
Paul's final days of ministry were in a rented house where he received all who came, teaching and preaching to them:
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him.
Preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28:30-31)
Jesus declared that His house was to be called of all nations a house of prayer:
And He taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? (Mark 11:17)
The Greek word for "house" in this verse means dwelling place. This can be either a private home or public temple.
The strategy of the early Church to reach the world was each believer reproducing with each home serving as a center of evangelism.