Number 121:  August 7, 2007

One of the major keys to having a profitable Church in the home experience is having capable, biblically informed leaders overseeing the home fellowships. The work of the Lord cannot be done chaotically. The overseer was chosen by the man of God who was led by the Holy Spirit. This was done in the first century Church.

Titus 1:5:

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.

Acts 20:20:

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly [larger gatherings], and from house to house.

The Apostles Peter and Paul knew this, so they taught and trained as many as possible to carry on the Lord’s work. They wrote godly instruction on who was qualified to oversee these home fellowships, such as all of I and II Timothy. They had to unfortunately add warnings against excesses and false brethren who would try to use their positions to further their own causes, not the Lord Jesus Christ’s. 

I Peter 5:2 and 3:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Acts 20:30:

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

The overseers must be very, very careful as to what goes on in the house where the Church of God is meeting. Satan tricked some of the overseers into being full of pride and they drew disciples away after themselves, not after the Word of God. Some of the overseers strayed from God’s Word and taught doctrines of men, thus corrections in the leadership of the home fellowships were also needed. Strong, accurate leadership based on the Word of God was and still is essential.

Romans 16:18:

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Although the Lord Jesus Christ taught the multitudes, he worked extensively with only 12. He was the master teacher and that is all he chose to invest his training efforts with.  

He taught them God’s will through God’s Word to always be God’s best.