Where did early Christians worship?

by BurnTheShips 19 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    Where did early Christians worship during NT times?

    Was it only in homes?

    Or did they have dedicated buildings?

    BTS

  • M.J.
    M.J.

    I guess it depends on what you consider "early". If it's the 1st century...I think its a pretty safe bet there were no dedicated buildings. The ancient city of Dura Europos has the earliest discovered house which had been converted to a designated meeting site. But it was from the early 3rd century. I'm sure that all along, certain homes were designated as meeting places, but I don't know just how early some houses became converted to buildings whose primary function was for Christian fellowship.

    http://www.sacred-destinations.com/syria/dura-europos-pictures/

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips

    They found an earlier one than that a few years ago in Israel, beautiful mosaics:

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9950210/

    Wow! Today's news! Maybe 70AD or earlier.

    http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/1342

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips
    build massive places of worship and kill those who don't agree.

    Funny, but Jesus treated that massive place of worship, the Temple in Jerusalem, with the utmost respect.

    But I digress, I want am looking for information on the question headed in this thread.

    BTS

  • XJW4EVR
    XJW4EVR

    Christians: "Oh, He said we should create a hierarchy of clergy, demand money, make up a bunch of intricate rules, build massive places of worship and kill those who don't agree. Makes sense to us!"

    Got to love those strawman arguments.

  • snowbird
    snowbird

    I would say in houses as long as they were loosely organized with no hierarchy.

    As the overseers began to lord it over the flock, they needed a larger group and more spacious surroundings from which they could wield authority, hence the beginning of church buildings.

    Sylvia

  • Awakened07
    Awakened07

    It was... what's the word... oh yes, a hyperbole. And a bit of fun.

    Sorry, carry on.

  • M.J.
    M.J.

    Wow! 70 AD? That would make it a Kingdom Hall then! <<rolls eyes>>

    Seriously, that was good timing for this thread. But it's apparently still in dispute.

  • BurnTheShips
    BurnTheShips
    Seriously, that was good timing for this thread. But it's apparently still in dispute.

    Yes. And it looks like it was just a cave. Christians were persecuted in the 1C, they would have met more clandestinely, like they do in China and in parts of the M.E. That usually means a small gathering in a private home.

    BTS

  • betterdaze
    betterdaze

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