BIBLICAL BASIS FOR LARGER GATHERING
Bill Beckham has
described the cell church as a two-winged bird that has a “large wing” and a
“small wing.” The two wings are clearly described in one verse, Acts 2:46: (1) they
went to the temple to hear the Apostles teach and (2) broke bread in their
homes. The two dimensions of a cell church require both teaching and
prophesying.
The large wing is for
biblical instruction, equipping the believers for the work of their
ministry. The large gathering of
believers took place in the Jerusalem temple. In Ephesus, Paul taught large
groups in the school of Tyrannus. They also gathered in Corinth on the “first
day” (Acts 16:2). In Acts 20:7, believers crowded together in Troas on the
first day of the week as Paul taught them into the night.
The small wing is where
all prophesy and reveal Christ’s presence and power. (1 Cor. 14:3, 24-25). The
primary purpose of the cell meeting is for edification, exhortation and comfort
as believers manifest supernatural gifts to build up the body. This produces “Body Life Evangelism” as observing
unbelievers fall on their faces, declaring they are witnessing the activity of
God within the group.
Thus, there must always
be two components in a cell church.
The assembled community gathers for biblical guidance and instruction so they will
properly function as “one another” priests in the cell. The cell penetrates the
people within their oikoses and draws
them into the cell meetings to observe Christ’s activity as His gifts are
manifested.
Contemporary cell
churches must remember that the gathered assembly is for the purpose of
equipping believers through biblical teaching. Too often in a consumer-oriented
Sunday service the sermon is directed toward making the audience “feel good.”
One TV church commercial in Houston promises that those who attend will “get a
lift for the rest of the week.” No! The general assembly is for the guidance of
the priesthood as they serve for the
week.
Also, contemporary cell
churches must remember that the basic community gathered in homes is the way
the indwelling Christ manifests His presence and power through ALL believers
prophesying as the ungifted and unbelievers watch. If this is not taking place
the cell is not the authentic body of Christ.
Two wings take care of
two separate ministries. In the large wing, believers are equipped and edified
from the scriptures. This gathering is for believers, not unbelievers. That is
why in Wesley’s cell church the attenders had to obtain a ticket in the class
meeting (cell) before they could come to the large service!
In the small wing (cell),
purification of the body members takes place as all prophesy and unbelievers
observe Christ’s power. Note: unbelievers are not first taken to the large service where teaching takes place.
We seek to evangelize in
the wrong place by the wrong method. One experience in a Spirit-filled,
Christ-empowered cell as healing and deliverance takes place, is worth fifty trips to a boring large wing church service!
