Where does the Scripture mention buying a building?
Question:
I visited your web site; it is very nice and helpful. My question is: Where, in the Scripture, does it mention buying a building for church worship? I could only find house worship.
Answer:
The command to assemble is "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). While what is to be done -- assemble -- is mentioned, nothing specific is given in regards to where it was to take place. As we look through the New Testament we find that the disciples:
- met at the Temple in Jerusalem (Acts 2:46),
- met in upper rooms (rented rooms) (Acts 20:8),
- met in people’s homes (Romans 16:5), and
- met in schools (Acts 19:9).
None of these examples show that a building was purchased, but while each is widely varied, they have one thing in common: they had a place to assemble. We simply don't know where the vast majority of the churches met because it is not mentioned. For example, while where the church at Corinth met is not mentioned, we do know that it wasn't in a home (I Corinthians 11:22, 34).
Why do many congregations purchase a building? Because it is cheaper than renting a facility and provides a stable location. In other words, the brethren chose this method, which satisfies the command, in the manner a good steward would do with the resources provided. It is simply an expedient method of obeying the command to assemble.
