What Are New Testament Cell Churches
?
"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of
you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." (1 Corinthians 14:26). The
family that you have now become part of, is the Church of God. The Church is not
a building but a community of people that congregate in buildings and homes. One
of the functions of the Church is to gather in small groups called Cells.
(Acts 2:46-47)
What is a Cell Church ?
A Cell Church (or Home Cell) is a small group of people who
are committed to first of all building up one another, and secondly to fulfil
the great commission in reaching out to the lost. They meet together weekly, as
well as having contact with other people throughout the week. The Cell is like a
larger family than just your own. It is comparable to the cells in a human body
that provide protection, communication, life, sustenance etc. Likewise the Cell
Group is there for protection, edification, acceptance, support and
communication.
The Cell Church is for edification?
Edification is the building up of one another so that you can
become a stronger and more effective Christian. God never intended that you be
alone in your relationship with Him. He desired that each believer be connected
to other believers in His body. This ensures that all the parts of His body can
support, help and encourage one another to develop in their Christian walk. You,
as part of the body of Christ, are very important and you have a specific
function to fulfill. God wants to use you to help build and edify His body
together with the rest of His children. In Ephesians 4:16 it says "from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body
for the edifying of itself in love." You need to form part of a Cell so that you
can do your part in the Body and thereby find and fulfil your purpose and
destiny in God's Kingdom.
Your commitment to the Cell Church
The Cell will challenge and encourage your level of growth and
commitment. In the Cell you will discover your ministry and gifting and you will
find the joy of receiving a blessing but more important, of being a blessing.
Make the Cell Group a high priority in your life. Just as you form part of your
own family, you are also destined to form part of God's family in the Cell
Group. Your presence is valuable to the rest of the group. Your participation
will help build up the rest of the group. Make a decision not to allow anyone or
anything to hinder you from attending your Home Cell.
Your contribution to the Church
You are a valuable member of your group. God expects you to be
actively involved in the growth of other Cell Members. The Holy Spirit will give
you spiritual gifts to help you minister to the rest of the group (1 Corinthians 12:7-12). You can also help your Cell
Group by doing practical things for them and using your talents or abilities to
help them. Commit to your Cell and allow the Lord to use you and work through
you to edify His body.
God uses the Cell to evangelize
God desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of
the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). God does not only want Cell Groups
for edification but also evangelism. Evangelism is sharing the good news with
unbelievers. Evangelism in a Cell Group is not the traditional standing on a
corner and handing out tracts, or door-to-door evangelism. Evangelism in Cell
Groups is reaching out and touching those in your family, work mates and
friends. This can occur by simply inviting them to the Cell Group, or by getting
the Cell Group to visit your unsaved contacts. By establishing relationships
with your unsaved family and friends they will become saved. Your Cell Group
will help you pray for your unsaved contacts and together you will see them get
saved. You will learn in detail how to evangelise at the "Evangelism Encounter"
(E3).
The New Testament Church was built on Home
Cells
.
"To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to
the Church in your house" (Philemon 1:2). There are many scriptures in the New
Testament that refers to the Church meeting in houses. Paul told the Church in
Rome: "Likewise greet the Church that is in their house. Greet my beloved
Epaenetus, who is the..." (Romans 16:5). There are many other references in the
Bible, that show that God blessed His Body who met from house to house. There
were general meetings in the synagogues and places of worship, that we today
call Sabbath Day Celebrations, but there was a great emphasis on the home
fellowships. All people need individual attention and this can only be catered
for in small groups. The Celebrations are very important, because on a weekly
basis the Pastor shares the Word of God for the week and the Cells meet to
discuss how the Word can be practically applied in their lives. The Word of God
challenges all believers to be doers and not only hearers of the Word. In the
Cell, members are challenged to walk in the light of the knowledge they
receive.
Can each person participate?
God says: "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come
together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a
revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." (1 Corinthians 14:26). This is impossible in a large
congregation and therefore can only effectively work in a small group situation.
There is also a boldness and freedom in small groups and as a result believers
have more opportunity to develop in spiritual gifts and can experience the
dynamics of the Holy Spirit working through their lives.
You need valuable relationships
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another." (John 13:35). The strong bonds that are formed in the
Home Cells form a powerful team during times of crises and sickness. The
strongest relationships are formed as a result of crises. The Cells are
constantly providing for the needs of Cell Members during these times like
sickness, tragedy, or emotional trauma. Firstly God created us to communicate
with Him and then with others. On God's agenda in this modern busy world people
still remain His number one priority and this should be our priority as well.
You need these personal relationships and in time you will see how valuable
these relationships are. There is no better place to express love than in a Cell
Group. In the company of other believers we also learn to grow and mature in
Christ. We are challenged and motivated to change. Without this accountability
we stand a chance of becoming back-slidden and lukewarm