Question: My question regards the “home church.” I have a friend who is involved in one....We ...

Question: My question regards the “home church.” I have a friend who is involved in one. I attend an Independent Fundamental Baptist church. My friend used different passages out of the Bible to show me what he would consider “faults” in our church, such as having a pastor, tithing, being too formal, having a building, having a name, etc. We both believe the same way about doctrines such as salvation, baptism, KJV Bible, being independent fellowships, etc. Is it sinful for me to stay at my church?

Response: The book of Acts is valuable for showing how the early church began to function, and Paul’s epistles instruct us further. First Timothy 3 and Titus 1 contain the qualifications for leadership. Ephesians 4 speaks of the various ministries that operate in the church, as do 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12.

In Ephesians 4, the ministry of “pastor” is listed. Ephesians:4:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
See All... tells us that these ministers will be in operation “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” The Scriptures also speak of “elders” in authority in the church (Acts:20:17-32 [17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. [18] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, [19] Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: [20] And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, [21] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: [23] Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. [24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. [25] And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. [26] Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. [27] For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. [28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. [32] And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
See All...; 1 Tm 3; Ti 1:5-9; etc.). Nevertheless, the ministry of “pastor” remains (Eph:4:13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
See All...).

No Scriptures forbid a group of believers from purchasing a building. In a time of inflation and economic uncertainty, it would seem to be good stewardship to do so in order to control costs. Regarding scriptural settings, Paul spoke of Priscilla and Aquila and wrote in Romans:16:5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
See All... to “greet the church that is in their house.” (See also Col:4:15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
See All...; Phil 2)

In Acts:19:8-9 [8] And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. [9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
See All..., Paul was ministering in a synagogue. When dissension arose between the disciples and the Jews who didn’t believe, “he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.” A large group of some 3,000 disciples in Jerusalem (Acts:2:41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
See All...) met together in a public space, which was the outer court of the temple (Acts:2:46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
See All...) and in smaller groups in homes (for example, in Acts:12:12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
See All..., the house of Mary, the mother of Mark).

Consequently, whether the members of the Body of Christ meet in a home, a rented building, or in a purchased building, the purpose of meeting together is for edification of believers.

The church is made of many members whom He has gifted for service (1 Cor:12:4-14 [4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. [6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. [12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many.
See All...). When our times here are finished, the church will be made up of people from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue. The church was God’s intent from the beginning but was kept a hidden mystery (Eph:3:1-6 [1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
See All...).

There is no order of service given in Scripture, though the early church “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts:2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
See All...). That certainly should give us more than a hint of what is important in the estimation of the Lord.

The Bible is a book of instruction.The correct belief in and practice of it is contingent on one’s knowing the full counsel of Scripture. Regarding your concern of whether it is sinful to stay at your church, that’s a matter of your own searching the Scriptures related to what’s being taught and whether the Lord would have you stay. We are told that “the just shall live by faith,” which is belief in “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Although no church is perfect, a believer nevertheless has to decide whether or not he can abide in a fellowship by faith. “…whatever is not of faith is sin” (Rom14:23).