Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Today we are in Colossae in Turkey. This ancient city has largely not been excavated therefore there is not a lot to see. There was an earthquake here in AD60 and the city was never rebuilt like nearby places which meant that the populations began to move to other areas. However, there was a church here, probably by Epaphras and the church continued for several centuries in one form or another.
For the first 300 years of the church, Christians gathered together in homes for worship, fellowship, and teaching. And this was certainly the case here in Colossae. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, who lived in Colossae, he wrote, “To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker —and to the church that meets in your home” (Philemon 1:1-2 NIV). And so, the church here at Colossae at some stage, maybe from the very start met in Philemon’s house. Interestingly, Theodoret, a Christian theologian in the fifth century, claimed that Philemon’s house was still standing at Colossae and could still be viewed[i]. In Paul’s letter to this church, he gave a series of greetings, one of whom was “to Nympha and the church in her house” (Colossians 4:15 NIV). It is believed that the church that met in her house was the church of Laodicea. We also know that there was a church that met in Aquila and Priscilla’s house. We see a pattern begin to unfold in the lives of Priscilla and Aquila. That is, wherever they went, they started a church in their house. I like that. They not only worked together by day making tents, but they also opened their home at night.
Many churches originally commenced in homes. My parents-in-laws Graeme and Olive Bagley moved over 55-years ago to the new area in Sydney’s southern suburbs called Engadine. Together with just a few other families who like them had young children started the church in each other’s homes. Graeme and Olive commenced the Engadine Church of Christ Sunday School from their single car garage. They met together for worship, teaching, communion, and fellowship in homes until the day came when the few families grew in number and sacrificially gave and purchase land at 131 Woronora Road, Engadine and built the church’s facilities. For 50 years Graeme and Olive served their Lord in that church by leading Sunday School and Holiday Clubs, hosting Home Groups, playing the piano and organ, being an elder, serving on the cleaning and morning tea rosters, and pastoral visitations. Just a few years ago Graeme and Olive were honoured as they cut the cake at Engadine’s 50th anniversary.
There’s something special about Christians worshipping in homes. Throughout the world, Christians met together in homes for prayer, worshiping, teaching and fellowship. Many hosts are like Priscilla and Aquila who worked through the day and then have others over in their home at night. If this is you, thank you. Your gift of hospitality is valued. There is something special, warm, and personal about gathering as Christians in homes.
Let’s pray:
Dear God. Thank you for Christians who have opened their homes for fellowship, discipleship and in some places for safety. Thank you for gift this precious gift of hospitality.
O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[i] (Colossae in Space and Time: Linking to an Ancient City, Cadwallader, A., and Trainor, M., ed., Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2011, p. 303).
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