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Friday, December 30, 2011

Apostolic Traditions (Continued): God’s assemblies characterized by active participation of the saints.

The apostles taught by their inspired instructions in scripture that gatherings of the saints were to be marked by the ministry of many not by the ministry of one or a select few.
-Hebrews 10:24,25 teaches us clearly what is on God’s agenda when His people gather together, i.e. - considering one another to provoke or stir up unto love and good works and – exhorting one another.
- In I Cor.5:4-13 and I Timothy 5:19-21, the apostle Paul clearly teaches that when it becomes necessary to put away a sinning brother or sister in the church or even to rebuke a sinning elder, it is not a matter that is dealt with “behind closed doors” by a select group of leaders, elders or “pastoral staff”. Rather it is to be dealt with when the assembly is gathered together.
- In I Cor.11:20-34 and 14:23-40 Paul gives clear teaching on what is to happen when the whole church (the church in the city) comes together into one place:
- This kind of gathering is not for eating the Lord’s supper (11:20),
-eating is to be done in believers’ houses (11:21,33,34)
–in such a gathering any brother may give a psalm, a doctrine, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation but all must be the edification of all (14:26),
-tongues speaking is limited to 2 or 3 speakers, one is to interpret and if there is no interpreter there is to be no tongues speaking (again, so that all may be edified 14:27,28),
- 2 or 3 prophets may speak, if something is revealed to another who sits by, the first is to hold his peace, and whatever is spoken by prophets is also to be judged or discerned by the other prophets(14:29-33), and, in such whole church gatherings, women are to be silent and, if they have questions, to ask their own husbands at home. (14:34,35)

What the apostles taught by their spoken and written instructions we also see put into practice, modeled by the apostles and the early churches of which they formed a part.  Normal church gatherings in homes were marked by free participation of any of the believers, including sisters. See Acts 1:12-2:47; 4:23-37; 12:11-17; 13:1-3; 18:24-26; 21:8,9; 20:7-12.)  All gatherings of the while church, such as Acts 6:1-6 and 15:4-32 were conducted in accordance with the regulations of I Cor.14:23-40.

 “Preaching” among the saints was always by dialogue and discussion rather than lecturing. Paul’s preaching in Acts 20 was the Greek word “dialegomai” or dialogue. Current religious tradition has taught us that “homilies” are “sermons” and that “homiletics” is the art of sermon preparation and delivery, yet the truth of the matter is that scriptural homilies are always conversations among a number of people! The Greek word HOMILEO is found 4 times in the NT and is translated “talked together”, “communed together”, “talked” and “communed” in Luke 24:14,15; Acts 20:11 and 24:26. Thus it is clear that sermonizing to assemblies of saints is an activity that is totally foreign to the NT!  This is one major reason why the apostles never taught the early saints to buy, own, rent or acquire special church buildings but most often gathered in homes. (Acts 2:46, 20:20; Rom 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col 4:15 & Philemon 1:2).  Even when the whole church in a city gathered together into one place “sermonizing” was never on the agenda  nor was their venue on such occasions owned by the church! (Acts 2:46; 5:12; 19:9; 20:20 I Cor.11:20; 14:23 KJV)

The Lord Jesus and the apostles knew that monologue lecturing was the least effective means of communication and that conversations in which one is personally involved are remembered far more readily than lectures at which one was simply a passive listener.  So too, believers today remember and retain far more of what is spoken in conversations in which they participate than they do from pulpit ministry.

Have you ever wondered why pulpit ministry and monologue lecturing has become the central and principal feature of the vast majority of church gatherings regardless of denomination?  As far as the scriptures go, there is not one NT example of divine truth being communicated to believers by way of monologue sermonizing! And did you know that there is just one OT example of a monologue from a pulpit? That one instance which is the sole scriptural basis for pulpit ministry was in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah when the Israelites, just recently returned from captivity, did not have the scriptures available in their own hands and the scriptures were being read to them publicly! See Nehemiah 8:4.

How much more effectively the Word of God is communicated among the people of God when we listen to and obey apostolic traditions! And those who are regular participants in gatherings of saints characterized by “one anothering” can testify that such gatherings are far more interesting and edifying than gatherings in which they are silent spectators.

Have you ever participated in church gatherings where “one anothering” was the expected norm?  Have you ever desired to be part of such gatherings of saints? Have you ever heard others express fears about the “dangers” of obeying such an apostolic tradition?

What are your thoughts, comments or responses to the above?

Friday, December 23, 2011

APOSTOLIC TRADITION: NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN CLERGY AND LAITY

Probably the most prevalent and damaging tradition of men among churches of the Lord’s people today is the distinction between groups called “the clergy” and “the laity”. According to this tradition “the clergy” are those normally referred to as “the ministers”, “servants of the Lord” those who are “ordained”, those who are in “full-time Christian work” and who are normally paid for their ministry or service and many are given titles such as “Reverend” or “Father”.

By way of contrast “the laity”, according to this tradition of men, are those who are “ministered to”, “served” by the clergy, “unordained”, employed in “secular work”, and if they do any service in the church it is usually as unpaid volunteers.

But such a tradition was not passed down by the Lord Jesus or the apostles! Rather they clearly taught that the laity (The Greek word LAOS) or “the people” of God and the clergy (the Greek word KLEROS) or God’s  “inheritance”, “heritage” or “appointed lot” were one and the same group of people!!!

The following are just a few examples where God, through His apostles and prophets, refers to believers as “my people” (LAOS) or “the people (LAOS) of God”:

Romans 9:25)  As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people (LAOS), which were not my people (LAOS); and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26)  And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people (LAOS); there shall they be called the children of the living God.

2 Corinthians 6:16)  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (LAOS).

1 Peter 2:9)  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (LAOS); that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10)  Which in time past were not a people (LAOS), but are now the people (LAOS) of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

All believers are not only called God’s people or LAOS, they are also included in His inheritance or KLEROS!
The Lord Jesus, speaking to the apostle Paul told him that believers would not only receive forgiveness of sins but also inheritance (KLEROS) among them which are sanctified by faith! (Acts 26:15-18

The apostle Paul, writing to the church at Colosse, told them that the Father had made them partakers of the inheritance (KLEROS) of the saints in light.  (Colossians 1:9-17)

And the apostle Peter, writing to elders of the churches in I Peter 5:1-3, clearly instructed them that they were not to be “lords over God's heritage (KLEROS)”, but rather to be “examples to the flock.”   Thus we see that, according to the scriptures and apostolic tradition, the laity and the clergy are not two different groups of people but are two terms used of all believers!

Not only are all believers both laity and clergy, but all are ordained of God! The Lord Jesus, in John 15:16 said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”

Not only are we all clergy which have been ordained by the Lord Jesus but we also are gifted by God for ministry! Every believer is equipped for ministry to others in the Body and have thus been made stewards of the manifold grace of God. “As every man (each one) hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  (I Peter 4:10,11)

The apostles not only taught that all believers are God’s clergy, that they are ordained, that they are ministers but they taught that all believers are also holy and royal priests! See I Peter 2:5&9

The main reason why “burnout” among Christian “pastors/clergymen” has reached epidemic proportions is because this tradition of men has placed such a heavy burden on such leaders which God never intended that they should carry! Ministry is designed by God to be shared by all the members in the body, not just one!

According to apostolic tradition, church leaders were never to be hired by the flock, saddled with all the responsibilities of ministry and fired when they did not meet the high expectations placed upon them!

Rather elders (a plurality of men who are “home-grown” rather than called from elsewhere) are to be recognized by God-given qualifications (I Timothy 3 and Titus 1) and are to serve together as they oversee the flock,  to work with their own hands to meet their own needs and minister to the weak among the flock. (Acts 20:28-35)

When ever God’s simple instructions for His flock are obeyed, both sheep and shepherds flourish. But when traditions of men replace apostolic traditions great damage is done to the shepherds and great havoc is worked among the sheep!  Oh may we have courage to repent of traditions of men and return to the simplicity of apostolic traditions for all of our church practices!

You are invited to comment below or email me at bwood4d@gmail.com

Thursday, December 22, 2011

FEATURES OF THE APOSTOLIC TRADITION OF BAPTISM:

We have seen previously that every apostolic tradition is: (1) based on a command of the Lord
 Jesus,  (2) communicated to us by the spoken or written words of an apostle and (3) has been
delivered or entrusted to believers of succeeding generations to be practiced by us.

In view of the above, we see that the apostolic tradition of baptism is established by the
commands of the Lord Jesus and the apostles Peter and Philip and delivered to us in the
following scriptures:

Matthew 28:16  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19  Go ye therefore, and teach  (i.e. make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them (baptized disciples) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I  (Jesus) am with you (disciples) alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of  (in response to the authority of or in obedience to) Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38  And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the
word. 45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with
Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46  For they
heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid
water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of (in response to the authority of or in
obedience to) the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

From these scriptures we learn the following truths regarding baptism:

(1) The people who are to be baptized are disciples (followers) of the Lord Jesus.
(2) The people who are to do the baptizing are other disciples of the Lord Jesus.  (There is not a line of scripture from the mouth of the Lord Jesus or the pens of the apostles that teaches that the act of baptizing is restricted to male believers, “credentialed” leaders, apostles or elders as has traditionally been practiced.)  Rather the Lord and the apostles clear teach that this responsibility lies upon “disciples” apart from any other requirement.
(3) Being baptized is not an option for any believer but a direct command to be obeyed.
(4) The result of any baptism is that the object of baptism (by definition of the word) is in the medium of the baptism.  Baptism may be done by “dipping”, “plunging” or “burying” the object into the medium or by “pouring” the medium upon the object so that the object is “in” the medium. (Sprinkling a few drops on one’s head does not accomplish this result and so sprinkling is NOT baptizing!)
(5) This next point may be surprising to many Christians, but the medium of the baptism of believers was never specified by the Lord Jesus or the apostles. In all the recorded instances of people being baptized in the NT where the medium is also recorded, it was water.  However, we have also noted that historical records of events do not establish apostolic traditions. Only divine or apostolic commands establish such. While in most instances water is certainly the most readily available and inexpensive substance to be the medium for baptism, we cannot say that baptizing in some other medium would be disobedient. For example, there are believers who live in the desert of the Australian “outback” who baptize by actual burial in soil!  Water is so scarce, precious and valuable that large enough quantities for baptizing are just not readily available. So these folks baptize in soil. The use of  soil is a very apt and appropriate medium for an action which is to portray death, burial and resurrection and is in no way a violation of apostolic tradition!
(6) The order of the divine and apostolic commands are as follows: (1) making disciples, (2) baptizing disciples and (3) teaching those baptized disciples to observe all that the Lord Jesus commands them.   To delay baptism for the purpose of teaching new converts anything is contrary to the divinely established order of these commands!
(7) There is no scriptural basis, reason or excuse for delaying baptism of a professed disciple for any reason!  Every person who professes to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus and desires to be baptized has every right to ask the question asked by the Ethiopian of the apostle, Philip: “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” The apostle made perfectly clear that there was one and only one pre-requisite for baptism, i.e. faith in Christ.  If any preacher, teacher, elder or church leader gives any other answer to such a question than that given by the apostle Philip, they have departed from apostolic tradition in the matter! To delay obedience in the matter of baptism on account of one’s age,  in order to give them further teaching, in order to allow their profession to be tested and proven, or because of some sinful habit over which they have not yet gained the victory is to stand in direct disobedience to the command of God and apostolic tradition!

May we have the humility to bow in obedience to the commands of the Lord Jesus relative to
baptism and the boldness to stand against any and every tradition of men that would run
contrary to His commands!

Just as in assembly/church/ekklesia gatherings,  we all retain and benefit far more from
conversations in which we have been active participants than we do from simply writing or
reading articles or speaking or listening to messages apart from interaction with others
on the subject matter!

So with this in mind,  I invite and encourage your comments, questions, challenges  or
objections to anything written in this blog.  Your interaction on the subject will be beneficial
for both of us and for others who read it. You may enter such as comments below or send
them in an email to me at bwood4d@gmail.com    

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

WHAT ESTABLISHES AN APOSTOLIC TRADITION?

I  believe that one reason the following four scriptures have been given is to identify for us what apostolic traditions are and what establishes such traditions:

1 Corinthians 11:1)  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2)  Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

1 Corinthians 14:37)  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:15)  Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

2 Thessalonians 3:6)  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

From these scriptures we learn that an apostolic tradition is:
(a) a teaching  passed down to an apostle, from the Lord Jesus,(I Cor.11:1,2
        & 14:37)
           (b) such a teaching has been delivered to others by an apostle, 
                     (I Cor.11:2; II Thess.3:6)
                      (c) such a teaching has been communicated by an
                             apostle’s spoken word or by written epistle. 
                               (I Cor.14:37; II Thess.2:15)

Some very earnest Christians sincerely believe and teach that some very common church practices are apostolic traditions based solely on records of historical events found in the New Testament.

But does a scriptural historical record of an event establish any apostolic tradition?

You be the judge of the following recorded events in the Book of Acts. Does the record of any of the following 21 events establish an apostolic tradition which we ought always to follow? Check off your answer (“YES” or “NO”) after each of the following and then record your reasons below for any “YES” answers:

(1) Prayer meetings ought to be held in upper rooms because of Acts 1:13,14. 
       Y(   ) N(   )
(2) Everybody at a prayer meeting ought to speak in tongues because of
       Acts 2:4. Y(   )   N(   )
(3) When preaching the Gospel, one should use Joel 2, Psalm 16, Psalm 110 &
       Psalm 132 as their texts because of Acts 2:14-39.  Y(   )   N(   )
(4) Believers ought to continue steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and
       fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers because of Acts 2:42. 
       Y (   )  N (   )
(5) Believers ought to have all things common, selling their possessions and
       distributing to those who have need because of Acts 2:44,45 and 4:32-35. 
       Y(   )   N(   )
(6) Believers ought to meet daily in the temple because of Acts 2:46.Y(   )N(   )
(7) Believers ought to break bread daily from house to house because of
       Acts 2:46.   Y(   )   N(   )
(8) All lame beggars ought to be healed because of Acts 3:1-11.  Y(   )   N(   )
(9) Believers ought to heal every sick person that is brought for healing
       because of Acts 5:12-16.     Y(   )   N(   )
(10) Believers ought to preach the Gospel daily in the temple and in houses
        because of Acts 5:42.  Y(   )   N(   )
(11) Believers everywhere ought to appoint 7 men filled with the Holy Spirit
        and wisdom to care for widows in their city because of Acts 6:1-6. 
        Y(   )   N(   )
(12) Believers ought to pray and lay hands on people so they receive the
        Holy Spirit because of Acts 8:15-17.   Y(   )   N(  )
(13) Every one’s baptism should occur 3 days after their conversion because
        of Acts 9:1-18.    Y(   )   N(  )
(14) Believers should heal all those who are sick of the palsy because of
        Acts 9:33,34.  Y(   )   N(   )
(15) Believers always ought to raise the dead to life again because of
          Acts 9:36-41.  Y(   )   N(   )
(16) Believers ought to preach the Gospel on the sabbath day in synagogues
        because of Acts 14:1; 17:1-4)   Y(   )   N(   )
(17) Believers ought to baptize new converts in the middle of the night
         because of Acts 16:33.  Y(   )   N(   )
(18) Believers ought to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread
        on the first day of the week, and only then because of Acts 20:7.  
         Y(   )   N(  )
(19) Someone should always preach till midnight when disciples come
        together to break bread because of Acts 20:7.   Y(   )   N(   )
(20) Believers should always gather in an upper room to break bread
        because of Acts 20:8.   Y(   )   N(   )
(21) Believers should always break bread after midnight and then talk
        till day break because of Acts 20:11.   Y(  )   N(  )

How many of the historical events above do you think establish an apostolic tradition?(  )  

If  you think one or more of them do, why that one or those and not others?

Would you then add any other further scriptural requirements (which identify apostolic traditions) to the three I have listed above?  If so,  what would such requirements be and where would they be found in the scriptures?

From another perspective, some of the recorded events above are practical illustrations of obedience to apostolic traditions which are actually taught and commanded elsewhere in scripture!

- Believers ought to continue steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, NOT because of the historical event of Acts 2:42, but because of the commands of the Lord Jesus and the apostles in Matt.28:18-20;  I Cor.11:1,2; II Thess. 2:15 and 3:6!
- We ought to continue steadfastly in the fellowship, NOT because of the historical event of Acts 2:42, but because of the calling of God in I Cor.1:9 and the apostolic command to communicate/have fellowship in Hebrews 13:16
 -We ought to continue steadfastly in the breaking of bread NOT because of the historical event of Acts 2:42 but because of the commands of the Lord Jesus and the apostles in Luke 22:19 and I Cor.11:23-26.
- We ought to continue steadfastly in prayers NOT because of the historical event of Acts 2:42 but because of the commands of the Lord Jesus and the apostles in Luke 18:1; 21:36; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18!
-We ought to sell possessions we don’t need and distribute to the necessities of others NOT because of the historical events of Acts 2:44,45 and 4:32-35 but because of the commands of the Lord Jesus and the apostles in Matt.19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 12:33; II Cor.8:9-15!
- Believers ought to remember the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread on the first day of the week NOT because of the historical event of Acts 20:7 but rather because the Lord Jesus and the apostles command us to do it as often we eat the bread and drink the cup  (i.e. as often as we eat our daily meals!) This is also the reason why we ought to do it NOT ONLY on the first day of the week but daily, NOT because the early believers happened to do it daily (Acts 2:46) but because the Lord Jesus and the apostles commanded us to do so!

Your comments?.... Add them below!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Lemuel asks how biblical ekklesias function and if they exist

Lemuel, a friend of mine, has recently written a number of excellent comments and questions in relation to the earliest posts on the blog relative to what an “ekklesia” is and how it is to function.  There I maintained that an ekklesia was a company of people called out with authority to make decisions together.  Biblical ekklesias did not have “boards”, committees or groups of leaders who gathered together to make decisions “for” the ekklesia!  There were apostles and elders but neither the apostles nor the elders made decisions for the churches! They gave counsel and advice but the authourity and responsibility for making decisions lay with the church gathered together.  See Acts 6:1-7 and Acts 15:1-31
It was in this context that Lemuel wrote the following and I’m going to take the liberty to comment (in blue) within his comments here:
“I see more of what you mean about "ekklesia".

You know, I've never seen such a thing in all my life, and with all my rational thinking behind me, I can't ever see it succeeding, unless the spirit of God is truly there controlling the whole situation.
 
(You are right, brother!  A biblical church cannot function properly unless the saints are willing to acknowledge practically, and not just theoretically, that Christ is the Head of His church and expect that He will guide His people!  How often have we (people) assumed control and thus usurped control which is not rightfully ours??

Can you imagine a group of drunkards, thieves, robbers, prostitutes,...etc that come to join the church and get saved, but they still have the old mind or old habits of thinking, getting together to make a decision? Most of them, if not all, wouldn't know how to discern His spirit or know His leading, because they don't know Him yet. (Heck, I'm not satisfied with my Christian walk for many times in my trials, I have no clue whatsoever what to do).
(I have often thought such things myself, brother! But when I do, I am actually denying many awesome truths that are stated in scripture regarding all believers, even the youngest convert:
-According to the divinely stated terms of the New Covenant, God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2) has guaranteed that He will do all of the following not only for the house of Israel and for the house of Judah (Hebrews 8:8), but also for all Gentile believers who are the epistle of Christ written with the Spirit of the living God in fleshly tables of the heart (II Cor.3:3):
(1) I will put my laws into their mind, (2) I will write them in their hearts: (3) I will be to them a God, (4) They shall be to me a people, (5)  They shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest, (6) I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and (7) Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

The only reason that a biblical church is possible is because God is faithful to His own covenant!!! If such was dependent on our “performance”, our “wisdom” or our “ingenuity” it would be a hopeless cause!  But I would suggest that our doubts that God really meant what He said, and our fears that such just could not work have been at the root of our losing confidence in Him and placing our confidence instead in our own institutions, our own traditions and our own programs! 

May we rather acknowledge to Him when we have no clue what to do and then lean hard upon Him for the wisdom which He has promised (James 1:5) and trust Him to do in us all that He has said He would do!

“And what happens to the elders and apostles? They ought to know God a lot more (and many don't). Do they participate in decision making? I'm assuming they are part of the church body, so they would be included. Instinctively and naturally, the new babes in Christ look to church elders for their leadership.”
You are absolutely right, brother. Elders and apostles are part of the Body and, because they have been longer on the road, they go before and set an example for others to follow, and can give wise counsel. So yes, younger ones have the benefit of their example to follow and their wisdom to heed. But they are not to be rulers who “lay down the law” requiring others to bow to their decisions!

In all probability, I'm completely in the dark as to what the TRUE meaning of God's "ekklesia", "group", "board meeting", "gathering", "meeting" or whatever you call it is (for I don't think it matters what it is called, but what ever God providentially ordains is meaningful).
So describe then what actually happens in such a TRUE ekklesia...

Brother, let me be clear in my terms… there are many TRUE ekklesias/churches composed of born again, blood bought children of God in just about every community across this great land and around the world. They are TRULY God’s people and members in Christ’s Body. But, sad to say, the practices of many true churches are not biblical practices.
But, for the last two millennia, the Lord has been building His church and where ever people have heard the Gospel, become disciples of the Lord Jesus and then listened to Him, obeyed what He has commanded and taught others to do the same, such ekklesias which are biblical in their practices have been the result!  They have always been known by the practices we find recorded in Acts 2:- they that gladly received his word are baptized,- they continue stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine, - they continue stedfastly in fellowship, - they continue stedfastly in breaking of bread, and - they continue stedfastly in prayers,- the Lord adds to the church those who are saved (men do not add anyone to a biblical church they simply receive those whom God has received Romans 15:7).
And, when they assemble together, practices like those described in Hebrews 10:24 & 25; I Peter 4:10,11 and I Corinthians 11:24-26 are common among them:
Rather than forsaking the assembling of themselves together as the manner of some is…..     
- they consider one another to provoke (or stir up) unto love and to good works and - they exhort one another: - as they see the day approaching they long to do these things more and more, - they have fervent love among themselves,- they gladly extend hospitality one to another,- as each one of them has received, they also minister those gifts one to another as good
stewards of the many-sided grace of God, (they do not look to one or a few to do all the ministering) - So whenever anyone speaks they are to do it as the speaking of God, and- As anyone serves, they are to do it out of the ability which God has given so that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.- They eat meals together in their homes and as they do, they remember the Lord Jesus.

“Do you know where any such ekklesia exists?    Lemuel”
Yes, brother, I personally know of a few here in S. Ontario and have heard of many others and I have been praying for years that the Lord would multiply such gatherings across our county until there would be such gatherings within walking distance of everyone in our county!  Where ever there are brothers and sisters who long to embrace apostolic traditions, I long to encourage such to begin doing just that in their own homes with other saints who may live just down the block or around the corner!
Would you seriously consider that the Lord might want such an ekklesia in your home?