Why does Jireh Apostolic Church believe in cell-groups? Our Apostolic church was born with 120 members that prayed in the upper chamber. On that day of Pentecost, close to 3,000 people were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In only one day the church multiplied their members 25 times fold. How did the Apostles take care of all those members? The church did not have a building to congregate. If the Apostles were the only ones to baptize people, that means that they had to baptize an average of 250 people per day; anyhow, baptism only happens once in a life time; but how to take care, follow up, and make disciples of each individual? The only alternative for the Apostles was to distribute the newly converted people between the 120 that were praying in the upper chamber. They became the first leaders of the cell-groups. These 120 leaders brought parts of the multitude to their own homes and started to teach and preach the Gospel, remembering all said by Jesus Christ. That way the Church was able to pay attention to the first converted people. The church of the New Testament started with two types of meetings. The home-based (private houses) meetings and the meetings in temples ( Acts 2:46)
What does it mean when the Bible talks about the Christians meeting in the temple? It refers to the Jewish Temple that was not a local meeting place to gather frequently. It was a small building not open to the public. Only the highest Priest was allow to enter one time a year. The Christians gathered out side in the patio of the temple. There wasn't any place in Jerusalem or around that could hold that many people. But as a public place, it was adequate to preach the message of salvation. To resume, the Church of the New Testament had two types of gatherings. The celebration gathering: that was done in public places. This was a massive gathering. Meetings at homes: that's nowadays, what we call cell groups. A small group meeting. The cell based churches around the world have their celebrations in their auditorium and in the home-based gatherings. Due to the the fact the the church from the New Testament did not have a building to gather, they were congregating in private houses owned by their followers (Acts 12:12, Romans 16:3-5, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 2)
The key of the growth for the New Testament church was that they knew how to keep balance between their small and big gatherings, celebrations and cell groups. For our congregation, during our cell group times we use all strategies, we are inclusive, and personal which allow us to multiply; is the best way to spread the love of God. We also find support in what life brings us. It is the best environment for personal growth. We all pray for each other and we share the life of Christ in a more natural way. This promotes unity and harmony in the Church. Each member has a voice to share, making our friendship stronger, and most of all, we work united on the mission to expand the kindness of God to the last corner of the world. Who are we? The Apostolic Church Jireh is a congregation that genuinely are transformed in mind, heart, soul and spirit. We have a passion for Christ, for that, we worship him in spirit and truth. We have great love for the people and we show it by being friendly and kind towards everyone. We equip our people to be strong leaders by helping them to discover their spiritual gifts. We share the story of our own transformation to others. We cultivate family relationships. We believe in taking care of creation which is a "matter of the gospel." The Gospel ("the good news" in Greek) are the teachings and revelations of Christ, the core of our Christian faith. The care of the creation is and it should be "an integral part of our mission and an expression of worship towards God for his marvelous plan and redemption through Christ Jesus. For that, our ministry of reconciliation is joy and hope and WE ARE WILLING TO CARE for the creation that God gave us. Beliefs:
ONE GOD, and his name is Jesus Christ because the Bible says: "Jesus Christ... this is the true God, and eternal life" 1John 5:20
SALVATION BY GRACE, through the faith on Jesus Christ. Because the Bible says: "for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
REPENTANCE AND THE BAPTISM in the name of Jesus Christ because the Bible says: "Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins" Acts 2:38
THE HOLY SPIRIT with the evidence of SPEAKING OTHER TONGUES, because the Bible says: "...and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts 2:38-39; "...and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" Acts 2:4
We believe and preach to LIVE IN HOLINESS, because the Bible says: "Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
Singing HAPPILY WITH JOY and CLAPPING our hands, because the Bible Says: "Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with voice of triumph!" Psalms 47:1
We have the power to HEAL ILLNESS, because the Bible says: "They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:18
On the RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND JUDGMENT, because the Bible says: "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened... and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books...and the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged... and the death and hades were cast into the lake of fire... and if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20: 11-15
JESUS CHRIST will come back soon to get his church, because the Bible says:
"Then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be brought up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:17
