How do house feasts relate to the definition of a simple church? The Simple Church Network has asked us if we consider ourselves to fit within the definition of a simple church. Here is how we responded:

The Bible-Only Movement which we have initiated, starts and maintains house feasts worldwide. The Bible-Only Movement denotes the way of thinking by followers of King Jesus, namely, that they wish to live according to what the Bible prescribes, and the Bible alone! The name "house feasts" denotes the gatherings that result from this mind set. These family-based groups are supported through the various ministries, while the Swiss publisher East West Generation publishes materials required to successfully initiate and perpetuate the house feasts.

House feasts can partially be categorized under "simple churches". What we add to the network are Biblical materials such as apostles' doctrine (as prescribed in Acts 2), written for groups that can actively study these teachings. This means they do not need a preacher present at their house feast at all times. This allows them to succeed under any circumstance.

Applied to the house feasts, I will now respond to the characteristics of the simple church defined by the Simple Church Network:

1. Backbone of a church is in small groups of people (3-20 people). We acknowledge this statement as Biblical.

2. Christ-centred (seeking His direction and mission). According to the Bible-Only Movement, the Bible prescribes the preaching of the crucified Christ as the core of the Gospel. Because of that, all of our activities and statements are therefore Christ-centred indeed.

3. Relational. We see relationships among the members of Christ's church as being of vital importance. We are primarily focused on families that celebrate house feasts together, as Acts describes that the first believers gathered in homes on a daily basis. From this foundation that was already in place before the Bible was written (see Genesis 2:24), they spread the Gospel to those in their surroundings.

4. Mission minded. From their homes, the families first reach other family members (their Jerusalem), then their friends (their Judea), then their enemies (their Samaria) and finally the ends of their world.

5. Vision for reproduction or doing reproduction of disciples and small groups. In our handbook "Huisfeesten" (2008, English title "House feasts") we describe in detail how families can celebrate house feasts on a weekly basis, and how our publisher can support them in every possible way with starting and expanding it. This includes aiding groups in splitting up into more house feasts as they continue to grow.

6. Decentralised & no top-down control, but bottom-up serving and initiative, communion and baptism take place in the SC groups. In the "Huisfeesten" handbook we explain how East West Generation serves bottom-up and nonobtrusive. Acts describes how the Last Supper and baptism are integral parts of a house feast.

7. Network of simple churches & intentional relationships with other groups in the network. The Bible-Only Movement gathers in small groups. We notice that four types of Christian gatherings have evolved:

1. The Sunday services with during the week Bible study evenings.
2. The temple square feasts, conferences and large events.
3. The study gatherings, when a teacher teaches students.
4. The house feasts.

It is our calling to start and support these all over the world. We attempt to work towards letting these house feasts support, serve and meet each other.

8. No services in a congregational model as the main focus (there can be a kind of celebration once in a while). We take this one step further. All ministries have a responsibility and as a result we must do away with the upper hand of the teachers, which has become common in churches. God does not work through predefined schemas but rather wishes to let things go the way things go, the way He leads it. We do assume a basic set of ingredients as discussed in Acts 2.

9. No paid pastor (in the sense of paid pastor and pews, there can be a pastor who is paid and serve the different house churches by travelling, teaching & training). The Bible-Only Movement strongly asserts that paid leadership goes in against what the Bible teaches us about this. Indeed, payments to cover expenses are allowed.

10. No building as the central part of meeting for service. In principle, it is quite irrelevant whether groups meet in one home or that of someone else. God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Father of King Jesus, cannot be found in buildings as the Bible clearly states, rather it "warns" us that they are always too small to house His greatness. The "church" is the gathering of followers of Jesus Christ, not the building or place of gathering, though Acts 2 does mention that homes were usually the place where they met. In this aspect we can also relate to our Jewish brothers and sisters. After the temple was destroyed, it was decided that the home of every Jew is a temple and that the oldest male in the house assumes the role of priest. Naturally, our bodies are the temple nowadays, though we may perform duties in our house (including cooking and cleaning) as if we were performing our temple duties.

11. Apostolic model & one apostolic figure links the groups/people with each other. Yes, we agree with this. However, after the apostle has done the primary tasks regarding setting up the house feast, it is time for the other God-given ministries for the perfecting of the saints, which are those part of the family groups that gather in the homes. What remains vitally important is the apostles' teaching, which East West Generation provides through publications.

12. Intentional relationships model & multiple simple churches have intentional relationships with each other. We fully agree with this. The Holy Spirit guides the Body of Christ as the waters cover the bottom of the ocean. This is a worldwide phenomenon, with the Chinese house church movement setting the example for us right now.

13. Church of small groups & backbone is small groups and SC dna, but with regular gathering/meeting point with the whole network and likely more centrally defined leadership. Like the Sabbath is an example from the Old Testament for the celebrations of house feasts, the other six Biblical feasts are examples for international gatherings that spiritually enrich all house feasts. We do also believe that the Bible prescribes that gatherings should be enriched through an elder, as explained in Titus 1:6-9.