The question of where the first Christians met is indeed important, since the number of believers quickly reached several thousand (Acts 2.41 ; Acts 4.4) and Luke even states that “the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2.47). An ordinary private house could obviously no longer hold such a multitude. Several elements in the book of Acts nevertheless allow us to propose an answer.
-
The Temple as the main place of public gathering
Luke states several times that the believers were “together in the Temple every day” (Acts 2.46) and that they gathered in Solomon’s Portico (Acts 5.12). Situated on the eastern side of the esplanade, it was a vast covered colonnade able to hold a great number of people.
It is also in the Temple that Peter delivers his speech after the (Acts 3.11-26) and that the apostles continue to teach daily despite the persecutions (Acts 5.42). It therefore seems that the large assemblies, public preaching and probably some corporate prayers took place within the Temple precincts.
This situation is understandable. The first disciples did not yet consider themselves a religion distinct from Judaism; they continued to attend the Temple and to take part in the traditional hours of prayer (Acts 3.1).
-
Homes for fellowship
Luke adds, however, that they broke bread “in their homes” (Acts 2.46). The term is plural, which suggests the existence of many household meetings spread across Jerusalem.
The homes of some disciples could serve as gathering centers. Later, the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, would welcome many believers gathered in prayer (Acts 12.12). Likewise, the Church would meet in various homes throughout the Empire (Romans 16.5 ; 1 Corinthians 16.19 ; Colossians 4.15).
It is therefore likely that the fellowship meals, the deeper teaching and the prayer took place in multiple groups spread among the believers’ dwellings.
-
An already structured organization
With several thousand converts, the twelve apostles could not materially teach each believer individually. They probably addressed the crowd at the Temple, while the older disciples then passed this teaching on in the various homes. This rapid growth also explains the appointment of the seven servants in Acts 6.1-6, a sign that real organization was becoming necessary.
Conclusion
The first Christians probably did not have a single place of worship. The large teaching and prayer gatherings took place mainly on the Temple esplanade, notably in Solomon’s Portico (Acts 5.12), while fellowship, the breaking of bread and more personal instruction took place in many homes spread across Jerusalem (Acts 2.46). This combination of public gatherings at the Temple and house meetings enabled the early Church to absorb an exceptional growth that already numbered several thousand believers even before the first organized persecution.
Thus, contrary to the image of a community confined to a single “upper room,” the Church in Jerusalem appears as a vast network of believers living out their faith both in the Temple and in homes, under the direction of the apostles.