When did the church start to meet in buildings called churches as they first started meeting in homes in the book of Acts?

Answer 1

Church Buildings, as we know them in our societies today, did not exist in the Early Church, but Synagogues did among the Jewish people. It should be realized that in a few weeks time that about 25,000 were added to the church as it started in Jerusalem.

This should give an understanding that the word church does not mean a building in the Scriptures, but it means an assembly or gathering of people together. That is what the Greek word for church, ekklesia, means.

The first gathering in the upper room in Acts 1 had about 120 people. That's quite a few, and required a fairly large place. Some disciples, who were well-off, often would submit their homes for use by the church. By the time that the Church at Antioch of Syria gathered, it states in Acts 11:19-21 that "a great number [had] believed, and turned unto the Lord."

It would make sense that ultimately the church would meet in buildings, similar to the synagogues which existed in those days. Yet the Scriptures make little mention of such buildings. However, the term "house of God" was used a few times.

Paul relates to Timothy, that his purpose in writing is "that thou mayest know how to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:15. This was at the great church of Ephesus, where Paul had spent 3 years establishing and instructing them. There had to be sufficient room for them to meet regularly.

While Peter mentions that "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God," yet the context indicates that He is talking directly about people, not buildings. See 1 Peter 4:16,17, KJV.

We make much fuss over buildings today and almost animate them or give them much prominence to the neglect of what's truly important, but the significant purpose of the church is to bring salvation and spiritual blessings to people.