Where and how did followers of the way meet in the 1st century?

Act 20:20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Act 2:41-47Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Why did they not build church buildings? Is God pleased with our little empires we build “for him”? Our church cafes, food courts,  church recreation centers, special programs, plush carpets, theatre seating, state-of-the-art play areas for our children? Are these really for him, or for our worship environment to be more pleasant, comfortable, and convenient?

Act 17:24-31
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Reader, it’s time to repent from assuming that God accepts all those seemingly good intentions as long as we are doing it “for him”. Israel tried to make things convenient by setting up the golden calf since they wanted to experience worshipping God in their own flesh; also by building synagogues when Jerusalem was seemingly too far for them to travel.  The moneychangers in the temple thought they would make it easier for the people so they didn’t have to bring their own sacrifice. But we see how Christ reacted to them:

Mat 21:12-15 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased.

It is not our sacrifices that he desires.  Not “do this for the Lord” “do that for the Lord” “go here for the Lord” “go there for the Lord”  But he desires mercy:

Hos 6:6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Mat 9:13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

After casting the moneychangers out of the temple, we see those of a poor and contrite spirit coming to him for healing and children worshipping him just for who he is. He desires mercy not our sacrifices(seemingly good works, our building and devising things for him).

Psa 51:15-17O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Joh 4:19-24The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Brethren, our Father in heaven desires a sincere heart, sincere lips, and a walking in this life of righteousness(obedience)according to truth and led by his Holy Spirit. Amen