The Table House
Our biblical foundation

Foundational Scriptures

We want our beliefs and our way of gathering to be shaped by Scripture. These passages explain the message of salvation and the pattern of church life we see in the book of Acts.

Love and the new birth

Where the journey begins

Matthew 22:37–40

Love is the foundation

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Why this matters

Everything begins with loving God and loving people. Our response to the gospel should flow from a heart that genuinely wants to know and obey Him.

John 3:5

Born of water and Spirit

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Why this matters

Jesus described the new birth as being born of water and of the Spirit. This is why water baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit are central to the New Testament message.

The gospel response

What must we do?

Acts 2:38–39

The gospel response

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
Why this matters

When the people asked what they should do, Peter answered plainly: repent, be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise was not limited to the first disciples.

Acts 2:4

The Holy Spirit received

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Why this matters

At Pentecost, speaking in other tongues was the outward and recognisable sign that the disciples had been filled with the Holy Spirit.

The witness in Acts

The same Spirit. The same recognisable experience.

Acts records people from different backgrounds receiving the same gift. Speaking in tongues was not attached to one nation or one moment; it accompanied the Holy Spirit being received by Jews, Gentiles and believers at Ephesus.

Acts 10:44–48

The same gift given to the Gentiles

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
Why this matters

Peter and the other believers knew that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit because they heard them speak with tongues. They were then commanded to be baptised.

Acts 19:1–6

Have you received the Holy Spirit?

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
Why this matters

These people already believed, but Paul still asked whether they had received the Holy Spirit. They were baptised again—this time in the name of Jesus—and spoke with tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Life together

The church around the table

Receiving salvation is the beginning. The book of Acts also shows how believers continued together and lived out their faith in everyday life.

Acts 2:42

Continuing together

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Why this matters

Salvation begins a shared life. The early church continued together in sound teaching, fellowship, meals, communion and prayer.

Acts 2:46–47

Faith lived from house to house

“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 this matters

This is the pattern that inspires The Table House: sincere faith, shared meals, gladness, worship and ordinary people opening their lives to one another.

Read it for yourself

The invitation is still open

We encourage every person to read these passages, consider the questions they raise and seek God for the experience He promised.

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