1 Corinthians 14 then and now...
(This is adapted from the book “ekklesia” by Steve Atkerson)
How the New Testament church met:
“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
How the church meets today:
What shall we say then, brothers? When you come together, the worship leader has hymns and the pastor has a word of instruction. Both of these things must be done for the conducting of the worship service.
If anyone besides the pastor has a word of instruction, let him keep quiet. Let him sit in the pew, and face the back of the neck of the person sitting in front of him.
Let the people keep silent in the churches; for they are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission to the pastor, as church tradition says. If they want to inquire about something, let them ask the pastor after the service, for it is disgraceful for a layperson to speak in the church. For the pastor is ordained and has a seminary degree and the layperson does not.
If anyone desires to remain a church member in good standing, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the command of the denominational headquarters. If he ignores this, he himself will be promptly escorted out the door by the ushers.
Therefore, my brothers, don’t be eager to speak in the church meeting. Let all things be done decently and in the order in which it has been written in the church bulletin.
How the New Testament church met:
“What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
How the church meets today:
What shall we say then, brothers? When you come together, the worship leader has hymns and the pastor has a word of instruction. Both of these things must be done for the conducting of the worship service.
If anyone besides the pastor has a word of instruction, let him keep quiet. Let him sit in the pew, and face the back of the neck of the person sitting in front of him.
Let the people keep silent in the churches; for they are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission to the pastor, as church tradition says. If they want to inquire about something, let them ask the pastor after the service, for it is disgraceful for a layperson to speak in the church. For the pastor is ordained and has a seminary degree and the layperson does not.
If anyone desires to remain a church member in good standing, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the command of the denominational headquarters. If he ignores this, he himself will be promptly escorted out the door by the ushers.
Therefore, my brothers, don’t be eager to speak in the church meeting. Let all things be done decently and in the order in which it has been written in the church bulletin.
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