Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order

[Mr. M]

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

By what means are we to assure ourselves that our gatherings meet this requirement?

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:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, 

has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. 

Let all things be done for edification.

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1 Corinthians 16:

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 

14 Let all that you do be done with love.

[Mr. M]

Just now, Mr. M said:

:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, 

has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. 

Let all things be done for edification.

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however,

in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 In the law it is written:

“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”

says the Lord.

22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe

but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but

for those who believe. 

23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place,

and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed

or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in,

he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 

25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so,

falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

[Mr. M]

3 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

By what means are we to assure ourselves that our gatherings meet this requirement?

27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most

three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 

28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church,

and let him speak to himself and to God. 

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 

30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, 

let the first keep silent. 

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn

and all may be encouraged. 

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 

33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, 

as in all the churches of the saints.

[D. Adrien]

Many Churches, one Temple?

1Cor. 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

[AdHoc]

27 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

Many Churches, one Temple?

1Cor. 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

You've hit on a grand truth here - one that is not much discussed. Scripture speaks of THE Church, and then equally speaks of the CHURCHES. Then it goes even further to speak of the many Temples in one Assembly. There is thus a UNIVERSAL Church. There is a LOCAL Church. Then there is, within the gathering, as John 14, "many abodes" (the word "mansions" is not warranted) - all playing their role in God's plan.** Israel is called "the Church", but only in the wilderness, for there they gathered around the central point - the Tabernacle, which is called God's House (Judg.18:31, etc.)

Today, God has indicated that the House made with hands does not fit the New Testament economy. He dwells no more WITH men, but IN men. Christians have not been taught this. Many of them seek a building where they can worship. They call the building "the Church" and replace Moses with self imposed laws. Instead, Paul was sent to reveal what God is doing and wants. He taught

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ IN you, the hope of glory: (Col 1:27).

 

** I am aware that Christians say that John 14 concerns heaven. But scripture NEVER calls heaven the House of God. God might dwell there, and it is surely His Throne, but the term, "The House of God" is, without exception, (i) The Tabernacle of the wilderness, (ii) Solomon's Temple, (iii) Zerubbabel's Temple, (iv) Christ's Body, (v) the Church (1st Tim.3:15). The grammar of John 14 is that Christ would go to prepare an abode " ... that we may BE (future tense) where He WAS (present tense)" and the text tells us where He WAS (at the time of speaking). "In the father and the Father in Him - vs.10, 20). Christ fulfilled the predicted journey of John 14 in four days - not 2,000 years. He went to death to remove the thing that hindered God from living in us - sin. He rose and told Mary that she was not to touch Him as He had not YET ascended to His Father (Jn.20:17), but that He was about to do it. That night he appeared to His disciples and commanded them to touch and handle Him. He had been to the Father. The "abodes" were prepared as the Father accepted His blood (Hebrews). All that was needed was Him to blow the Holy Spirit INTO His disciples. In that hour they had Christ in them, the Father in them and they were IN the Father. The many "abodes" in the Father's House were filled.

[D. Adrien]

And judgement begins with the household of God.

31 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

You've hit on a grand truth here - one that is not much discussed. Scripture speaks of THE Church, and then equally speaks of the CHURCHES. Then it goes even further to speak of the many Temples in one Assembly. There is thus a UNIVERSAL Church. There is a LOCAL Church. Then there is, within the gathering, as John 14, "many abodes" (the word "mansions" is not warranted) - all playing their role in God's plan.** Israel is called "the Church", but only in the wilderness, for there they gathered around the central point - the Tabernacle, which is called God's House (Judg.18:31, etc.)

Today, God has indicated that the House made with hands does not fit the New Testament economy. He dwells no more WITH men, but IN men. Christians have not been taught this. Many of them seek a building where they can worship. They call the building "the Church" and replace Moses with self imposed laws. Instead, Paul was sent to reveal what God is doing and wants. He taught

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ IN you, the hope of glory: (Col 1:27).

 

** I am aware that Christians say that John 14 concerns heaven. But scripture NEVER calls heaven the House of God. God might dwell there, and it is surely His Throne, but the term, "The House of God" is, without exception, (i) The Tabernacle of the wilderness, (ii) Solomon's Temple, (iii) Zerubbabel's Temple, (iv) Christ's Body, (v) the Church (1st Tim.3:15). The grammar of John 14 is that Christ would go to prepare an abode " ... that we may BE (future tense) where He WAS (present tense)" and the text tells us where He WAS (at the time of speaking). "In the father and the Father in Him - vs.10, 20). Christ fulfilled the predicted journey of John 14 in four days - not 2,000 years. He went to death to remove the thing that hindered God from living in us - sin. He rose and told Mary that she was not to touch Him as He had not YET ascended to His Father (Jn.20:17), but that He was about to do it. That night he appeared to His disciples and commanded them to touch and handle Him. He had been to the Father. The "abodes" were prepared as the Father accepted His blood (Hebrews). All that was needed was Him to blow the Holy Spirit INTO His disciples. In that hour they had Christ in them, the Father in them and they were IN the Father. The many "abodes" in the Father's House were filled.

And judgement begins with the household of God. 

[Mr. M]

1 hour ago, D. Adrien said:

Many Churches, one Temple?

1Cor. 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

The scriptures under discussion are only functional in the house 🏠 church model of the Early Church. A model and guidelines for orderly meetings. 

In synagogues they follow a guideline called the minyan, a minimum number of adults to pray certain Torah portions. Paul's guidelines suggest a maximum, that all may participate.

The concept of a universal church would not apply, but the Holy Spirit Anointing on the group would be mandatory to meet these desired standards for edification and order. Thoughts? Lengthy passages in posts 2 & 3 were added for consideration.

 

[D. Adrien]

I'm just trying to get an understanding about the differences in format. So many churches and from what I see, or hear, the music may vary widely. I'm not a fan of light shows and pop music for worshipping the Almighty. 

[Mr. M]

1 minute ago, D. Adrien said:

I'm just trying to get an understanding about the differences in format. So many churches and from what I see, or hear, the music may vary widely. I'm not a fan of light shows and pop music for worshipping the Almighty. 

Right. A lot of things that are not addressed in 1 Co 14. Not that they should be condemned in practice, but as less essential.

[AdHoc]

2 hours ago, D. Adrien said:

I'm just trying to get an understanding about the differences in format. So many churches and from what I see, or hear, the music may vary widely. I'm not a fan of light shows and pop music for worshipping the Almighty. 

 

2 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Right. A lot of things that are not addressed in 1 Co 14. Not that they should be condemned in practice, but as less essential.

The Lord introduced His Church in Matthew 16. The Church will be built on two pillars;
1. Men in resurrection (it is the Gates of HADES, not "hell").
2. Church government. Who is disciplined by the Church will be equally recorded in heaven

Matthew 18 expands on Church government. The way of reconciliation is first, then excommunication if it is ignored.

But, while the Head, Jesus, introduces the Church, it is given to Paul to show Christ and the Church in action. The grand process is found in Ephesians 4. We are to keep the unity already established by the Spirit while the HEAD (Jesus) gives the gifted ones His supply. Then, the gifted ones, under inspiration, supply the Body. The goal is twofold;
1. Come to a point where everyone holds the same doctrine (called; "The UNITY of the THE faith)
2. Every member comes to maturity in living their lives in a Christ-like way

The elders are there to make sure that there is order so that the gifted ones can function. The first attack of the enemy was the Nicolaitan system. Certain men who were charismatic and even gifted, but who sought their own preeminence, proposed that the immature and slow and those with other gifts should not waste the meeting with unlearned opinions. Thus, the mouth of 90% of the Assembly is stopped and the system of Ephesians 4 crumbles. The result is the opposite of what the Nicolaitans proposed. The ordinary member does not seek his supply from Christ and becomes passive in the meetings. The supply from Christ to ALL the member is cut off and no-one comes to maturity.

The Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but this grand principle of Ephesians 4 is found in Israel's tithing. Three times a year are all males (the inheritors) to go to "the place where Jehovah put His Name" and are to use the tithe to feast with. And this feast was to extend to all Israelites. The fruit of the Good Land was made possible by God and it was to be used for everyone. The Law governing this was simple: "Let no man appear before God EMPTY-HANDED (Dt 16:16–17). 

16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

The produce of the Good Land was God's supply (v.17). The giver of tithes was the main eater, but his abundance  was passed on the priest, widow and orphan - the weak (Deut.14:29). And so it aught to be in the Church. Those who are given much by the Lord, are to give much in the assembly and those who have little must give little. But "empty-handed" is forbidden.

Nicolaitan is a compound word transliterated. It is built of "Nico", which means "victor", and "Laien", which means "the common man". Christ's revelation to Paul was that He would supply a big percentage. In verse 16 he speaks of "EVERY joint", "EVERY part" and "the WHOLE body". In 1st Corinthians 14 Paul says; "every one" and "you may ALL prophesy" (14:26, 31).