The Corinthians practiced what are called participatory, open, or interactive meetings. Should we imitate them in this regard? The Bible gives us guidelines on how to have a church gathering. Found in 1 Co 14:26-40 begins with "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 five gifts of the ministry, nine gifts of the Spirit was working. Do you want to have CHURCH like this? "Well", Jesus already has built the rules but we have gone away from them.
In this verse, 1 Co 14:26 the apostle Paul was describing what church life was like for the Corinthians. It may come as a surprise to us to realize he did not say, "When you come together, the minister in charge has something to say. OR the pastor has a word of instruction." the early church saints were so full of what they had heard from God and the Holy Spirit had comforted it they couldn't wait to gather and speak what they had heard form the lord, through the week and that not having it written in a bible "but the Old testament only" and the Holy Spirit working with them giving utterance through the spirit. The Five hundred or more that saw him after his restoration to life had much to say. The world wouldn't hold the books that could be written. John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. KJV
All of the brethren at Corinth came ready to contribute something. Some might think that the Apostle Paul was criticizing the Corinthians for this. Perhaps there was some mild criticism intended, for as we read on, the apostle provides guidelines regarding who can speak, how often, and when. He restricted the number of those who could publicly speak in tongues and prophesy in a given meeting, (Notice But not in Acts Chapter 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.) and corrected the behavior of some. (Both Men and women)
But if there was any criticism intended in verse 1 Co 14:26, it was quite limited. He assumed the right of any of the brethren to speak in the meeting, Thus, his intent was merely to provide some corrections, "not to stop the "utterance of the spirit which created the written word". "That we read today." He did not mean to stop Praying in the Spirit.
This verse makes it startlingly clear that at Corinth, the right to publicly bring a teaching to the entire gathering church was not the exclusive right of one paid Elder or Pastor. Or a father Devine.
Col 3:16, we learn that things were apparently like that at Colosse, too: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (To all the people at Colosse.)
"Speak to one another,"
Paul also wrote in Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; KJV
Notice the emphasis on teaching "one another", and singing to "one another." would this leave the women out.
It is apparent that the way most of us have church gathering today is not "normal" in Old New Testament times. Early church meetings were a time when the everyday Christians contributed to the meetings. The right to teach in church was not the exclusive domain of the paid so called or those appointed who hired themselves and build their own church buildings . We see advantages in the way that the early Christians practiced church. Their gifts all (nine) were free to move in the Holy Spirit.
One of the first meeting two people fell dead for lying to Peter and the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:5 And Ananas hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. (Still want to have church like the early church.) Then tell the truth!!
Ephesians 4:10-13 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, Elders /( 5 ) pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: "Till" we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: So they actually lived it in their church meetings and in the streets of every city. Even in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Some say these five Gifts have been done away with which means we can't have meeting like the early church. So they are still canonizing the written word. Are could they are changing it?
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, (Charity is love in action) and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (? How can you if our leaders say there are no more five gifts? No more nine gifts, tongues, no more healing, no more apostles, teachers, "MY" what happened to the Gift of FAITH. Jesus said will I find faith when I come? Do you belong to the "Tombstone Church" Proverbs 9:18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell. (Hebrew Sheol) >The Grave ON earth. In other words where the spirit is quenched and your program has got in the way there is no more liberty in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spoke with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, "except" he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. ( You know someone might interpret> If you who think that you have power over Gods people and can stop someone from speaking tongues by the Spirit of God. You may be outside the camp of the saints.> (Church) except he interpret, except he interpret, IN CHURCH GATHERINGS!!! Both men and women.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Do you know what the Spirit is?) (It is not chanting words in writing in the old testament. It is the Gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus said it will testify of me. The Spirit is the word of God. God is a Spirit Jesus said.
Ephesians 6:17-19 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of (Notice)>out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." Out of your belly NIV) (Right in the gathering where two or more are I am in the mist of them. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, (JESUS) there am I in the midst of them.1 Corinthians 14:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Paul meant where ever I am. Jerusalem or Rome through out the world. We can have the same utterance when God gives the Spirit of utterance.
A supplication in the Spirit Done at home or at a Gatherin
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; (in or out of the gatherings) and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (Talk to one another.)
Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (This was written four hundred years before the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus.) A book of remeremberance is being written. From Jesus till he comes again.
SO THIS MUST BE A MEETING FULL OF EDIFYING ONE ANOTHER.
Corinthians 14:2 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies himself; (If he don't interpret,) but he that prophesies (In Your language) edifies the church that speaks the same language. (Any spiritual Person knows this Gift of tongues has been abused because of the lack of knowledge. But its still in the bible for all ages till Jesus comes.) If you don't have it you are not lost. "OK".But do all speak with tongues’NO Most of you are not permitted to say any thing in your gathering, "Please be quite ok.?? You are out of order!!" Mass is going on or my sermon being preached. If you have a growing in Christ problem, ware a baby christian diaper. "But I want to praise God." Go in the bath room then!! "No wonder people are coming out of the churches". They want to worship God in Spirit and in truth. Even if they have to do it at home without the fellowship of some. Some services or planned from January to December in a book, (so no need for the Spirit to interfere there "and he will not."
1 Corinthians 14:4 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit ("THIS SPIRIT IS NOT THE WRITTEN WORD BECAUSE" > ) he speaketh "mysteries." (We have secrets with God: Isn"t that wonderful!! I think it is a privilege to have a tongue from the Spirit in our gathering. Or at home alone. It’s a CONFIRMATION from God that he is in your PRAYER!! I mean a real one and not fake.This Verse is saying they are talking to God direct. WOW!!! And if it is interpreted we are saying words from God to those present in that meeting.("Of course there goes the canon of the bible out the window already written",) May be to only to one person or the whole gathering of people. This is not changing that which is already written. Can we praise God for this, "yes" don't silence him or her. This would be quenching the Holy Spirit. If you don't pray in the spirit you surely wont get an interpretation. Praying the bible verses in our own language is not what this means.
1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers (many) kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (Do we really want to have church gathering like the early CHURCH?) I SAY MOST PEOPLE DON'T. And most will be burned in the fire. Get ready the train is coming and JESUS is on it.) We must pray for god to activate his Spirit that is in us. Then the world will see Jesus was from God.
Jude 1:19-21 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (Wonder why he didn't say the written word. The Spirit was working in the early church meeting.) (These be they who separate themselves: From who? >The Elders of the early Church, Those that had heard Jesus) 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (There it is again!!) (The only written word they had was in these letters they wrote to one another and the old testament.) 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. KJV
1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, (MY WHAT?) but my understanding is unfruitful > Notice .(If they don't pray with the understanding don't Judge them "OK" praying in the Spirit is what we are to do . It helps our infirmity even. My spirit prayeth with the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, for our present needs. (Not quote scriptures) and I will pray with the understanding.= Knowing that the Spirit is making interception for me. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit, ( ( NEW SONGS ) and I will sing with the understanding also. (IN our Gatherings!!)
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the Spirit, (There it is again!!) (Written word? No) how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? So let tongues be they are for the unbelievers, 1 Corinthians14:39: "do not forbid speaking in tongues." if they unbelievers come to your gathering at times. Tell me how you can bless with the Spirit if you don't use it? How do you know if there is not an unbeliever in the room? Sorry but We have a need on this subject!
It is tough for one man to meet the teaching needs of everyone in his congregation alone. The early church gatherings, more than one person taught in the meetings, so that was not a concern. And since church leaders got to hear teaching from others, it was less likely that they had unmet spiritual needs. Is there a church leader on earth who is so mature that he cannot benefit from the teaching of others in his church? We doubt it.
We can imagine someone objecting, "we allow (women) others with the gift of teaching to teach in Sunday School, not in church." at least the members of some churches have some outlet for teaching one another. There were also opportunities to teach outside of church meetings in NT times. Something distantly kin to Sunday School, classes for new converts, arrived on the scene early. Paul held discussions daily in the Hall of Tyrannus, and others surely did similar things now and then. But Paul could not have been speaking of one of these ancient predecessors to Sunday School, because Acts 14:23 makes it very clear that he was writing about when the "whole church comes together!" And we know that Sunday school, invented less than 200 years ago, could not have been what He had in mind! No doubt, Paul was talking about church meetings, not Kingdom Hall meeting, for he used the word "church" seven times in this chapter!
And so we cannot avoid the conclusion that any man with the spiritual maturity to teach was welcome to bring a message in an early church meeting. In fact, since Paul does not limit the number of teachers who may speak, it probably often happened that more than one man would teach in a given meeting! A lot of good men have been put out of churches that are called of god to teach. No doubt, church meetings were different in the early days of the church. They were they better and healthier? I think that they were, at least after Paul got the Corinthians with these instructions. Otherwise, in the verses that follow verse 26, Paul would have steered the Corinthians more toward our modern way of doing things. But he didn't! If they would have had a program paul would have left not saying any thing.
This epistle was addressed not only to the early Corinthians, but to "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord". That would include us!)
1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. >(Let us pray the lords pray that the God of Heaven and earth will gather out of his church all things that offend that the kingdom may be purged and show the world that God sent Jesus to save the people and earth from destruction and his will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.
Dillard Munsell dillmunsell@yahoo.com Study with us 6:30 Wed.
