Order in Worship

There are many gifts given by God, but prophecy (preaching/teaching today) is the most important because it is through this gift that God accomplishes three things necessary for the church:

Edification – building up the church

Exhortation – giving direction

Consolation – comforting

This is what the church needs to remain alive and growing.

I could add that in another passage Paul also says that preaching is important because it is the manner in which God calls men to be saved (I Corinthians 1:21).

The reason for this reminder was that in this congregation there existed a number of gifted men and women, and Paul had to teach them the true purpose and way to use their gifts.

Some were using their gift of preaching to debate and create a following.

Others were using their ability to speak in unlearned languages (tongues) to show off.

He begins, therefore, by teaching them the role of the primary gift, and from there moves on to explain the purpose and manner of usage for other gifts in the church.

The secondary theme that summarizes the second part of this chapter is found in verse 40.

In public gatherings of Christians for worship the guiding principles for conduct are:

Propriety – decency, graciousness, honor

Orderliness – arranged, orderly, opposite of confusion

The instructions he gives in verses 6-38 are those which will guarantee propriety and orderliness in the public assembly, especially among those who are misusing and misunderstanding the gifts of prophecy and tongues.

Review #1. The guiding principles for conduct in Christian worship are propriety and orderliness. True False

Purpose of Tongues

He begins by teaching them the two purposes for which the gift of tongues had been given.

He has already explained the purposes for the gift of prophecy, now he reviews with them the purposes for the gift of tongues.

1. For Instruction

Tongues was a gift through which the church received some form of instruction, but received it in a supernatural way (rather than simple, natural communication).

1 Corinthians 14:6 ESV

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

What good is the foreign language (tongues) I speak unless it instructs you in some manner?

Revelation – reveal what was until now unknown through divine inspiration.

Knowledge – ability to accumulate and analyze information accurately.

Prophecy – speaking God's word concerning the past, present and future.

Teaching – applying and explaining in practical terms the word of God.

If what I am saying does not serve you in one of these ways, what profit, what good is my speech?

1 Corinthians 14:7–8 ESV

7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?

Here Paul compares a language no one understands to different musical instruments.

He says that each instrument has a distinct and recognizable sound that helps the listener identify it

(i.e. the bugle is effective because its distinctive sound instructs you to prepare for battle).

1 Corinthians 14:9–11 ESV

9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

Now he demonstrates that language is the same.

Each language has its own "sound" or meaning.

Note that he refers to human language (verse 10).

If one understands the meaning or "sound" of that language, then that person receives instruction.

However, if people do not understand each others' languages (even if they know each other) it is like speaking to a Barbarian (or a foreigner)

– there is no understanding.

Remember that the purpose of tongues is for instruction, so if there is no understanding there is no instruction, and the purpose is defeated.

Review #2. Which of these was not a purpose of the gift of tongues? Revelation Teaching Position Prophecy

1 Corinthians 14:12–17 ESV

12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

He tells them not to be selfish, their gift needed to edify (or serve) the entire church not just themselves.

If they spoke in a tongue that no one (including themselves) understood, they might feel good inwardly that they were doing something special, but no one else was being served by it.

Paul encourages them to seek the complimentary gift of interpretation so that everyone could be blessed by the gift.

1 Corinthians 14:18–19 ESV

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Paul acknowledges that he possesses the gift of tongues more than they but if there are no interpreters for his tongues, he'd rather speak in their own language so they could understand what he was saying.

So the first purpose for this gift was to provide instruction and to do it in a miraculous way – not just to show off.

Review #3. The first purpose for the gift of tongues was to provide instruction in a miraculous way. True False

2. For a Sign

It was a gift that provided a sign to unbelievers that what was being said was from God.

1 Corinthians 14:20–22 ESV

20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

Paul explains that this miracle was prophesied long ago in connection with the coming of the gospel.

It would be a signal that the gospel was being preached. We know that the Apostles were the first to demonstrate it at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-42).

This also explained why this gift faded.

It was given as a sign that the promise of the Old Testament had finally arrived.

It was a gift more significant to the Jews than the Gentiles since it referred to Old Testament prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:23–25 ESV

23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Paul creates a scenario where an unbeliever (and one without miraculous gifts) enters a church where all speak tongues but there are no interpreters.

In a case like this the unbeliever would not understand, and probably think everyone was crazy because of the confusion.

But, if everyone prophesied in a language understood, this would convict and convert the unbeliever.

The equation then is that a tongue plus an interpretation equals a prophecy.

Once you have prophecy, tongues and interpretation are not necessary.

Instructions for Orderly Worship

Having explained the true purposes for the gifts (tongues/interpretation),

Paul now goes on to explain how orderly worship should be conducted.

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV

26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

Make sure that you are using your gift for the right purpose: to bless and build up the assembly.

1 Corinthians 14:27–35 ESV

27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Some basic rules of order in public worship:

1. Those who speak tongues should do it one at a time and no more than three with this gift should exercise it at one time.

After each speaks, the interpretation should be made by one person. It seems that the gift of interpretation was such that one person could interpret many kinds of tongues.

2. If no one can interpret, then this gift should not be used publicly since no one is edified.

The individual can only express it privately.

3. In the same way prophets need to take turns speaking, and when they are, what they say is to be judged (discerned) by the other prophets who have the gift of discernment or knowledge.

a. Preachers and teachers took turns in on-going preaching and teaching cycle, and were subject to each others' correction for the edification of the church and guarantee of correct doctrine.

b. Today we have the preachers and teachers teach at appointed times and they are subject to correction by each other, the elders and those in the congregation who have Bible knowledge.

4. Give the place to speak to the one that has a word from the Lord and do not all talk at the same time.

Every prophet has a chance to speak but there must be orderliness in the Lord's church whenever it meets (no shouting each other down).

5. Women, regardless of their gifts (whether they can speak in tongues, interpret or prophesy) are not permitted to exercise their gifts in the public assembly.

a. The Bible describes women who had gifts (Philip's daughters all prophesied) but Paul instructs them not to use them in the public assembly. It is improper to do so.

b. Gifts can be used with unbelievers (Aquila and Priscilla), children (Timothy) or other women (Lydia) but not in mixed public assembly.

1 Corinthians 14:36–38 ESV

36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

Paul anticipates protest over the things he has just instructed, and reminds them of the source of his own authority in these matters: the Lord Himself.

These instructions are not merely suggestions, they are commandments from the Lord. If one ignores these in worship then the worship is ignored by God.

(I Timothy 2:11-15 – eternal vs. cultural basis for teaching.)

1 Corinthians 14:39–40 ESV

39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

A summary statement

Tongues are not the preeminent gift and are the cause of problems, but this is not a reason to forbid their use.

Use them but do so in a proper way.Make sure everything is done in a proper and orderly way (meaning according to the instruction guide).

Review #4. Which of the following is correct regarding women who had spiritual gifts? Could use them in the assembly Had to refrain from using them at all times Could use them during worship if no one else with spiritual gifts was present Were not allowed to use them during public worship

Summary

We do not possess the miraculous gifts of tongues, interpretation, inspired prophecy, discernment or revelation today.

However, we can still accomplish the same goals that these gifts helped the early church to achieve.

Edification – build up

Exhortation – direct

Encouragement – comfort

Conviction – of sin

Conversion – to Christ

Today we have the word of God revealed and recorded in the Bible.

We also have preachers, teachers, elders, deacons and saints who through the ministry of this word:

1. Edify the church

Ephesians 4:12 ESV

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

2. Direct the church

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

3. Comfort the church

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

4. Convict sinners

Acts 2:37 ESV

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

5. Bring souls to Christ

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The miraculous gifts are gone but in their place we have the word of God that empowers us to accomplish the very same objectives.

And today we also have the same responsibility to conduct our assemblies in an orderly and decent fashion.

We do this with reverent behavior and modest dress (not just sexual concept of dressing but respectful dressing).

We do this by following Paul's instructions.

The preachers and teachers take turns in class and in the pulpit to minister the word.

Different teachers are used at different times.

Those who oversee and those who have Bible knowledge examine carefully what is taught.

The women exercise their talents in a proper way and proper time.

All is done in a respectful and orderly fashion.

Finally, we never allow a meeting time to pass without offering the opportunity for the convicted of sin or convinced by the gospel to come before the assembly to acknowledge this and request prayer or baptism.

We do all of this how?

Through miracles? No.

Through the preaching and teaching of God's word.

Review #5. Today, what has replaced the use for miraculous gifts in the church? The eldership The preacher The Bible The Spirit

Decent and Orderly Today Includes:

Reverent Behavior

Modesty

Organized Teaching

Oversight by the Elders

Men and Women in Proper Roles for Public Worship

Encouragement to be Saved or Restored

Next Week’s Reading Assignment

1 Corinthians 16:1–24

Preparation Question B4 Class

"1 Corinthians 16 discusses various instructions and greetings from Paul. Reflecting on verses 13-14, where Paul advises, 'Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love,' how can you apply these principles in your own life today? Provide specific examples."