Decently And In Order

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

irst Corinthians 14:1-40, for the most part is a discussion of the nature and function of spiritual gifts. The use of a spiritual gift such as speaking in a language not previously learned was subject to regulation according to the apostle Paul. “If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret but if there be no interpreter let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” (1 Cor. 14:27-28).

The reason why tongue-speaking had to be regulated is explained: “If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all” (1 Cor. 14:23--24).

The ultimate reason behind the whole scenario of regulating the use of spiritual gifts is simply this: “But let all things be done decently and in order” (vs. 40). Can it be imagined what the Corinthian assemblies would have been like had Paul not taught the people to administer the things of the Lord with as little confusion as possible? After all it is said, “God is not a God of confusion, but of peace” (vs. 33).

Subject Developed

Concerning the phrase “decently and in order,” the

historian Josephus says “the Roman army did not erect its camp in disorderly parties.” and “...the Essenes only spoke in turn.” We have in the Corinthian epistle a specific context in which decency and orderliness is to be observed, but in fact there is a need for all things to be done in orderly fashion. Every congregation of the Lord's church today is under the apostolic admonition to follow this rule. To this there are no exceptions. Autonomy does not do away with the principle of orderliness. God's people are expected to know and understand the present application of this principle.

Congregational affairs must always be administered in such fashion that will permit peace and harmony to obtain. The business of the Lord is tremendously important, so much so that it must be handled with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness. While there is no obligation to be identical with the practices of the business world, simply because they are too harsh and mechanical, there is still the need to be well organized and efficient. One thing is for sure, if the affairs of the corporate world were handled like the affairs of the church are sometimes handled, we would be fired.

The Use of The New Testament

The New Testament was written not only to instruct us how to become Christians, but also how to live and conduct our affairs in a manner pleasing to the Lord. God's word has to be repeatedly consulted in order to

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