Decently and in Order

By Doug Cook

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

1 Corinthians 14:40

Did you know that the Lord has guidelines to follow when believers meet together in fellowship with one another?  Have you ever heard of them or even know what they are?  Has your pastor or anyone you ever listen to in a pulpit preach on them, let alone actually put them into practice?

Pick any religious service from any sect on any Sunday morning (or Saturday morning in some factions) and you most likely see the same “order” consistently observed each and every week.  Allow me to see how close I come to describing the order you observe every week.  Services usually begin with announcements followed by three or four hymns sung by the congregation.  This is trailed by prayer(s) and then a few words or scripture presented about how Churchgoers are supposed to give (their tithe!) which immediately paves the way to passing of the offering plate to all in attendance. The church choir then presents its special music for the day pursued by the pastor submitting his prepared teaching for the week.  At the close of his message he gives an opportunity for those wanting to join their church to come forward during an invitation hymn.  New “members” are welcomed and then the conclusion is offered usually accompanied with some sort of doxology and the service is completed with all those in attendance returning home feeling good about themselves.  Did I leave anything out?  Is this the “order” God is referring to in 1 Corinthians? Have you ever stopped to consider how many “Christians” are just following the weekly ritual (or should I say weakly following the ritual) and how many are actually maturing to be more like Christ as is should be the standard?

1 Corinthians chapter 14 is perhaps the best place to discover how the Lord expects us to conduct our behavior while fellowshipping with other believers.  If we scrutinize it close enough we will discover, as should be occurring in our normal every day “Christian” activities, it is all about concerning ourselves with the needs of others rather than gratifying our own wants and desires.  Being “others minded” is obviously a strange, unfamiliar phenomenon in the church of Jesus Christ these days epitomized by the plethora of factious denominations created to separate us from unity in the body of Christ for the express purpose of satisfying “ME” and the dogma “I” chose to follow that fits “MY” lifestyle.  Let’s take a look intently at what it has to say.

1Corinthians 14:1-25 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.  6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?  7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?  9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.  10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.  11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.  12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.  13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.  14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  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, and I will sing with the understanding also.  16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?  17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.  18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.  20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.  21 In the law it is written (Isaiah 28:11), With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.  22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.  23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?  24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:  25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

The first thing we should notice is that over two thirds of chapter 14 is used for instruction about when we are to speak, pray or sing in tongues or prophesy.  This must mean it is a great concern of the Lord that this could be done improperly and cause difficulty with others around us at the time, especially unbelievers.  However, the most obvious point is that if the Lord is this apprehensive about the act of speaking in tongues and prophecy, why do so many of the “ME” centered denominations refuse to speak in tongues or utilize prophecy?  Why have they eliminated these biblical gifts from their dogma?  Does the denominational Jesus they created not want them to speak in tongues or utilize the office of a prophet?  Brothers and sisters speaking in tongues is biblical evidence that we have the Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit) dwelling within us to help empower believers to walk in the spirit as the true Jesus of the bible walked.  If the Lord didn’t want us to speak in tongues or prophesy, He wouldn’t have so much written about it in the bible, Old and New Covenant!  Paul also stated here in verse five he wished ALL of us Christians spoke in tongues and that he himself spoke in tongues more than all the others.  We should question anyone’s true “spiritual” walk who refers to themselves as a believer (has the Spirit of Christ) but who refuses to accept God’s Spirit of Truth (Holy Spirit) in their hearts also.

When we speak in tongues in the spirit we speak mysteries and no one understands what we are saying.  This is why if we use tongues in a public setting (fellowship) we need to be able to interpret or have an interpreter present to interpret the message the Holy Spirit is speaking through us.  If there is no interpreter present then it is better if a communication in tongues is not given and the person should only speak to themselves and not out loud where others can hear.  This is why He says it is better to prophesy unless the tongues are interpreted.  He did not say NOT to speak in tongues; he just said it was best to only prophesy if no interpretation was possible.  Interpretation of tongues edifies everyone listening where tongues alone only edifies the one speaking (unless it is interpreted).  Prophecy edifies all even the unbelievers because it is spoken in the local language and, if given properly, it should be a word directly from the Lord.

Believers we should be having prophetic words and messages in tongues given at least some of the time in our fellowships.  If not, we are not committed to the ways of the Lord and are varying from biblical practices that have been in place since Christ began His Church.

1Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

This is a critically important yet blatantly overlooked verse.  How many “churches” do you see follow this verse in their fellowships?  Any?  There is only one congregation I attended once that allowed input from believers in the pews and I have attended many groups from many sects (denominations).  When the Lord pulled me out of the church denominational system and directed me to start a fellowship I was determined to do what this verse said to do.  It says wherever believers come together “every one of you” has some little something to contribute.  When the Holy Spirit passes out gifting s He gives every one in the Body of Christ different gifts for the specific purpose of ministering to the rest of the body.  Our gift is NOT for us to proudly show off but to use for the sole purpose of edifying everyone else in Christ’s church.  DON’T listen to the people that tell you to “line up with the pastor’s vision,” that is a lie from the pits of Hell, we are to line up with the gifting and calling the Spirit gave to each of us individually. But in order for us to utilize our individual gift it sometimes requires sharing in fellowships.  In our fellowship I was the one called to lead and give a message, but the message was always given in a two way setting allowing input during the delivery.  Everyone was allowed to participate if God gave them a scripture, revelation, or information about the topic the Holy Spirit was covering that day.  I tried to give everyone the opportunity to share with the others anything the Lord was directing them to share as long as they were edifying the others in the group and because of this there were no structured time limits.  Sometimes the fellowship lasted three hours and sometimes five, depending on how the Holy Spirit was moving.  However, there are exceptions to this “every one of you” as outlined in verse 34-35 further down this study.  We must keep this verse in context with the whole chapter.

1Corinthians 14:27-28  If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; 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.

We’ve already covered the speaking in tongues topic, but these verses are specifically directing the leader to only allow two or at most three messages in tongues to be given in each meeting or fellowship when an interpretation is also given.  In other words, the fellowship time is not to be dominated by a lot of believers giving messages in tongues even if they are interpreted.  This is up to the leader to make sure the meeting stays in God’s order.

1Corinthians 14:29-33 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

This also is a verse directed to the leader of a fellowship.  It also seems the Lord doesn’t want a meeting dominated by prophecies either.  It specifically says to limit the prophetic words given to two or three and the other prophets sitting by are to judge the prophetic word coming forth.  The bible says we “prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9) so every prophecy needs to be judged by the bible.  It says if another prophet or leader was given a revelation about the prophetic word being given, the first prophet is to yield and hold his peace (be quiet)… Can you imagine that?  Have you seen how many so called prophets these days with egos that won’t let them yield because they think they are the only one’s with the right answer?  Probably as many as there are denominated believers whose egos won’t let them yield because they think they’re the only ones with the right answer.  This would be the leader’s job to decide which prophets have crucified their egos enough to edify the church.  The ultimate goal would be “that all may learn, and all may be comforted” not so that the prophets can pacify their egos.

“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”  This statement can be taken two ways and both ways are right.  The first way is that the spirit of the prophet giving the message at the time is subject to the other prophets sitting by listening.  In other words the method and meaning given by the prophet is subject to the scrutiny of the other prophets for accuracy and attitude of the prophet giving the Word from God.  If attitude or interpretation is judged to be wrong then the other prophets should address that instantly so correction can be made.  The second way to interpret this statement is that the spirit of the prophet giving the message is subject to the attitude of his own personal spirit or belief.  If the prophet is yoked to a religion, denomination or dogma, that credence will alter the message given because of what he already believes.  This is called “prophesying in part” and is why the message should be judged by others so any denominational doctrines influence can be screened out of the prophetic word.  “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” if the prophecies are altered by false beliefs or denominational dogma it causes confusion with the brethren which is why the leader should have all prophetic words judged.

1Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

For all you leaders, here is one of the most disobeyed verses in the bible these days.  How many churches have you visited that are in compliance with what is said here?  I have to give credit where credit is due.  In the few Mennonite buildings I have visited, none of the women are allowed to speak during their meetings.  The Mennonite sects have many un-biblical doctrines and traditions of men they follow as works of the law, but their women do obey this verse.  As is true in all denominations they do have some things they are doing biblically where they are obeying God and the bible.  Earlier I stated in the verse 26 paragraph there was an exception to the “every one of you” should participate in the meetings.  That exception is that the women are to keep silent so the statement means every one of you men.  This verse is very plain in that it says “it is not permitted unto them to speak. For it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”  I don’t know how much plainer the Lord can make it.  I fail to understand how a woman these days can claim to be a pastor or elder and speak from the pulpit in any kind of church setting and obey this commandment of the Lord, much less obey 1 Timothy 2:12 “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”   Women are to be silent when they walk into a fellowship of believers in Christ and stay that way until they walk out.  The leader is under obligation and will be held accountable for enforcing this commandment of God in their fellowship just like all the other commands of God.  But know for certain the spirit of Jezebel will rise up and cause rebellion in every self-centered woman and the egocentric men they control attending your fellowship making statements like “I ain’t buying that” and refuse to attend any more because their total focus is only about themselves.  They will bring up 1 Corinthians 11:5 as justification for disregarding verse 34 above so I will list it here; “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”  They bring this up and say women can pray and prophesy so they can speak in church.  NO, it does not justify women speaking in church nor eliminate the command above.  When women truly prophesy in a fellowship it is the Lord speaking through them NOT themselves speaking their opinions and when they pray they are speaking directly to the Lord not trying to speak to others in the congregation and when they are praying in tongues they are again speaking the words of God himself, not their own words.  I would also add when hymns are sung in the group they are other peoples words not their own words and opinions they are singing.  However, 1 Corinthians 11 also states if they do prophesy or pray they are to cover their heads and hair which shows signs of submission to their husbands and to God.  If leaders want to have their fellowship be in order with the Lord, the women need to be silent and discuss any questions they may have with their husbands at home.

1Corinthians 14:36-37 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  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.

What?  You think God only prophesies through you only and you’re the only one with all the answers?  Are you the only one God is speaking to so you don’t need any correction?  That is what this verse is asking.  If any man (or woman) think they are super spiritual then they need to understand that these orders in operating the church are commandments directly from the Lord, which means if we don’t obey them we are in sin because “sin is the transgression of the law.”  So you leaders that don’t want to face the backlash of keeping the women silent in the fellowships, you are in sin just like the women that refuse to keep silent are in sin.  You leaders that don’t want to allow speaking in tongues or prophesying in your fellowships and denominations, you are in sin because you are breaking commandments of the Lord.  He is reinforcing that these instructions are not optional to pick and choose favorites; they are ALL commandments to be followed in the church.

1Corinthians 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

If you have never followed these commands because you have never heard of them, then you are ignorant, but not any more.  From now on you will be held responsible and you need to study this passage to write these commands on your heart.  And you leaders that read this, you need to covet prophecies in your fellowships and denominations and you need to quit forbidding your sheep to speak with tongues.  Leaders that read this article can never claim ignorance again and to whom much is given, much is required and you will be in sin if you continue to discourage or prohibit believers under your care to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues or prophesying.

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

This passage lays it out in fairly plain speech.  God wants His church operating decently and in order.  Can we find anywhere in the passage that means every week to sing three songs, take an offering, give a prayer, let the choir sing, let the pastor preach then depart the service by 12:00 pm just in time for lunch?  Brothers and sisters this is an order created by man not God.  To be decent and in order there needs to be interaction with all believers participating.  All the gifts of the Holy Spirit in all of the believers need to be operating.  The meetings are not run by clocks and programs but by the leading of the Spirit of God.  Back in the early 1900 revival in one city there were meetings being held every day for several weeks.  A lady said one day they would stand and sing hymns all day, the next day there was preaching, the next day there would be praying on their knees all day, and one day they stood in complete silence for the whole day and she said more was accomplished by the Spirit of God with the silence than with all the other things they did.  She didn’t mention one offering ever being taken.  I have experienced the Holy Spirit moving in our meetings where some go on for hours, some are not that long.  I have prepared messages that I never gave because the Holy Spirit moved in another direction.  I have had brothers drop by I have never seen before and gave the message for the meeting all by the leading of the Spirit.  It was amazing the prayers that were answered and growth in the attendee’s relationship with the Lord that occurred in the brothers and sisters that utilized their gifts and stayed faithful to the end.

The church today is oblivious in our worship of the Lord.  It’s incredible to experience the difference when we do it the Lords way:

Decently and in His order.

Your servant in Christ.