These Must Be Done

[dave c]

SHELTER MINISTRIES #124j Written 22MAY08 http://groups.msn.com/AHealingShelter/welcome.msnw

Chapter 14: Part Ten—These Must Be Done

by dave c

First Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. The same verse as quoted from the NIV: 14:26 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 of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

As we consider this verse, it is doubtful that Paul literally meant that every Christian assembled, or gathered together, was to have a psalm, and a teaching, and a revelation, and a tongue, and an interpretation (as the NASV might lead us to understand). The NIV most likely comes closer when it suggests that the Apostle’s intent in his letter to the Corinthians should be read as: “Whenever the church meets, there should be some sacred songs, some teachings, some timely forth-telling, and some speaking in tongues with interpretations.” We should take note that Paul’s exhortation communicates the idea that all those attending the church service should be willing to personally contribute to the proceedings when, and as, the Holy Spirit inspires them—we should not just depend upon the pastors and the worship team. It should also be noted that this verse is an indication that, while our services should contain a strong element of prayerful preparation, there should also be an allowance for spontaneity in the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit.

What are we to make of the last sentence of this verse? Let all things be done for edification (NASV), or, All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church (NIV). Most commentators state something to the effect of: “Paul is here saying that if there is spontaneous song, or teaching, or revelation, or speaking in tongues, or an interpretation—then it must be done for the edification of the church.” This is absolutely true, but we should understand that there’s an anti-charismatic spin lurking just below the surface of that statement in the pen of most non-Pentecostals. “If there were to be any spontaneous manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit during our church services (and there won’t be because the sign gifts ended after John died—or they ceased once the Canon of Scripture was closed in the 4th Century), they must be for the building up of the assembly (but we know that they wouldn’t because they would disrupt our carefully orchestrated liturgy).”

But what if….what if, when Paul says, “Let all things be done...”, or “All of these must be done…”, he was saying that in order for the church to be edified and strengthened there should be spontaneous singing of spiritual songs, there should be impromptu teachings, there should be shared revelations from God, and there should be speaking in tongues accompanied by ‘forth telling’ interpretations? And all from throughout the congregation, again, as inspired and as led by the Holy Spirit?

A number of the sign gift naysayers take a surprising position in their writings regarding verse 14:26. William Barclay, for example, has this to say on pages 134 and 135 of his the Letters to the Corinthians (Revised Edition; The Daily Study Bible Series; Westminster John Knox Press; Louisville, KY; 1975): “There was obviously a flexibility about the order of service in the early Church. Everything was informal enough to allow any man who felt that he had a message to give to give it. It may well be that we set far too much store on dignity and order nowadays, and have become the slaves of orders of service. The really notable thing about an early Church service must have been that almost everyone came feeling that he had both the privilege and the obligation of contributing something to it. A man did not come with the sole intention of being a passive listener; he came not only to receive but to give. Obviously this had its dangers, for it is clear that in Corinth there were those who were too fond of the sound of their own voices; but nonetheless the Church must have been in those days much more the real possession of the ordinary Christian. It may well be that the Church lost something when she delegated so much to the professional ministry and left so little to the ordinary Church member….”

The early Corinthian Church is most frequently described by contemporary speakers and writers as having been “out of control”, “lacking discipline”, “more interested in fireworks than substance”, etcetera. On the other hand, I once heard a pastor say something to the effect of, “I wish I had Paul’s problem of trying to calm down my congregation’s excitement during church services.” Try telling your spouse, “I desire your company only when you are doing what I want, as I want, and when I want—otherwise, please leave me alone.” Obviously, that would do little to increase emotional, physical, or spiritual intimacy. Yet, that is exactly what we do to God on a daily basis. Although William Barclay recognized that something has been lost in our assemblies, he was adamant in his condemnation of such manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as miraculous healings, speaking in tongues (whether followed by interpretations, or not), and spontaneous congregational prophecy. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is not our personal genie in a bottle whom we summon as we determine and who must grant our commands according to our desires and expectations. When leadership works to squelch the immediate presence of the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Sunday mornings, we should not be surprised to witness a passive church membership that also lacks the presence of the fruit of the Spirit throughout the week.