The public worship must be controlled enough that it conforms to what all worshipers can agree is God’s will. Take the Lord’s Supper? Yes. Sing Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs? Yes. Contribute according to your means? Yes. Offer a goat? No. Observe a Holy Day? No. The Bible says do everything for edification and in an orderly manner. The Bible says to create unity, no division.

“But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” 1 Cor. 14:40. In the context the women prophetesses could not speak as the men could, and the men could only speak in turn, one at a time, so that the people were being taught.

Confusion and division are the work of the devil. Anyone who exceeds what is written by adding a new thing to the worship we see in the New Testament is puffed up and threatens the unified cohesiveness of the body of Christ.

“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.” 1 Cor. 4:6.

In context Paul is talking about his authority as opposed to those who presumptuously and arrogantly add to the Word of God. This adding to the Word can be in the altering of the Gospel and it can be in the changing of the worship. The result is disunity and the breakdown of the church.

Christians worship together as we see by the guidance in singing and admonishing one another and in the waiting for the others in the breaking of the bread, 1 Cor. 14:33; Eph. 5:19.

The church was hurt in the past and it will be hurt today when men insist that they be allowed to blow on horns, bang on keys and skins, pluck on taut banjo strings, and shake canastas. These are noise. Noise does not speak with any more clarity that prophets and prophetesses who arrogantly shouted their messages at one time. Even legitimate teaching when all together just becomes a chorus of noise. Noise is not pleasing to God and it is not helpful to the hearer.

So in public worship, do what God has prescribed. Edify one another and give praise to God.

Categories: Uncategorized