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Corinthians 14:40 says: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” What does
this mean for Christian culture? Some Christians seem to think that man-made
organisation stifles the Holy Spirit, and that we should simply let the Holy
Spirit do His thing, no matter what chaos might ensue.
John 3:8 is
a favourite verse for those who want man to take his hands off God’s Church. “The
wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where
it comes from and where it goes.” The passage actually refers to those who are
“born of the Spirit”, rather than the Holy Spirit himself, but even so, the
verse does not imply chaos and confusion.
Some
churches allow (and, in fact, encourage) a great deal of congregational
participation in their whole-church gatherings. In other churches, the minister
does everything, from beginning to end, and the congregation merely speaks and
sings what is written in their liturgy or hymnbooks. Either way, someone,
usually the senior minister, is ultimately responsible for the right and proper
running of church meetings.
Even in his
discussion of spiritual gifts in Christian gatherings, Paul insists on certain
constraints. Two or three can bring a message in tongues but someone must
interpret. Two prophetic messages cannot operate at the same time in the same
group.
Paul is not
putting himself over and above the Holy Spirit but he recognises that God
is a God of order.
In our
homes, our work/school and our church, Christian culture requires an
orderliness that honours God and allows things to be done with maximum
effectiveness. The Holy Spirit is not opposed to good policy and planning. To
follow His leading is not to abandon common sense.
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