Do it Decently and in Order
美佳之窗 His Window 87（ Jul - Sep 2019 ）
Text by Rev Phan Wu Chung (Senior Pastor Mega CMC)
Translated by Stephen Cheng
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace...... But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly manner.” (1 Corinthians 14:33,40)
On 1st May this year, Mega CMC held a one full day Bible Exposition mainly to investigate the true meaning of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12-14.
The Scriptural Myths of the Bible
On that day, owing to time constraint, we did not go through the three chapters in detail. But, the most interesting chapter to touch on was 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, which say, “Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in the church meeting.” These 2 scriptures might trigger the women to be sensitive, and they don’t seem to be applicable in our modern era. Basing on the superficial meaning of the scriptures, women are not supposed to lead in church meetings, let alone preaching the sermons. Yet, they are clearly recorded in the Bible; if they are not carried out accordingly, does it mean that the Bible teaching is wrong?
Actually, it is quite complicated to explain these two scriptures. Inevitably, we even question the open-mindedness of Paul. In 1Corintians 11:5, Paul says that it is permissible for women to pray and preach, but with a covering on their heads. Yet, in the following chapters 12- 14, why did Paul forbid women from speaking at the meetings. Doesn’t it sound contradictory? Paul even claimed “that is what the law says”, but did not specify which law. Although we are doubtful over the contradiction, we need to understand the fact that at the time Paul was trying to resolve the debate on the issue of the spiritual gifts. Therefore, there was no reason why Paul should suddenly shift this topic to something which is irrelevant.
To uphold the public order of the meeting
D. Carson believes that the law mentioned here refers to the Old Testament, particularly on Genesis 2:21-24 regarding the order of creation. In Genesis, there is no mention about women not permitted to speak. Therefore, Paul basing on the order of creation, raised the issue that women should be submissive to men. Judging from the prophetic preaching of the Corinthian believers, Paul spoke on the authority of teaching and prophesying, and said that under such circumstance women should not speak up, comment or raise challenging questions. Paul did not indicate that women should not be learned; they could discuss or consult their husbands at home. Whereas, at the public meetings, Paul suggested that women should uphold the order of worship and the authority of preaching.
On the other hand, at that period of time, generally women did not have the opportunity to receive education. Their level of knowledge compared with men was considered low. Therefore, the contents of their prophesying or preaching might be doubtful and might create the atmosphere for the believers to be doubtful and ask unnecessary questions. From this perspective, the best way to resolve this issue once and for all was to forbid them from speaking up. Although Paul did encourage some women who were spiritually gifted to pray or preach in public places, we should not misunderstand Paul’s advocation on the significance of equality between men and women in Christ. (1 Corinthians 7:24) But, Paul’s meaning of equality should not be taken generally to allow any woman (including those who think they are more spiritual), to speak as they wished or disturb the order of the meetings.
Who should keep quiet?
Based on the above explanation, it is noted that Paul’s statement of “keeping quiet” is not only targeting the women. He also pointed out in response to the issue of speaking in tongues quoting 1 Corinthians 14:28, “If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church...” Paul commenting on prophesying, said if there was someone who received a revelation, then “the first speaker should stop.” (1 Corinthians 14:30) In other words, using the example of forbidding women to speak in worship places, Paul emphasized that people should realize that they should only speak appropriately in order not to create disorder at the meetings.
God is not a God of disorder but of peace
I think this is the reason why Paul specifically quoted “For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace”. Therefore, as from today, the principle of “keeping quiet” should be applicable to everyone including all men. If some people who are found not behaving appropriately, chatting and disturbing others in worship, or trying to teach wrong Christian doctrines among the believers, we should stop them.
Perhaps, churches today do not have the problems that the Corinthian church had to face (debating the spiritual gifts). When we talk about the “Order of Worship”, it does not refer only to the worship order, but it also state clearly that there are rules and orders to be respected and seriously executed.
At the right time, do the right thing
I notice a common phenomenon during the church service; some worshippers use their handphones to read the Facebook, play computer games or even answer phone calls. This type of behavior not only does not show respect to the worship leader, but more seriously it does not respect God! Although this conduct does not make a sound, their movements of using the phones does somewhat disturb other solemn worshippers. Ask ourselves, “Is it very difficult for us to spend two hours to properly worship God? Does God really make you feel so bored, that you have to use your handphone to pass time?” To show reverence to God, you might agree not to use the phone during the church service, but to do it after or before the service. We should ask ourselves this question, “Every week, you meet the church brothers and sisters only on Sunday. Don’t you consider that is a valuable time to socialize and fellowship with them? Is it really so boring to engage with them that you need to use your handphone to entertain yourself?”
In short, it is not a question of can or cannot, rather it is a question of should or should not. The saying “All things should be conducted according to the set rules” is not a rigid command, but a lesson that we should pursue to learn “ to do the right thing at the right time.”