We live in a very different church world than the first century church. Our churches now are auditorium Christianity. A person stands in front of the auditorium and speaks. This isn’t all bad. After all, Paul stood in the front of synagogues and spoke and shared.
The difference is even the synagogues were much smaller. So much so that interaction could still happen.
In today’s church? If we have an encouraging word or testimony, it would be almost impossible to bring. It doesn’t fit the plan for the day or the schedule. It’s why we also need to be in small groups.
It is in small groups we can share with “one another.” It is in the smaller bodies of believers that we can exercise our gifts to the strengthen of each other. Large gatherings are ok, but smaller groups and lesser numbers are where life can happen.
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up (1 Cor 14:26).
For the church to truly be strong and to be built up, we need each other. And we need each other’s gifts.
The point of this section details that just because groups met in house churches or in smaller numbers, it didn’t mean everything was perfect. There were problems. In this case, people were speaking over each other and not waiting their turn. Spiritual arrogance had replaced the contributions through humility. Paul had to instruct them to use their gift, but do so by waiting their turn, and honoring one another.
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people” (1 Cor 14:27-33).
All the gifts should be used for the edification of the body. If people are speaking over one another, not letting others share, and just overall disregarding one another, the body isn’t getting built up. The purpose of the gifts is for the body to built up.
Truth be told, this kind of communion and fellowship and “one anothering” is something that people are longing for, especially in this digital age. We need more connection in the human realm, not less.
It is this connection that cults capitalize on. When someone’s salvation is tied into regular attendance at a temple or mosque or kingdom hall, then relationships form. These become the glue that holds people in place, unable to see things for what they are.
Many churches do this well with small groups, outreach teams, and more.
Let’s come back together. Not just for instruction from the person at the front, but where we can genuinely use our gifts to help strengthen one another.
What this looks like?
I don’t know, but let’s find out together.