Michael R. Baggett

"Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40)

What does this verse mean? Doing things "decently" means to "be done properly" (see NASB-1995). To do things "in order" means in an orderly fashion (see NASB-1995). This principle guides the local church in worship, elder's meeting, and any of the functions carried out by the local church.

What does it mean in the context? Paul, an apostle, is correcting the misuse of spiritual miraculous gifts in the Corinthian church. Some people were seeking significance through their gifts so there was jealousy and envy (see 1 Corinthians 12). Soon, prophesying, tongues, and inspired knowledge (all the miraculous gifts) would cease (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). New knowledge meaning spiritual truth, would fade away within 40 years; therefore, there can be no new doctrines today! Love will never fail, cease or vanish away. The Corinthians, therefore, are instructed to pursue love foremost (1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 14:1).

Prophesying was to be desired more than speaking in a tongue (a foreign language) (1 Corinthians 14:1, 5, 19, 39). However, the Corinthians placed undue importance on tongues in the assembly. Some of the members were praying in tongues without interpreting leaving the hearers without edification and understanding (1 Corinthians 14:1-12).

"What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding" (1 Corinthians 14:15).

What can we draw from these principles today? When men lead prayers in the local church, they should be loud enough to be understood. The words they use should be clearly audible to every member.  In a similar way, Paul told the Corinthians, "Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say 'Amen' at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified" (1 Corinthians 14:16-17).

Understanding is necessary to being edified. Being edified means being "built up" spiritually. Paul says we are to: "Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26, NKJV). A prayer that is not intelligible does not edify. Public prayer should not be mumbled and should not fade away at the end of each sentence. A prayer that is disorganized and repetitive is not edifying; therefore, it is not done properly or in an orderly manner.

The words of our prayers must be true to what the Bible teaches. If our prayers will be heard by the Heavenly Father, we must pray according to His will and not our wishes: "Now this is the confidence which we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14). Friends, prayers that ask for a deceased lost person's soul to be saved are not scriptural. A prayer that God will bless the preaching ministry of "sister James" will not be heard. Why? In example one the scriptures teach us the fate of the dead is fixed at death (Hebrews 9:27). Death comes and after this the judgment. There are no opportunities for salvation after death --today is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2). Concerning example two, Paul writes, "For it is shameful for women to speak in church" (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). The scriptures specifically forbid "...a woman to "teach or have authority over the man, but to be in silence" - quietness (see 1 Timothy 2:11-12-NKJV). A woman cannot be a preacher; therefore, we must not pray that God will bless what He has already forbidden a woman to do!

Paul discusses singing in worship: "I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding" (1 Corinthians 14:15-NKJV).

Song leaders must sing loudly enough to be heard. The songs should be songs the congregation knows. It is embarrassing for a song leader to lead a "foreign" song during the opening night of a gospel meeting! Will not the visitors think our songs are unplanned? The congregation cannot sing a song they do not know. The song leader is not there to sing solos but to lead the congregational singing in an orderly manner. Also, using over exaggerated hand gestures in leading songs can be both annoying and distracting.

Is there a proper order for hymns? Yes! Consider this: if we are about to observe the Lord's Supper, is it fitting to sing "When the Saints go Marching in"? The Lord's Supper song should cause us to reflect on Jesus' suffering for us on the cross. Hymns like "The Old Rugged Cross" fit the occasion well. What about the song of invitation? Is it not logical that an invitation song be one that invites the lost to respond to the "invitation'?  Songs like, "Oh, why not Tonight" or "Trust and Obey" suit the occasion. But what about "Angry Words" or "Sweet Hour of Prayer"? These are wonderful hymns, but do they admonish and exhort the sinners to become a Christian? The proper invitation song may sway the one "gripping the bench" to step out.

The Corinthians were exercising gifts in a way which created confusion. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). There were to be two or three speaking in a tongue having an interpreter taking turns one at a time. Having one prophesying or one praying at a time would prevent confusion and disorder. (1 Corinthians 14:26-32). Get this: those who exercised these gifts always had control over them! (1 Corinthians 14:32). I do not know how many times someone claiming to have a gift told they could not help shouting out loud! Churches that have clapping, shouting and people praying out loud individually during the worship only cause visitors to think they are out of their minds! (see 1 Corinthians 14:23).

These gifts do not exist today, but the principles of conduct will always hold true always. "Let all things be done decently and in order."