1 Corinthians 14:26-40 How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation… Paul considered that — I. IT MIGHT BE ADDRESSED BY SEVERAL SPEAKERS (vers. 27, 29). If this be so — 1. Should Christian teaching be regarded us a profession? It is so now. Men are brought up to it, and live by it as doctors, lawyers, etc. Surely the preaching of the gospel should no more be regarded as a profession than the talk of loving parents to their children. 2. Is the Church justified in confining its ministry to one man? In most congregations there are some who, besides the stated minister, are qualified to instruct, comfort, etc. And is it not incumbent on every Christian to preach, i.e., call sinners to repentance? II. IT MIGHT ALLOW ITS GODLY MEN TO SPEAK ON THE INSPIRATION OF THE MOMENT (ver. 30). May it not be that under every discourse some one or more should be so Divinely excited with a rush of holy thought as to crave for utterance not for his own sake, but for that of others? Why, then, should he not have the opportunity? What an interest such an event would add to a religious service! III. IT SHOULD SUBMIT THE UTTERANCES OF ITS TEACHERS TO A DEVOUT CRITICAL JUDGMENT. "Let others discern (or discriminate)" (R.V.). The people were not to accept as a matter of course all that was spoken; they were to act as the Bereans. IV. IT SHOULD IN ALL ITS SERVICES MAINTAIN ORDER (vers. 32, 33). A true teacher, however full of inspiration, will so master his impulses as to prevent confusion. Notwithstanding all the liberty of teaching, all the enthusiam of the new life, where Christianity reigns there will be no disorder. There is order in dead mechanism, and there is ,order, too, in the roar of the ocean and in the thunderstorm. All that is Divine is under law. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. |
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