Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn
Ok question.. Grasshopper... we know from the context that when Paul is giving Church Order instructions he is definitly in the mindset of visitors showing up,,,, a scheduled meetings… we know from scriptures they gathered on the first day of the week... a scheduled church service.. whether it was in a home or wherever.. it was a scheduled meeting that took place on the first day of the week
this meeting your in reference to... no visitors would have shows up... it was unscheduled,, unannounced.. and therefore does not fit into the mindset or the framework of a "first day of the week church gathering"
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You’re seeing “church” as being a rigidly described “ritual” instead of a vibrant, flowing, river of life. Church was where ever they took it and gathered. Paul took church to these twelve disciples of John. The day, place, time, etc. doesn’t matter. They didn’t live their spiritual lives nailed down to that sort of thing. It was church on the move…a church without walls. Certainly they met in their homes at prescribed times for convenience and study…but that wasn’t the centerpiece or focus of their faith and practice. Sure, when Paul met the disciples of John in Ephesus it wasn’t a scheduled meeting…but that doesn’t matter. Paul indeed ministered to them in the Word, preaching the fullness of the Gospel, and they gladly received his message and obeyed the Apostolic Gospel. They were water baptized and when Paul laid hands on them they spoke with tongues and magnified God…and there were twelve of them. Bro…if what you’re saying is true, had these twelve people been “visitors” in a church, as you prescribe it, they wouldn’t have received the Holy Ghost in the gathering because tongues would have been forbidden.
Let’s look at Cornelius’ conversion….
Acts 10:19-48
{10:19} While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said
unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. {10:20} Arise
therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing: for I have sent them. {10:21} Then Peter went
down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius;
and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what [is] the cause
wherefore ye are come? {10:22} And they said, Cornelius
the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of
good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned
from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house,
and to hear words of thee. {10:23} Then called he them in,
and lodged [them.] And on the morrow Peter went away
with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied
him. {10:24} And the morrow after they entered into
Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called
together his kinsmen and near friends. {10:25} And as Peter
was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet,
and worshipped [him. ]{10:26} But Peter took him up,
saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. {10:27} And as
he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were
come together. {10:28} And he said unto them, Ye know
how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to
keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God
hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or
unclean. {10:29} Therefore came I [unto you] without
gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for
what intent ye have sent for me? {10:30} And Cornelius
said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the
ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood
before me in bright clothing, {10:31} And said, Cornelius,
thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance
in the sight of God. {10:32} Send therefore to Joppa, and
call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in
the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea side: who,
when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. {10:33}
Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well
done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here
present before God, to hear all things that are commanded
thee of God.
{10:34} Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: {10:35}
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him. {10:36} The word
which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching
peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all: ) {10:37} That
word, [I say,] ye know, which was published throughout all
Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which
John preached; {10:38} How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went
about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for God was with him. {10:39} And we are witnesses
of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and
in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
{10:40} Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him
openly; {10:41} Not to all the people, but unto witnesses
chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink
with him after he rose from the dead. {10:42} And he
commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that
it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of
quick and dead. {10:43} To him give all the prophets
witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him
shall receive remission of sins.
{10:44} While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy
Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. {10:45} And
they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as
many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. {10:46} For they
heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then
answered Peter, {10:47} Can any man forbid water, that
these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost as well as we? {10:48} And he commanded them to
be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him
to tarry certain days.
Peter and the converted Jewish brethren (the circumcision) went to Cornelius’ home to preach the Gospel to this Gentile. This was a scheduled meeting. Cornelius took opportunity to invite his family and close friends to this meeting. I assure you it was quite a meeting. Standing room only in the Cornelius’ household. I’m sure the food, the coffees, the bread, and the wine were wonderful! Because Italians really know how to treat guests. I can see the kids running around outside in the yard and the adults inside, reclining on pads on the floor…the entire house hold gazing up at Peter as he proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them. While Peter preached the Gospel the Holy Ghost fell on all those who were gathered to hear him. Cornelius, his family, and close friends all got the Holy Ghost. The Jewish disciples with Peter were astonished because this Gentile home had received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. How did they know? Be cause they, “heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God”. This whole house hold was speaking in tongues and praising God. In my mind’s eye I can see the kids leaving the ball they were kicking around and running up to the door way to see what all the noise was. Then Peter commanded that they should be baptized in Jesus name.
Bro…nowhere do we read that Peter rebuked them for all speaking in tongues…and here’s something else…they began speaking in tongues while Peter was a preachin’! LOLOLOL
So Bro….you can believe what you like…but I don’t see what you’re saying in Scripture. The rules Paul laid down was in respect to a specific manifestation of tongues, a message to the church, and it was to be done at most by three and an interpreter was required. These rules didn’t apply to initial infillings, or tongues used in prayer.