Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

This is the Biblical guide for a proper NT church service that would be pleasing to the Lord....

#1 - No speaking in tongues were to be allowed without an audible interpretation:

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Sounds like a Pentecostal service to me............ everyone speaking in tongues at the same time all over the buildings or around the Altar.....Paul rebukes you and commands the churches of God not to participate in such childishness

# 2 - There should be Prophesying - is there Prophesying in each of your services in Pentecost?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or [one] unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

# 3 - Revealing of the secrets of peoples hearts should be revealed in the services - this is what Bro. Branham did and the Pentecostals said it was witchcraft --

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

#4 - There should be limited music and singing

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm

#5 - There should be very limited speaking from among the congregation as in testimonies

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a Doctrine

# 6 - There should be very limited speaking in tongues

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a tongue

# 7 - Everything done in the service should be for the maturing of the body

Let all things be done unto edifying.

# 8 - No more than three messages in toungues should EVER be given, thus heavily discouraging the Pentecostal over use of tongues -

If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret.

# 9 - There should never be tongues without an interpretation

and let one interpret.

#10 - There should be silence rather than tongues if there is no one used in the gift of interpretation

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

#11 - There should be words of knowledge and wisdom.. and these should be judged before presented to the church

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

#12 - You should be still and hold your peace

If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

#13 - The church is the place for learning

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

#14 - There should be no out of control emotions... and the thinking that God has taken over you and you cannot help yourself

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

#15 - There should be nothing that would look like confusion, nothing out of control, nothing fleshly

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

#16 - The service should be a peaceful setting

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

#17 - There should be no women bringing forth the Word of God

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

#18 - Finally, nothing should ever be fleshly or demonstrative -- nothing should be out of godly order

Let all things be done decently and in order

If your services do not operate by the above guide given to us by Paul...are we in rebellion to Gods Word?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Are you an actor Dr. Vaughn?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Dr. Vaughn thinks we have to accept his interpetation of Paul's instructions to be correct. Dr. Vaughn Branham did not follow any of these. So what's with that?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

I don't see the purpose of your question

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Bro... Eply there was no interpretation.. I posted the scriptures plainly,, they need no interpretation.....

Please share where Bro. Branham violated these scriptures

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Thank goodness he forgot about the not getting drunk during communion part.


At least we still have that !!!

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

DV, I have to ask. You signed up here at AFF 2 days ago and already have 350 posts, do you have a life outside of the internet?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Brother you would love our church,,, we use real wine... and we use the common cup... so lots of drinking going on here... see I don't take all the fun out of church

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

On the church order tape he said for there to be NO tongues-interpetations-prophecies in a church service.
Paul said FORBID NOT TO SPEAK WITH TONGUES and Branham forbade to speak with tongues. I believe Paul and reject Branham.

The he turned around and violated his own orders! So that meant it was for everyone but him.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Daniel, I do... luckily I'm in a position to where I can play as long as I want... and I'm enjoying the discussions... I will get bored before long and get back to life..... also I have been stuck at a hospital for three days with nothing but my laptop.... my wife is in the hospital recovering from a blood clot... so theres not much for me to do but look at the walls

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Course he does, did you miss the post about pastoring two churches, and running three businesses?

Promoting Branham is a mere pastime.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

If that is you in your avatar you look like an actor from the 50' & 60's.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Bro. Epley,,,, he had tongues and interpretation in many of the services... I have heard them... he simply expressed that it would be better if they could gather before the service in prayer and if God had a message for the church..... it could be given then and later shared with the church in written form...

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Will say a prayer for your wife.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

sorry that you feel that way maam... I am just how God made me.. don't know what else to say

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Thank You Encryptus

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Paul said a man can speak in tongues to himself and to God while praying in church gatherings.

" 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God." - I Corinthians 14:28

The clause on keeping silence is in reference to addressing the church body as a whole. One can freely speak in tongues in prayer during praise and worship...they are simply not to be addressing the whole church in tongues without an interpreter.

Remember in the Bible there are four types of tongues:

-Gift at initial infilling
-Tongues that are heard in a language that the speaker doesn't know.
-Tongues in prayer
-Tongues used in public address coupled with interpretation.

Paul's limitation of two or three is only intended for tongues when used in a public address of the church coupled with interpretation.

We know this because over 120 got the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues freely at Pentecost. This was an initial outpouring and a linguistic miracle. So the rule doesn't apply here. We also read how twelve spoke in tongues in a single meeting when Paul laid hands on them in Acts 19:6-7. Oh...and then their's an entire house hold that speaks in tongues as the Holy Ghost falls in Acts 10.

So any number may speak in tongues during initial infilling and outpouring of the Holy Ghost and in Acts 10 and 19. Evidently at least 120 are allowed to speak in tongues heard as other languages. Paul set's not numerical requirement as to who can "pray" in tongues.

The only requirments are see when tongues is used in public address and should be coupled with interpretation.

Have you ever been used of the Lord in interpretation of tongues?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Why? No one could hear it directly from the interpreter then. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me. What if the person writing forgot some words? And who would read the written word?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

I bet you break all the rules when it comes time to take up the offering.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

I'll be sure to keep you and your wife in prayer...do keep us updated.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

I don't feel anything about it, I am just saying you remind me of an actor from the 50's or 60's, that's why I asked the question.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Branham didn't want anyone stealing his thunder. His church order tape was off the wall like the rest of his stuff BUT he never followed it.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

No doubt there are abuses and sometimes the gifts are inordinately focused upon. But Paul only set's the standard of two or three when a speaker is addressing the entire church...not in personal prayer or praise during worship in the beginning of a church gathering. And yes...tongues should not be used to interrupt the preaching...and no one should stand up in front of everyone screaming in tongues unless they know one is there to interpret or can interpret it themselves.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Will lift up your wife in prayer.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

So in actuality he is telling God when to send the tongues and interpretation? Before the service not during. Wow.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Neck. we dont actually take up an offering in our services,,, it is never mentioned.... as the people leave the congregation there are boxes they can place an offering in should they desire... I might add it is always filled to overflowing

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Of course NOT maam..... he is telling the people that God is not on a clock.. it doesnt matter to God if it is before or during service.. the message from God will be the same.... gather before the service in a prayer room... as you pray should God have a message for the church let it be spoken in tongues... let it be interpreted and then those messages can be brought before the people.. without confusing the visitors... else they would think we were all mad according to Paul

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Grasshopper, I disagree..... Pauls context is VISITORS not understanding whats going on....

You have outsiders and they walk in during praise and worship and all over the building people are speaking in tongues..... they will think were all mad... so this has nothing to do with Pausl frame of reference.. in trying to say he just mean speaking publicaly before the church.... he was against the use of tongues in the public church service UNLESS there would be an interpreter

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

The majority of folks who come to Pentecostal services enjoy the worship. The last 3 services here a Baptist girl has come to the revival I asked her if she liked it. She said I love it. That has been the majority of comments I have heard visitors make about Pentecostal services.
Now go to Branham church, first thing is the halo picture then the cloud picture. The preacher(if they have one) is talking about the prophet said, sometimes songs are sang about the prophet. Books are shoved in their hands about the prophet. Who do you think the average visitor is going to think is crazy or a cult?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Paul obviously wasn't against tongues being used during personal devotions and times of prayer before or after the church service. First off...the early church met in homes not in big buildings. Second...these gatherings were intimate and rather close and small, typically no more than 15 to 20 people on average. They also didn't "order" services like we do. There was normally a full meal where bread and wine was offered as part of the Lord's Supper... after they had eaten the main courses. This meal was typically before the teaching portion of the meeting. In addition the teaching wasn't in Greek fashion with one speaker "preaching". The word "preached" used in Acts where Paul preached until midnight is the same word we get our word, "dialogue", from. You see they most likely ate and had the Lord's Supper. Then one of them opened the scroll of an OT book and the preacher began to teach. Then a dialogue began and the teaching and discussion continued often late into the evening as in our case in point. During these times everyone was allowed to bring a song, a teaching, and if there were an interpreter a prophetic utterance in tongues. However, Paul never advocated that they forbid speaking in tongues...especially if it were during times of prayer or private devotions before or after the preaching.

It was a relatively primitive structure bro.

Dr. Vaughn, have you ever been used in the gift of interpretation?

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

How do you know it doesn't matter to God? He created time. And I would seriously question anyone that thought the service in they're church was more important than God speaking to His people. And yes I know what the Word says about edification. Visitors or not, if God wants to speak through tongues and interpretation he will. And I think that this reasoning might fall under quenching the Spirit. God just might have a word for the visitors as well.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Grasshopper.. it is indeed one of my giftings.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

I have been to services like this, and in my opinion it's better than the typical church service. I learn alot more in this early church structure than today's modern structure.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Then don't you believe that in his Soverienty he would know before the service that this visitor would be there? Must he wait to see who all shows up and be taken by surprise????? I believe he orders that visitors steps and he is a big enough God to give a Word about that coming visitor BEFORE the SERVICE

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

DanielR.. that's my point exactly... the early church (which is supposed to be our example) was about instruction.. and learning... it looked nothing like the modern day Pentecostal church services

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Why didn't it ever work???????????????????????????????

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Yes I do believe He knows, He is God. He might like to surprise us.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Oh heres a surprise.. before the service... people are gathered in prayer.. tongues goes forth.. someone interprets and God says

"tonight there will be a visitor amoung you,, she needs to know that I love her etc, etc... now theres a GOD SURPRISE

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

I don't see how that would be a suprise, that's pretty much a given for most church services.

Re: Biblical guide for a "church service"
 

Honestly have you ever known that to happen???????

The church order NEVER worked at the Tabernacle.