Set In Order

One difference between the Church of Christ and groups such as the Disciples of Christ is that they claim the freedom and authority to self-regulate their worship. They believe that with changes in culture come changes in worship regulation. They introduced women preachers and elders, musical instruments, etc based upon supposed changes in culture. Others such as Catholics or Episcopal have gay priests, as many as 50% gay. Celibacy is another doctrine later added.

There is a New Testament verse that shows that self-regulation was not allowed. It is comparable with this Old Testament story.

When Samuel sent Saul before him he said to wait for him and when he came he would make an offering. We all know the story from I Samuel 11 thru I Samuel 16. Saul did not wait and made his own offering and was rejected as king.

The command "to wait" is similar to Paul's statement below, they were to wait for Paul to add more instruction.

1Co 11:34  AndG1161 ifG1487 any manG5100 hunger,G3983 let him eatG2068 atG1722 home;G3624 thatG2443 ye come not togetherG4905 G3361 untoG1519 condemnation.G2917 AndG1161 theG3588 restG3062 will I set in orderG1299 whenG5613 G302 I come.G2064 

They were to do as Paul had instructed to that point, and then when Paul arrived he would set in order the rest. Paul ordered the service and not themselves. Doing all things decently and in order meant as the Holy Spirit had ordered the worship through those spiritually gifted. They had an order given.

They were not given the right to self-order their service, but would have to wait for him to give further instructions.

Where the Disciples claim the right to self-order and change according to culture, we do not see ourselves as vested with such authority. Certainly Catholics claimed the same authority.

The apostles likewise waited for the Holy Spirit before preaching on Pentecost, they did not take initiative to preach before empowered. Christ instructed them to wait before acting.

Luk 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

I believe this is why false teachers were called presumptuous and self-willed. They took it upon themselves to change as they wished.

Many teach that with changes in culture the church should change. In early years teachers refused instruments because they were like the idolatrous worship of cults like the Apollo cult, he was considered the God of music and prophecy. Some rejected instruments for being like Judaism. As the threat from Roman and Greek idolatry lessoned many saw this as a time to introduce cultural changes like instruments.

The problem is they aren't waiting on God to make such changes and take it upon themselves. God has not said he accepts Gay priests, celibacy, women elders, infant baptism, or many things introduced after the Apostles.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would guide the Apostles into all truth. So, did the Holy Spirit give us the right to make our own changes as culture changed or did he guide us?  We do have some liberty in foods and holidays and other subjects outside of the spiritual realm.

Many teach that Paul said they could change worship. But the passages say nothing about changing worship. It is talking about preaching the gospel with respect toward all cultures. There is no right or authority to change the Gospel. There is no right to change Christian law.

1Co 9:18  What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 

1Co 9:19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 

1Co 9:20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 

1Co 9:21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 

1Co 9:22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 

The Jews already practiced morality from being taught in the law. Paul honored the moral nature of the law and mentored morality towards those raised without law.

     Another example in Exodud 24:1-15, Moses had already gone up to receive the Ten Commandments, he came back without the completed commandment package. So he was told some could worship from afar as he set up young men bringing offerings. Yet, they had to wait for Moses to return after 40 days and 40 nights.

They could worship according to the interim instructions but had to wait for the rest. We know the rest of the story, they wouldn't wait and set up their own worship with the Golden calf. It is not just a story about idolatry but is also a story about waiting for God to guide us.

The Covenant Confirmed

Exo 24:1  And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. 

Exo 24:2  And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. 

Exo 24:3  And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. 

Exo 24:4  And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Exo 24:5  And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. 

Exo 24:6  And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 

Exo 24:7  And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 

Exo 24:8  And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words. 

Exo 24:9  Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: 

Exo 24:10  And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. 

Exo 24:11  And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. 

Exo 24:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. 

Exo 24:13  And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. 

Exo 24:14  And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. 

They were commanded to practice the worship given, and to wait for Moses to return.