The fact that each one has a gift or a tongue or a word of knowledge or wisdom or prophesy... should it not be utilized. Is it fair that just one brother or sisters gets up and preaches the word because they have spent time in the word while the rest of us just sit back and take it all in. Is this according the the New Testatment in Acts?
2007-05-23 18:29:02 · 17 answers · asked by Broken Alabaster Flask 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is absolutely not scriptural for us as believers to simply sit and be preached to at church.
Church is mainly a place for believers to gather together to edify each other and to pray with each other and grow and learn together ect.
Outside of the church is the main place where we need to utilize the gifts God has given us. It needs to go beyond something we do and be a part of who we are. At home, at work, at the store....we are to let the light shine into the world.
2007-05-23 18:36:09 · answer #1 · answered by KITKAT 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that's exactly what happened in the Acts church. Paul was the main leader preaching wherever he went, but he also appointed others to preach in his place when he left. Another aspect of church that should be utilized are some type of small group such as a Bible study or accountability group bc/ it is more biblically based in that the closeness of the group is able to benefit those it serves more readily and specifically. Some churches (like the Vineyard I go to) is preached in a small coffee-shop like setting and people speak up if they want to add something or ask a question. I personally don't have a preference the way I hear the word, just that I can apply it to my life. If you feel the need to speak your mind, try forming your own study group. hope it helps.
2007-05-24 01:35:09 · answer #2 · answered by christie 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We (believers) are all on a different part of the walk with Christ. The more time you spend studying the Word, the more the Lord will reveal to you from the Word. There are times when the Lord will reveal himself to you through the Word, Prayer, fasting, that is specifically for you, no one else. There are other times that what you learn in your walk with Him will be beneficial to others.
Go out and preach the gospel daily, use words if necessary.
I think your question would better be answered through time studying the Word and through prayer.
Personally, and I can only speak for myself, I don't belong to a church with a membership that is made up of a bunch of pew polishers. We are all members of the body of Christ. Each of us have different talents just as a body has different parts. We all have the possibility of contributing to the whole and even to the one. Find out how to exercise your talents, volunteer to help with the service, seek God's wishes for your talents through prayer.
Keep the Faith!
2007-05-24 01:41:33 · answer #3 · answered by Deryl L 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Believers do not simply "sit and be preached" at. We are gathering in the church (the congregation of believers) to listen and share the word of God. We are being edified by the minister's readings and sermons. We are not mind-numbed robots being programmed in the pews.
Not "each one" (which implies EVERY believer) has the gift of tongues or prophesy. There are several "Gifts of the Spirit" which you are referring to. Every believer has at least one of those gifts, but not every believer possesses all of them or the two you specify.
We ARE to "utilize" the Gifts of the Spirit, however, we are to use them to glorify God and to, again, edify (to build up) other believers. If a believer starts speaking in tongues amid a church service, it may cause confusion, disruption, and disturb the other congregants. This is NOT a good thing, this does NOT edify other believers, but can hurt their faiths. Now... in SOME congregations, speaking in tongues is a readily accepted form of worship, and does not "hurt" the congregation or the worship. Thusly, in those cases, it is fine to "utilize" that specific gift. (Note: The Bible also tells us that if someone does have the gift of tongues, there will ALWAYS be someone else "there" that has the gift of TRANSLATING that tongue... yep... it is not just a mysterious language that NO one understands. It "must" be understood, otherwise, again, it does not glorify God or edify the church.)
God knows His creation, He knows that "man" needs to have leadership. Spiritual leadership goes WAYYYYYY back to the times of Moses. Why is it WRONG to have leadership in a church when God, Himself, has sanctified it? What if that leadership goes astray? There are provisions to deal with that, too, in the Bible.
So... after all that... I can't figure out where you come up with all these questions. If you knew your Bible, theology, and liturgy, you wouldn't be asking any of those questions.
2007-05-24 02:16:30 · answer #4 · answered by wyomugs 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Church services are for worshiping God. Giving God thanks, praise, glory, and honor. Pray, sing, praise, and give thanks. Church is also for learning. Gaining incite, information, a new way of looking at things. Church can put you in a better relationship with God and His word. We all have varying gifts Church may be a way and place to find out what each persons gift is and use that gift to the glory of God. Not all, but some can preach, some can sing, some can clean, some can help with kids or the elderly. Help an expectant mother or new mother, run errands, etc. etc.
2007-05-24 01:47:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, only in the sense that the True Church service is to be a "Body Ministry." One has this gift & another that, let The Spirit lead the service & let Him Minister to the Body of Christ as He see fit. A Pastor should FEED (Teach) the flock, that is his main thrust. "Preaching is the power of God unto Salvation." That is the job of the Evangilist. One can be a Prophet, Pastor Teacher, Apostle or Evangelist, use the Gifts as intended, and don't attend a "One Man Show." Remember, Shepherds don't give birth to sheep, sheep give birth to sheep. Listen to the Shepherd & go get others to come.
2007-05-24 01:34:18 · answer #6 · answered by Pastor "B" 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The church is not a building it is the body of believers. Anyone who quenches the spirit by insisting that their voice is the only voice to be heard in the building where the church gathers needs to return to the scriptures and study before they try to lead others or else they will all end up in the ditch.
It is inevitible that the holy spirit will be silenced in the environment that you described. Out of the mouth of babes he hath perfected praise!!
2007-05-24 01:59:57 · answer #7 · answered by Guardian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The evidence in the Scriptures would definitely be against simply sitting in church and being preached at. But it can bring in good offerings.
2007-05-24 01:56:54 · answer #8 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know that it is wrong but not going to a traditional church isn't wrong either. I love that I can express myself in worship and in the gifts of the spirit but some people are more comfortable in a traditional church where the preachers preaches and the congregation listens. Where ever you feel closet to God is good enough in my opinion, let it be a dry church or a spirit filled
2007-05-24 01:34:49 · answer #9 · answered by † H20andspirit 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In the BIBLE it does say to have order in the church. I am spirit filled and the church I attend does allow th HOLY SPIRIT to have control of th service, and because of this there are times in which we have beleivers that are in service (pews) that will begin to work in the spirit. But today we are faced with so much false doctrine and prophets so I think as song as GOD is kept as the HEAD of the church and not man ,well then we would get more out of going. God Bless
2007-05-24 01:36:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋