When You Assemble

1Cor. 14:26  What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 

Years ago I was part of a group of men who spent several years together praying, seeking the Lord and studying piles of books and literature (and the Word) believing that if we got all the New Testament patterns and procedures down that our church would be in a position to be able to demonstrate the fullness of NT church life.  We diligently studied the first century church, church fathers, the pre-Constantine church history, Catholic church, Reformation church, and every other historical or traditional movement we could find.  I have to say that I learned a bunch in that time, but that much of it had little to do with spiritual life.  Of course God used it to change and form my Christian paradigm and, hopefully, to contrast the difference between Christianity the religion and Christianity the life.

The scripture above is the only New Testament window that we have where we see what a NT meeting looks like.  Seems strange that the Holy Spirit would only describe such a meeting once in the entire book, leaving so much to be speculated on.  But I believe that this was entirely by design.  If God had described it in detail, most of us would cast it in concrete and make THIS meeting the standard for every meeting of His church!

So... what does the New Testament meeting look like?  Let's move through this scripture and make a few notes:

1. First, most of 1Corinthians is a message of correction to the wild and wooly church in Corinth, which consisted mostly of non-Jews (so they didn't have a knowledge of Old Testament scripture) and was very immature and self-willed, even though they were experiencing an abundance of spiritual gifts.  Paul indicated that they were "out of order."
2. Second, Paul is explaining to them how to function in the various gifts, without the disorder and confusion.
3. So... let's start with "when you assemble."  This does not say if you assemble, so it's assumed that the body of Christ meets together regularly as a normal ongoing part of its life.
4. Paul goes on to explain that "each one" has something to contribute.  This is NOT a meeting where someone delivers a lecture and everyone else sits in a pew.  This is an interactive meeting where "each one" is expected (or at least free) to have something to contribute.  
5. Each one has a psalm (song), has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  This meeting is NOT to share information... it is a meeting to share spiritual life that each member has a part in.
6. "Let all things be done for edification."  Every aspect of the meeting should be about edification.  Edification in NT means "to build the house" or "housebuilder" depending on the form of the word.  This is not specific to meetings, but is part of the call to every aspect of Christian life.  We are to "build one another up in love."  

CONCLUSION--- The ecclesia (church or called out ones) is a collection of broken vessels that are filled with the life of God (Holy Spirit.)  When they come together (even 2 or 3) there is a mutual sharing of this life of God that results in the edification of everyone involved.  This "builds the house of God."  Remember, we're not talking a church building or edifice... YOU are the temple of the Holy Spirit.   So... let's build the house of God today as we move around and share the precious life of God by His Holy Spirit.  Be blessed, Grover