How is 1st Corinthians 14:26-40 followed in the vast majority of modern churches? How does the fellowship you attend practice it?
It seems to me that the Scripture says that if a brother has a teaching from Scripture he would like to share, Paul approves of giving the opportunity for such. Although, the brother should be ready for questioning or correction if the teaching is false per 1st Thessalonians 5:19-22. Likewise, it seems Paul is suggesting this applies if a brother wants to suggest a song to sing during the meeting (not before the bulletin is printed, rather during the actual meeting).
Furthermore, if women are commanded to keep silent, and Paul gives some guidelines for the brothers teaching (one by one, courteously), doesn't that imply that the meeting does have an openness to it? However, it seems like in today's meetings, the men follow the command (and are expected) to keep silent in the churches, when they should be free to bring an edifying teaching.
Calvin even seems to agree that there was an open meeting for the brothers to bring a teaching, or correct a teaching:
Quote:
30. But if anything be revealed to another. Here is another advantage
-- that whenever there will be occasion, the way will also be open to
them. [866] Hence they have no longer any occasion to complain, that
the Spirit is bound, or that his mouth is shut. For all have
opportunity and liberty allowed them of speaking, when there is
occasion for it, provided only no one unseasonably intrudes -- having
it in view to please himself, rather than to serve some useful purpose.
Now he requires this modesty on the part of all -- that every one in
his place shall give way to another that has something better to bring
forward. [867] For this only is the true liberty of the Spirit -- not
that every one be allowed to blab out rashly whatever he pleases, but
that all, from the highest to the lowest, voluntarily allow themselves
to be under control, and that the one Spirit be listened to, by
whatever mouth he speaks. As to the certainty of the revelation, we
shall see ere long.
31. You can all, one by one. In the first place, when he says all, he
does not include believers universally, but only those that were
endowed with this gift. Farther, he does not mean that all ought to
have equally their turn, but that, according as it might be for the
advantage of the people, each one should come forward to speak either
more frequently or more seldom. [868] "No one will remain always
unemployed; but an opportunity of speaking will present itself,
sometimes to one and at other times to another."
32. And the spirits of the Prophets. This, too, is one of the reasons,
why it is necessary for them to take turns -- because it will sometimes
happen that, in the doctrine of one Prophet, the others may find
something to reprove. "It is not reasonable," says he, "that any one
should be beyond the sphere of scrutiny. In this way it will sometimes
come to a person's turn to speak, who was among the audience and was
sitting silent."
(Calvin's Commentary on 1st Corinthians)
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So, in light of these Scriptures, how can a planned order of service in which one man teaches week after week while all other men follow the command to women of being silent be justified Scripturally?
Notice, I'm not talking about wild chaos here, I'm talking about brothers humbly exercising the opportunity to share teaching from Scripture during the gathering of the church (decently and in order).
Also notice, I'm not talking about the opportunity for a brother to share a teaching during a meal after the "service", neither am I talking about a man sharing a teaching during extra-Biblical events such as Sunday School or a youth group. This Scripture passage is clearly applying to when the church "comes together", and no distinction is made between a mid-week meeting, a worship service, a testimony time, or other "special" meetings set aside to follow these commands. This passage seems to be talking about the "main" gathering of the church on the Lord's day.
If these guidelines are "the command of the Lord" (1st Corinthians 14:38), they must be dealt with seriously. I would greatly appreciate responses on how this applies and is applied today. Or, why it is ignored?
I would appreciate arguments from Scripture, or that can be plainly deduced from Scripture.