Dear brothers and sisters,
In the New Covenant account of the kingdom gospel, we see approximately eight different types of meetings that the saints use. Each one plays a vital role in the population, maturation, and completion of the kingdom of God, His eternal purpose.
Here is our ministry’s current list.
| 1 | Discipleship 1 on 1, or 3-12 people, same gender: daily |
| 2 | Local Neighborhood Assembly: daily, prayer, discipleship, tongues |
| 3 | City Assembly: as led by Holy Spirit |
| 4 | Regional Assembly |
| 5 | Teaching-Discipleship: specific project |
| 6 | Special Issue-Problem: as need arises, major decisions by consensus of whole church (with minor disagreements deferred) |
| 7 | Evangelism 2 by 2 & groups – skeptics and seekers |
| 8 | Visiting Leader, and Apostle |
If you see another type, please let us know. Download the Kingdom of God New Testament Types of Meetings and supporting information here. You may review helpful Christian communication articles here. Obviously, many of these commands and traits are impossible in the head buffalo driven sit-down-shut-up-and-give-money institutional church. God’s church model is the simple home church and you can find much more about that here.
This is not an exhaustive teaching, but hopefully will be a help to those of us desiring the pleasure of God and the edification of our brethren.
Now, how are we to act in these meetings? What is the proper behavior for a Spirit-filled believer? We will primarily review the assembly of local neighborhood believers, the #2 type meeting above.
We may discern a giant clue from the letter of Paul to his Corinthian church plant. The first recorded letter details his answers to the abuses that this dear brother has encountered by those who reported the carnal behavior.
We begin where you might not think, but with the overall kingdom doctrines of God Himself. Then we may move into more specifics.
- God Can Be Pleased and Displeased With Our Meetings
Let us seek the ways of the Lord always to please Him in all respects. We must always remember that even though He is an omni-potent God, He is a real Person, the great I AM!
Colossians 1:9-12 …we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
- God Places Members In His Assembly
All parts of the body of Christ in an assembly are sovereignly placed by God Himself as He desires in order to please Himself. That does not mean that things will always go smoothly. Most of us know that fact, especially those in the arrogant western church.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
- Only Certain Saints Are Approved By Their Behavior
Not all people are saved and holy in an assembly. Some of the divisive and factious will leave when they are exposed since only the approved will be evident.
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
- Elders Will Help Persuade Us To Act Holy
The elders of an assembly and city who rule well should have a significant sway in the lives of the members. We are to be persuaded by their good counsel and example. In our day of judgment, we all want to have a profitable report…not one with grief. The word “obey” is a poor translation used to create an incorrect heavy hand for the control based leaders.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey (be persuaded) your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Also, if a person is out of order or begins to dominate, or if children become disruptive, the elders have the right to intercede and bring things back on track.
- All Things Must Be Done Properly In The Meetings
In general, all things are to be done properly and in order as Paul dictates toward the end of the letter after listing all the abuses.
1 Corinthians 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
- Every Person Has Something to Give to The Saints
From the most seasoned and mature saint to the newest young convert, all saved people in the meeting, each one, has a part
in the edification of the body. This especially includes women and children, all precious in the sight of our great God!
1 Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one (in the meeting) has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
- All Things Are to Build Up And Edify The Saints
Even a cursory reading of the New Covenant record will reveal the kingdom work of building up each other in the most holy faith. It is about the other person, not us. And in serving the other faithfully and selflessly, we then are built up and have ministry delivered to our own soul! You may also see an important list of the Scripture’s “one anothers” here.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 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.
- Consider One Another’s Interests More Important
Over the last 25+ years I have met in homes vs. the institutional church, there has been many times where I have come prepared through the Holy Spirit to bring a teaching. But over the course of these meetings, often there has been a person or two who normally is quiet or shy that has surprisingly and courageously brought some word or contribution. And from that springboard, then others will begin to open up as the Spirit moves! It’s a lovely thing to behold. I file away my teaching for another time, and all can end well.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
- Wait For Others To Arrive At The Meeting’s Lord’s Supper, a Full Meal
In gracious and considerate 1 Corinthians 13 type love, we are to wait for each other to arrive before the main event at the meetings. This main event is the full meal called the Lord’s Supper. It’s never a wafer and a thimble of juice. That tradition arose from the Roman church in the early 300’s.
And we certainly don’t want to get drunk. God killed some of the Corinthians for that abuse. Others He made sick in His discipline.
1 Corinthians 11:20-22 Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep (have been killed by God). But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
- There Are No “Sermons” In A Simple Church Meeting
In the Acts of the apostles, there is no example of the modern-day sermon. None whatsoever. There may be times when a special guest is present like an itinerant apostle or teacher. That person may be given the floor for a more lengthy time, and some open give-and-take honorable “dialogue” may ensure for the edification of all.
Acts 20:7-8 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them (dialogue), intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together.
- Prophets May Be Interrupted By New Revelation
Prophets are to help the body of Christ walk in a holy way at all times. Prophesy is almost always a Word to direct all to the true and right paths of God. These saints can be interrupted by another prophet if new revelation is given. Humility and discernment are needed, of course.
1 Corinthians 14:3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
1 Corinthians 14:29-33 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
- Reproof and Rebuke Are Customary
The eternal purpose of God is the population, maturation, and completion of the kingdom, and the installment of His King, the Lord Jesus Christ. It stands to reason, then, that the members of His body would be on point to preserve the unity of the faith in the holiness of God. This demands the sharp action of reproof and rebuke, and the discipline of rejection and avoidance when necessary.
1 Timothy 5:19-21 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
Acts 28:24-27 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, ‘GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, “YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.”‘
Titus 3:10-11 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
- Tongues In The Meetings Are Welcome Only If Interpreted
Some believers who speak in tongues are just like the Corinthians in that they want to show off this supernatural speaking gift at the expense of order. Paul would have none of this arrogance and spoke strongly and repeatedly to this glaring error. The private prayer language of men and angels is for private and non-meeting edification only.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 If anyone speaks in a tongue (to only edify others), it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
- All Women Have An Important Role In The Assemblies
If women can pray and prophesy in the assembly, they certainly can speak and teach too.
1 Corinthians 11:4-5 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
But what about this passage that seems to declare women are to not to speak?
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
There are whole books written to dissect this passage and its many opinions. This passage has been terribly mistranslated. There are errors in our translations. We must be careful and diligent.
For instance, in 1 Timothy, the translation says if anyone desires to the “office” of an elder, it is a good thing. The trouble is the word “office” is not in the original Greek. An elder is someone who is an elder…it is never an office. It is a series of character traits that make up the person to be a leader in God’s kingdom.
Regarding the vital role of women in the body and assemblies, we offer these two brief examples. Pricilla, who is mentioned first as having the dominant role in this encounter, took Apollos aside with her husband Aquila in Acts 18.26. They taught the apostle “the way of God more accurately.” She is also mentioned first before her husband in Romans 16 when Paul is signing off with his farewells.
Our dear sister Junia was a fellow apostle with brother Paul as stated in Romans 16.7. She was a fellow prisoner and outstanding as a worker. The later translators made the name masculine, or Junius, in trying to dissuade the reader that the apostle was in actuality a woman. Such are the schemes of mankind in the flesh.
- Women and Others Who Disrupt Must Be Silenced
As vital as women are to the kingdom, Paul calls them out if they become disruptive. They can dress provocatively, calling undue attention to their body sexually, and distract men. And they can be too loud and even shout over to their husband or others in trying to understand.
1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman who has her head uncovered (to attract attention sexually) while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your adornment (wives) must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 The women are to keep silent in the churches (not be disruptive); for they are not permitted to speak (shout out loud and be disruptive), but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything (that is unclear), let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
Of course, men and others can be disruptive as well. They too must be called out. All things must be done in the assemblies decently and in order.
- Children Are To Be With Their Parents At All Times
At any time in history, especially in modern times of gross sexual perversion, our children should b
e with us as parents and not outsourced to some back room out of our sight. The letters of the apostles included exhortations to children and their fathers, so we know children were present in the meetings when these letters were read. In our home churches, the children are ever-present and pay much closer attention than one would think!
Colossians 3:20-21 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Some Discussion Needs To Be Moved Out Of The Meeting
There are times when errors, disagreements, or even tempers may flare in the meeting. Many a time I personally have made the strong suggestion to move the discussion to another time, or perhaps after the Lord’s Supper. Often, cooler heads and hearts may prevail then and there.
Acts 18:26 …and he (Apollos) began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
- The Lord’s Supper Must Not Be Taken In Disunity Or God May Kill
We kid you not. Brother Paul was very explicit that the Lord has killed some of them for taking the Supper unworthily. And some were taken ill. This is nothing to fool with to say the least. I personally have seen unexplained illness with those who were agitators in the meetings. And I remember one man who was in deep sin with his family, and became sick without repentance, and soon thereafter died of a massive heart attack in his early 30’s. God is a consuming fire…
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep (are dead). But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
- Stay Humble For The Average Simple Church Lasts Only 12-18 Months
If humility is a rare commodity like we experience in the West these days, there will be divisive factions and sects that will blow up a body of saints and leave for some other group. Putting a name on a group is sin, pure and simple. Letting one person dominate and be called “pastor” is sin, pure and simple. Leaders should be a voice, not the voice.
1 Corinthians 2:14, 3:1-4 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised…And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?
- Let Us Rejoice in the Lord…Always
The Lord loves His children, and is especially fond of those who strive to obey Him in all ways and walk worthy! Let us rejoice always that we have nothing to fear in the least…except God Himself.
Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Philippians 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Meeting Behavior Recap – Listing
Here is the main Meeting Behavior Recap…
- God Can Be Pleased and Displeased With Our Meetings
- God Places Members In His Assembly
- Only Certain Saints Are Approved By Their Behavior
- Elders Will Help Persuade Us To Act Holy
- All Things Must Be Done Properly In The Meetings
- Every Person Has Something to Give to The Saints
- All Things Are to Build Up And Edify The Saints
- Consider One Another’s Interests More Important
- Wait For Others To Arrive At The Meeting’s Lord’s Supper, the Full Meal
- There Are No “Sermons” In A Simple Church Meeting
- Prophets May Be Interrupted By New Revelation
- Reproof and Rebuke Are Customary
- Tongues In The Meetings Are Welcome Only If Interpreted
- All Women Have An Important Role In The Assemblies
- Women and Others Who Disrupt Must Be Silenced
- Children Are To Be With Their Parents At All Times
- Some Discussion Needs To Be Moved Out Of The Meeting
- The Lord’s Supper Must Not Be Taken In Disunity Or God May Kill
- Stay Humble – The Average Simple Church Lasts Only 12-18 Months
- Let Us Rejoice in the Lord…Always
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Download the above Meeting Behavior Recap Listing here.
Download the types of Christian meetings in the New Testament here.
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Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
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You may view our Archives here: DEAR BRETHREN – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org
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