Order in Church Meetings

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, (A)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. (B)Let all things be done for [a]edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and (C)let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, (D)let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And (E)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [b]confusion but of peace, (F)as in all the churches of the saints.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:26 building up
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:33 disorder

26-33 So here’s what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three’s the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you’re saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you’re also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.

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