The Regulative Principle and Gifts of the Spirit

Some people in the Reformed Tradition believe in the regulative principle. That is the idea that you aren’t supposed to do anything in church unless it is specifically allowed in scripture. Some will point to Nadab and Abihu offering strange fire that the Lord did not command them to offer, and argue that we should do nothing in church that the Lord did not specifically authorize. John Knox preached along these lines. So do some people in the ‘Church of Christ’ movement.

Just thinking about that, it is ironic. What does the New Testament actually command and authorize for church meetings?

I Corinthians 14 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Notice here that the Bible authorizes ‘every one of you’ singing psalms, teaching a doctrine, having a tongue, revelation and interpretation ‘unto edifying.’ A regulative approach should lead one to allow for tongues, interpretation, and prophesying in church.

It’s kind of strange to me that some people who say they believe in the Regulative Approach may be arguing about whether they can sing hymns besides the Psalms in church, but not allow for the function of these gifts of the Spirit than the New Testament actually teaches us to allow in church.

John Kissinger [09/28/2015 12:35 PM]
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1629986224