Mark

Cheryl,
Again you are playing semantic games with my words. If you have any legitimate claim to show that there is no difference between Pauls letters and Acts 16 for example please provide.

Lin,
I’m very familiar with the ‘supposed law’ arguments of 1 Cor 14. ATM it is not really my concern, perhaps a bit later. If you likewise have any supporting evidence to show that Paul is NOT addressing a formal gathering of believers please show me.

Kay,
1 Corinthians 14:26. Paul addresses when they ‘come together’. He rattles off hymn singing, word of instruction, revelation, toungues- “All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” This is clearly instructions about the complete gathering of believers, ie formal church not about Paul evangelising to Lydia, not about 2 or 3 people gathering together in a bible study because such things are for the benefit for the church- all believers in Corinth. How can these things be strengthening for the church if only a few people are there? It is ridiculous to see this any other way.

Regarding Timothy see my post above. Paul’s instructions are about corporate worship-formal gatherings and significantly who can/can’t teach, who can/can’t be elders/deacons.

Also Kay you said
“Paul stayed with Lydia in her house. He and the rest of the new believers held ‘church’ in her home and possibly others, but no synogogue or church building is known to have existed there at that time
1. Where does it say in Acts 17 that they held church there with ‘possible others’?

Quick question for Dave,
You said this a while ago…
“I think we first need to work out what each other is talking about, but at Ryde Pressie I am not sure if we have what you call a “formal”church meeting. It is one of the times during the average week that we meet together as a church. It is no more formal than what we call our “Small Church” meetings during the week, or what we call our “Kid’s Church”. Nor is it more formal than things we do where we have not attached the word “formal” – like our dvd night, our kid’s club and teens, or even my “open office” time each week where someone comes for a chat. All of these things are church, and they are all a part of Ryde Pressie church and the Body of Christ.”

Just wondering when you have your ‘small church’ do you sing hymns, talk in toungues and prophecy? Do these things happen in your kids clubs, youth groups, even in your office. My i would be impressed if everytime your assistant pastor walks in you start singing hymns and prophecying together. The reality is 1 Corinthians 14 is addressing the ‘formal’ gathering of believers.