DECENCY AND ORDER

Chapter 13 of I Corinthians depicts a time period from the dispensation of the gifts among the early church unto the transformation from the "body of our humiliation" unto the "body of his glory" (Phil. 3:21). Knowledge shall vanish away (I Cor. 13:8). There is a contrast between "partial" knowledge, which exists now; and with "full" knowledge, whereas one shall know even as he has been known (I Cor. 13:12). In order for the greater to become existent, the lesser must be annulled--that will happen when "that which is perfect" comes (I Cor. 13:10).

If the dispensation of the gifts, even though they be from "part" (I Cor. 13:9), existed from the early church era and will continue to exist until that which is perfect is come (an everlasting era in the future), how is it then, that people can say they believe in God and his power, and not believe that he is able to heal the sick through faith, and the gifts of his ministers when healing is mentioned as one of the gifts (I Cor. 12:28), and when they can see that the longevity of the dispensation of the gifts includes our contemporary era? When they speak of God's creative power, they seem to be so thrilled with wonder, and then when the applying of faith to God's healing power in sickness is mentioned, where is their zeal? If God can do miraculous and marvelous creative works, he also is able to do miraculous healing works. If God has the power to create this universe, which he did according to the written word, it is also logical that he can heal disease of any sort because he is almighty, and nothing is impossible with God.

Now, on the other hand, though I find faith in God's healing power in the charismatic churches, many times I've found disorder in the services. Women teach groups of men, women and children, which is contrary to the Scripture: "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (I Tim. 2:12). It is fine for a woman to teach other women or children, but in the assembly women need to realize that they are expected to be taught; hence, women should be willing to be subject to male authority and teaching, and they should be willing to listen quietly (I Tim. 2:11). If women have any questions concerning what is being taught, they should ask their husbands afterward at home (I Cor. 14:34, 35); see Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18.

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