“A Testament To Order”

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Should people be getting up in front of the congregation and giving testimonies in the Lord’s church today?

Sincerely,
Speaking Up

Dear Speaking Up,

We are given a couple of requirements regarding speaking in the church assembly.  Any testimony that someone gives of how Christ had helped them, how they had been converted, etc., must fit within the biblical guidelines for the church assembly.

One guideline is that women are not supposed to be speaking or in leadership positions during worship (1 Cor 14:34).  Therefore, any woman that has a testimony to give about her life wouldn't be able to do it in that setting.

Another guideline is that everything should be done decently and in order (1 Cor 14:40).  Many of the churches that have people give testimonials do so in a chaotic fashion with people jumping up to speak or yelling out during services... this is wholly inappropriate.  A congregation is required to be thoughtful and prepared with how the worship service is run.

These two guidelines alone clarify things.  If a man had a worthwhile teaching to give or biblical message to present, and it was prepared and presented in a way that was proper and decently in order, it would be permissible.  Realistically, very few of the churches in the religious world that use the "testimonial system" do that.

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