What is the structure of the assembly?

[aron]

Originally Posted by OBW

I don't really think that there is a single "structure" of the assembly. But there is a pattern within which it does fit. And the pattern has structure. It has responsibilities that are not simply shared among everyone..

I really like your use of the word 'pattern'. In my discussion, I think that was what I was attempting to reference with the teachings of Jesus, which don't preclude organizational structures from forming, but rather might provide patterns, or principles, without which the structure might ultimately distort the fellowship of the saints with each other, their consciences, and God.

Originally Posted by OBW

And despite all the freedom we think we find in "all can prophesy" in 1 Cor 14, I really think that Paul was putting bounds and structure on an unfettered three-ring circus.

Your comments on Corinth are interesting. It took me a long time, post-LC, to realize that Paul was not so much giving the saints the permission to function, with the phrase "you can all prophesy", as he was trying to bring their function into line, with the stress on the following "one by one".

Certainly we cannot use our freedom in Christ Jesus as an excuse for disorder in the church. As you say, there are no easy answers. Simply looking for cast-iron solutions from the first-century church experience can stretch both the Bible and common sense past their breaking points. The only true universals I see are ones like "believe into Jesus Christ" and "love and forgive one another" and "try to avoid sin" and "if you are ambitous to be great, be the least".

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

Your comments on Corinth are interesting. It took me a long time, post-LC, to realize that Paul was not so much giving the saints the permission to function, with the phrase "you can all prophesy", as he was trying to bring their function into line, with the stress on the following "one by one".

aron, we received lots of bad teaching in the Recovery from this epistle. Paul said he would show us a "more excellent way," but after listening to WL, most were persuaded that prophesying was this "more excellent way." We were basically taught that "all must prophecy one by one," when the scripture really says that all the prophets should should wait their turn and "prophecy one by one." As you said, Paul in this book endeavored to correct problems in Corinth, rather than mandate methods for all time. If there was a mandate, however, it would be love, which always seems to be the first thing discarded when zealots go searching for the right way to "play church."

[aron]

Originally Posted by Ohio

As you said, Paul in this book endeavored to correct problems in Corinth, rather than mandate methods for all time. If there was a mandate, however, it would be love, which always seems to be the first thing discarded when zealots go searching for the right way to "play church."

Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Paul clearly got the message: love is the fulfillment of the heavenly command. If ecclesiastical structures at least do not interfere with love, fine. But if they in any way steal our attention, affection, or "affiliation", I am quite suspicious as to whether we are leading ourselves astray.