How to Conduct Yourself in the House of God

The first believers who were taught by the apostles themselves continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. Acts 2:42.

The doctrine of the apostles: How many people today continue steadfastly in the doctrine of the apostles? Among so-called free assemblies, people have become so free that it would be considered more or less bondage if they were to start meditating on the law of the Lord day and night. Their preaching revolves around liberation from the curse of the law, and to this end they have, over the course of time, accumulated lots of interesting anecdotes that serve to make people smile and give them a warm feeling of self-satisfaction. Those who have received this “liberation” have nothing more to do than listen year after year to the same deceiving stories about how futile it is to be a “slave of the law.” Quite a few people have now become adept at helping people out of the wilderness across the Jordan. But then they just abandon them on the heights of Gilgal without a second thought.

Paul, as we know, was a master when it came to leading people deeper into the land. He earnestly exhorted Timothy to take heed to himself and to the doctrine. “Continue in them,” he says, “for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Tim. 4:16. Nowadays it has become rather fashionable not to continue in any doctrine at all. Rather, people race one another to the platform in order to speak. Their conduct is awful. Even in the world, people conduct themselves more appropriately, because they have a certain degree of restraint. When it comes to appropriate conduct in the house of God, I believe that people in these “free assemblies,” where they glory in being baptized in the Spirit and in being led by the Spirit, should begin by taking Proverbs 12:23 to heart: “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.” Once a person has learned the great art of keeping silent, there can be some hope that he might later learn how to listen. There are a lot of so-called “preaching” brothers, and it is a challenge to be able to say anything when they’re around. Pity the people who make up the audience of these preaching brothers. They are relegated to little more than keeping quiet, listening and putting money in the collection. What a strange freedom!

I believe there would be much more spiritual content if these preaching brothers were to stay home now and then so that those in the assembly who are more lowly could get a little time to think and speak. If people would take a little more heed to the doctrine of the apostles, they would understand that a fool’s voice is known by his many words. Eccl. 5:3. But when the truth cannot find place among those who call themselves leading brothers, how can the flock that these brothers lead have any hope of spiritual development? Isaiah says rightly, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” Is. 59:14.

In many places, the leader also acts as the shepherd, evangelist and teacher. He is everything for the flock. Instead of nurturing the church so that from its midst apostles, prophets and teachers can grow up (1 Cor. 12:28), he zealously watches out to ensure that no one questions his authority or challenges his position. Even if the weapons of truth themselves are used on such a leader, he will maneuver around them so that he can continue to perform on the platform as the one who is the all-encompassing representative of every form of church life.

It is about time that lowly men within these leaders’ assemblies have their eyes anointed with eye salve. Then they can begin to see, think and take action, and not just sit there like mute listeners who do nothing more than occasionally shout “Hallelujah” when the leader says something clever, or now and then give a testimony that meets with the leader’s approval. Therefore, if anyone is interested in learning how to conduct himself in the house of God, he must search out God’s Word himself and give his own ear to the Spirit of truth.