A man prays, another man reads from the word, another one asks for a song, all doing it in an orderly but not planned by men fashion. The Holy Spirit leads in this worship time around the Lord's table. Jesus Christ is the entire focus in God's way of worship. There is no human leader in these gatherings, the Holy Spirit leads each man. The women pray, sing and prophesy (expound on the word) too, but only if they are covered. 1 Corinthians 11, allows for participation on the part of the ladies.
1 Timothy 2:12 "But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet."
The men lead, the women do not lead, but they do participate.
The people of the gathering never depend on any man, the depend on the Holy Spirit and Christ is glorified throughout.
The modern model of one man paid pastor who is seen as an authority over the congregation is not Biblical nor is it pleasing to God.
Matthew 20:25-26 "25But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 26It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,…"
The modern church has attempted to have a hierarchy the way the Catholics did, the way many religions do rather than obey God. Man seems to always think they need more rules and rulers than God commanded.
Because of this false teaching for one-man-paid pastors the people have become lazy, not reading the Word at home, and believing whatever that person preaching says. They do not check out for themselves to see if that leader has told the truth or just having his own opinion.
Also, the model of the first-century preaching in the gathering allows for the men in the congregation to interrupt the preacher with more incite or to correct wrong teaching. God says if one man is speaking and the other one interrupts the one speaking is to stop and allow the new man to speak.
1 Corinthians 14:29-31 "…29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.…"
When is the last time you saw a congregation operating Biblically? Almost never, would be the answer.
The leaders these days are for the most part arrogant and resistant to correction as well as shunning anyone who would dare to speak while the preacher is speaking, it is not allowed to interrupt for clarification or correction, this is in defiance of the Word of God. God does allow for the entire congregation of men to interrupt as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
Very few congregations understand this model that Christ gave and they don't even want to know. Welcome to the end times apostasy.
