CHURCH ORDER AND DISCIPLINE
[1] The Pastor is responsible for the local assembly
The pastor is responsible for the local assembly and accountable to God (Acts 20:28). He must have the qualifications (1Tim.3:1-7; Titus1:7-9).
[2] The woman should learn in all subjection
The woman should keep silent in all churches of the saints and should not be in leadership roles like teaching, pastoring or any of the five-fold ministries. (1Tim 2:11-15; 1Cor. 14:34). They can be in the choir, intercessory etc.
[3] Desolate Widows in the church to be taken from 60 years old
Widows of the age 60 years who have no one to take care of them should be taken care of by the church based on certain qualifications outlined in 1Tim.5: 9-10. Widows with children to be taken care of by their children (1Tim.5:4,16). Younger widows adviced to marry and take care of their home and children.( 1Tim.5:11-14).
[4] Let prophesying be by 2 or 3 and an interpreter
Speaking in unknown tongues by two or three and by course and there must be an interpreter. If no interpreter let the speaker keep silent. Prophecies to come as well by two or three and the pastor judges the spirit and the alignment of the three because they must align. The reason why God speaks by two or three is that the matter might be established. Everything must be done in order and to benefitting of the body of Christ (1 Cor.14: 27-32) ; Gal.6:1).
[5] Solving Disputes
– Disputes between brethren should be solved internally (1Cor. 6:1-7) Gal.6:1)
– Brethren should restore a brother caught in a fault in humility showing him his fault so he can repent and be won back to God(Galatians 6:1) Luke 17:3)
– Brother should forgive another who has wronged him and asked for forgiveness as many times as he asks for forgiveness (Luke 17:3-5)
1 – Brother that is wronged should tell the one at fault his fault( Matt. 18:15); If the one at fault hears he has been won back from his error but if he refuses to listen don’t leave him like that; take two or three more brothers with you to tell him and as witnesses; if he still refuses to listen tell the pastor all that has happened and the pastor will send for him and talk to him with other members of the church representing the church; if he refuses to listen to the church then he should be regarded as an heathen(unbeliever) and publican (tax collector- they were very bad in Jesus time) and God seals the action in Matt18: 18 and 19) that what has been declared by the church regarding the unrepentant brother is binding in heaven ( Matt 18: 17-20).
[6] Praying in the Spirit
Brethren should exercise themselves in praying in the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit helps us to pray. So as we pray with understanding we should pray in the Spirit as well (Rom.8:26-28).
[7] Brethren must be subjected to the Law of the Land and constituted authority
Every child of God must be subject to constituted authority and the law of the land. We should not be law breakers (Rom. 13:1-6).
[8] Covering for the Head: THE HAIR IS THE WOMAN’S COVERING; NOT SCARF
This is an issue that has created a lot of controversy but the scriptural view is that the hair of the woman is her covering. A woman should not shave her hair because God has given her the hair for her covering and it is for her glory (1 Cor. 11:5-16).The man should not have a long hair 1 Cor.11:4,14). Some talk about the nazirite vow for men but we are not under the law.
[9] Holy Spirit evidence : ABILITY TO STAY WITH THE WHOLE WORD OF GOD
The evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit is the ability to stay with the whole word of God and abide therein. As the filled Christian abides in the presence of God he/she will break forth in tongues. PRAISE THE LORD. Tongue speaking should not be seen as the yardstick for being baptized in the Holy Spirit because demons, water spirits, witches also speak in their own evil tongues! So the church needs to watch this! We need to discern the tongue whether it be of God or strange spirits! The believer who has repented and baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will speak in the right tongues! So the believer should not be afraid-Open your mouth wide and I shall fill it(Psalm 81:10). AMEN.
2 [10] Making our ways clear to have a heart void of offence toward God and Man
RESTITUTION MAKES THE HEART FREE OF OFFENCE
TOWARD GOD AND MAN
This issue bothers on making sure we live a pure life daily with no offence in our hearts to God or man. Therefore, a man needs to check his/her life and make amends or make things right with God and man. Where, we need to restore things back to the owners we must do. This is the issue of restitution! (Matt. 5:23,24; Acts 24:16; Philemon.10-12)
[11] We gather on the first day of the week – the day of the Lords resurrection
Our rest (Sabbath) is in the Holy Spirit and not Saturday but we gather on Sunday (the first day of the week- the day Jesus Christ resurrected) in line with the disciples’ practice (Matt. 28:1- 10;Mark 16:9; John 20:1,19; Mark 16:2-6;John 20:19; Revelation 1:10; Acts 20:7; 1Cor 16:1,2).