service and when that great multitude went to their homes the work of the seven ceased and there is no indication that this order continued. However, there is an established order of the ministry set forth known as deacons. The qualifications for Deacons are given in the 3rd chapter of 1st Timothy. But only through history outside the Bible do we have definite information about their duties. Inferential Scriptures lend some assistance.

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. 12:28.

FOLLOWING THE PATTERN:

In accordance with the pattern the Church of God has the following Officers:

Bishops preach, teach, pastor, and may do the work of an Evangelist. (See 2 Tim. 4:5.) They are ordained by Bishops, after the church has set them forth.

Only quali

fied men may be Bishops. Women may not. Bishops preach, exhort, teach, organize churches, ordain elders, and have the care of churches. They do either evangelistic work or pastoral work, or teaching.

Evangelists The Evangelists teach, preach, or may be pastors, and assist in the work of the ministry. They may baptize. They do not perform marriage ceremonies. They may set churches in order, but they are subject to the Bishops, those that have the rule over them in the Lord. Women may be set forth as Evangelists.

Deacons-The Deacons preach, teach, evangelize, and may do the usual work of the ministry, except such as ordination, marriage, etc. which is the work of the Bishops only. But primarily the Deacons take care of the business affairs of the local church.

Church Practices

Women Speaking in the Church

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." 1 Cor. 14:34, 35.

"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus." Romans 16:1-3.

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus," in the Upper Room at Jerusalem. Luke says that they "were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." In Acts 2:4, we find that all these including the women spoke in tongues and magnified God. (See Acts 1:14, 15; Luke 24:53.)

Paul's instructions here for women to keep silence in

the church does not signify the church building, (See 1 Cor. 14:22, 23.) but rather a church meeting, where all believe. If you can realize the mystery, it means a church meeting where the church is doing business for God. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:11, 12, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."

It is evident from the fact that the women were taking such active part in the services for ten days up to the Day of Pentecost, in the regular prayers, and praises, that there is no objection to the women taking part in the church services. But from Paul's statement in Timothy, the object of the instructions is to see that the women do not take the reins of government in their hands. The official part of the Church of God must be in the hands of the men-and the women must listen in silence, and learn of the matter from their husbands at home.

Just as Phebe and Priscilla could serve the church and assist Paul, so can the sisters today assist in the work of the church in nearly every capacity-under the supervision and leadership of the Bishops. If it were all right for Mary Magdalene to be the first one to preach of the Resurrection of Christ--it is still all right for the women to tell of all to whom Jesus these things. The woman at the well, preached, went back and told the story of Jesus in her town. The women are acknowledged to be the very marrow of the church. God bless them.

Let us Examine Results. If anyone has any doubt about the practice that has "Seemed good to the Holy Ghost and us" in reference to the women's part in the work of the church, let them consider these interesting points:

Church of God women Evangelists are bringing multitudes to Christ.

They are blessed in a marvelous way in healing the sick.

We can produce proof that the Lord blesses them in this work quite as much as He does the brethren. Of course there are far more brethren in the active ministry, and they do much more in the aggregate, but in comparison to the number in the field, they measure up in results. When They Disobey Instructions. But let a woman usurp the authority over those that have the rule over her in the Lord-and it's goodbye, sister. Usually they get into error immediately, they eventually bring more or less shame upon the cause of Christ, they become the victims of strong delusions, get puffed up, conceited-and hit the bottom spiritually, and frequently in many other ways. I can recall instance after instance of this kind, and not a single instance where a woman has usurped the authority that has prospered spiritually. They may have appeared to for a while-but they fell. Paul's instructions should be followed to the letter in this matter as well as in all other matters. He did not preach except as it was revealed to him of the Lord.

Speaking in Tongues in the Church

This is also referred to in detail in the 14th of 1 Corinthians. You will note in the 12th verse that it refers to the gift of tongues. There is undoubtedly a difference between the gift of tongues, where the saints are ordered to speak one by one (verse 27), and the speaking in tongues which was "As the Spirit gave them utterance" on the Day of Pentecost. For on the day of Pentecost "They all spake with tongues;" and apparently it was confusion, for

the people supposed they were drunken. But it wasn't confusion, it was the power of God. The same happened at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:44); and at Ephesus (Acts 19:6). Now Paul did not tell the twelve at Ephesus that only three of them could speak in tongues. They all spoke with tongues. We will find the solution if again we will consider just where this instruction of Paul was to be applied:

(1) It had reference to the gift of tongues (See
chapter on the gifts of the Spirit, page 129)-
and not speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave
utterance.

(2) It had reference to a church meeting, the
same place where the women are to keep silent,
where instruction is being given, or the church is
in council. "The tongues are for a sign to the un-
believer." (See verse 22.)

The Tangible Evidence. We have taken this doctrine and tested it fairly and impartially, in this manner:

(1) In a revival meeting of an evangelistic nature a minister in all sincerity insisted that there should be no speaking in tongues except by twos or by threes, and that by course, and keep silent if there is no interpreter. He had absolutely no converts, and several of the young Christians backslid-and, sad to say, are still in sin, though that was many years ago.

(2) Another minister understanding the Scriptures, and realizing all the blessings that fell on the Day of Pentecost when all spoke with tongues, urged the people to be free in the Spirit, not to quench the Spirit. He had a revival, right on the ruins of the meetings that had failed and hundreds were brought to Christ, many healed, and there