All things are to be done in a becoming and reverent manner and in orderly system with discipline, exactness, harmony and united action. God is a God of order and not the author of confusion, and He is displeased by disorder, confusion, disorganization and filthiness. Order is the law and first law of heaven, seen in system throughout all His works and in the perfection of created things, and it is to be the law of His people on earth. Worship is therefore to be conducted with reverent stillness, decency and solemnity for edification, not with confusion, noise, fanaticism or strange displays. Thorough organization and discipline in the church are essential and indispensable for supporting the ministry, carrying the work into new fields, protecting against unworthy influences, and carrying forward united gospel labor throughout the world.
Words and Heavenly Pattern
All things are to be done in a becoming manner, with propriety, reverence, solemnity, calmness, beauty and respect, and in order, meaning with system, discipline, exactness, thoroughness, harmony and united action. That becoming order governs household duties done thoroughly with as little noise and confusion as possible, with kitchen and other parts kept clean and study never allowed to crowd out home responsibilities. It governs schools, for order is heaven's first law and every church school is to be a model of heaven in decency and order. It governs ministers and meetings, requiring oneness as Christ is one with the Father, drawing together in even cords without drawing people to self, acknowledging God among them in mutual respect and love, conducting tent meetings and church services with careful words spoken in love and sacred dignity that edify hearers, leaving out unsuitable illustrations, so strangers and regular attendants are impressed with the elevated character of truth and the Holy Spirit can impress minds. It governs baptism, which is to be solemn, beautiful, respectful and calm, without confusion, struggling, excitement, talking or laughing, preferably in pure running water outdoors rather than a box inside, with hymns, prayer, preaching and then solemn earnest immersion, even before more than two hundred witnesses at an open lake of pure flowing water, making the service pleasant, a public advertisement and victory for truth that honors God, impresses deciding minds, and leads souls through repentance toward God, faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and baptism. It governs all work for God, to be carried out carefully and in perfect order with meaning in each action, which is beautiful before God.
God is a God of order and not the author of confusion, and He is displeased by disorder, confusion, distraction, disorganization, filthiness and sin. His service is marked by decorum and reverence, orderly and in harmony with Himself, so wild methods, strange displays and disorder are unauthorized and His methods must win people to Christ. Confusion displeases Him in worship, so order is to be observed in prayer and singing. He requires reform in order and will not sanction slack disorderly habits, but calls for earnest discovery and putting away of errors, cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and cultivating love for neatness and strict cleanliness. Taste and order must appear in dress, in the house and in all things, as a peculiar people in contrast to worldly fashion, with dress and especially dress reform made right, arranged neatly with good taste and strict cleanliness, modest with reference to health and neatness, neat, modest and tasteful without gaudy display, with special reverence for the Sabbath and worship, so as not to disgust unbelievers but commend truth to candid minds.
Order is the law of heaven and the first law of heaven, manifest in system and order throughout all God's works in the universe and in the perfection and arrangement of created things, and it is to be the law of God's people on earth. Diligence, industry, neatness and orderly habits in daily life belong to that heavenly order cultivated on earth. Because heaven is orderly, thorough discipline belongs in the church and organization is essential and indispensable.
The same perfect order, subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host, who are thoroughly organized, work harmoniously and move in perfect order. The more closely their harmony and order are imitated, the more successfully heavenly agents can work in behalf of people. Disorderly, undisciplined, disorganized action that sees no need for harmonious action prevents their successful help, for they cannot work successfully for such a people but turn away in grief, being unauthorized to bless confusion, distraction and disorganization. All who desire cooperation of heavenly messengers must work in unison with them, and those with the unction from on high will in all efforts encourage order, discipline and union of action, which angels can cooperate with and endorse, while they never endorse irregularity, disorganization and disorder, evils that come from Satan's studied effort to weaken forces, destroy courage and prevent successful action.
That heavenly pattern was shown in Israel in the strict order and assigned duties of the tabernacle service, teaching that careless interference with another's work is unacceptable and each must understand responsibilities under rules and regulations. The same order displayed in creation appeared in the Hebrew economy under Moses, whose government was thorough organization wonderful for completeness and simplicity, with God as center of authority and sovereign of Israel, Moses as visible leader by God's appointment to administer laws in His name, assisted by a council of seventy chosen from tribal elders for general affairs, by priests consulting the Lord in the sanctuary, by chiefs or princes ruling over tribes, by captains over thousands and over hundreds and over fifties and over tens, and lastly by officers for special duties. The orderly arrangement of Israel's camp exemplifies the principle even for practical preparations such as laying out a campground and pitching tents, without confusion. As Israel was directed, workers are to act intelligently, faithfully and exactly, for order and harmonious action bring success while careless haphazard work does not meet God's standard.
Because there is order in heaven there must be system and order on earth in God's work, done intelligently, faithfully, exactly and with meaning, so it moves forward without confusion and fanaticism and receives His approval and the seal of His approval, and God is pleased when His people move with system and order. That earthly system must remain living and spiritual, not degenerating into dull mechanical form that deadens energy, earnestness and efficiency and leaves out the Saviour, burden for souls and power to save. It includes system needed to carry forward organized gospel labor and successfully the last great message of mercy to the world, including systematic benevolence in support of the work.
Worship in Decency and Order
Worship gatherings are to be conducted with reverent stillness, decency, solemnity and order for edification, not with confusion, disorder or noise. The service of Christ is marked by decorum and reverence, with practices orderly and in harmony with God, who is not the author of confusion. Wild methods, strange displays, fanaticism and disorder are not authorized in the church, but methods should help win people to Christ. Divine influence is compatible with reverent order, and the presence of the Spirit does not require fanaticism.
True Spirit-led worship shows love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness and temperance, not harsh expressions, rough language, frequent empty shouts, or noisy, rough, attention-seeking conduct. Voluntary humility and will-worship that draws attention to self rather than Christ breaks decency and order, as when one takes food from the common table to eat behind a door while shouting to display wonderful humility. Such control is by Satan rather than leading by the Spirit of God, while true humility sits at the table with others. Bible order means following the perfect order of heaven with Christ as head, moving steadily according to the Word as the standard rather than relying on uncontrolled excitement or experiences distorted by prior opinions, keeping minds fixed on God rather than on self or others.
In the house of God heedlessness while the words of life are presented is contrary to propriety and order. Reading, whispering and laughing distract others and, if left unchecked, influence them to do the same. Children running about, playing, talking and showing uncontrolled tempers turn the meeting place into confusion. Such disorder desecrates the house of God and violates the Sabbath, brings displeasure, withholds His presence from the assembly, and may leave His people without His help against their enemies. Parents and teachers are responsible for teaching and governing children so the assembly can worship without disturbance.
Order is to be observed in prayer and singing, because confusion displeases God. Prayer in a church meeting should seek a present blessing. Prayer for family members generally belongs at the family altar, and prayer for those far away belongs in private, unless deep feeling under the Spirit's conviction leads to praying for them in the meeting.
Singing is to be done with the Spirit and understanding toward correct, harmonious music, which glorifies God, benefits the church, and favorably affects unbelievers. It requires planning, discipline, leadership, consultation and common sense rather than impulse, carelessness, or each person following his own style and blundering along, which loses its effect on minds. Singers need to be disciplined and kept in working order, willing to consult and accept leadership and not impatient under it, with consecrated thinking powers devising the best ways and means to serve God. Music done in this order has beauty, pathos and power, with voices lifted in praise and devotion and, where practicable, instrumental music joining to send glorious harmony to God as an acceptable offering, so that a church disciplined by the Spirit becomes a power in the world for doing good and saving souls instead of working carelessly for eternity.
Order must be observed in the assemblies of the saints, and every part of His service managed in an orderly, becoming manner. Where order is kept the truth has better effect upon all that hear it, needed solemnity is encouraged, the truth stirs the depths of the soul, no death-like stupor hangs upon hearers, and both believers and unbelievers are affected; where order is not kept the Ark is removed and strength weakened. Church meetings, including tent meetings and church services, should be arranged and conducted with care, with well-matured plans, knowledge of who will labor, and adequate help, so the congregation remains engaged and does not judge the cause by weak efforts and reject truth for error. Words are to be spoken in love with sacred dignity so the Holy Spirit can impress minds as a savor of life unto life, using only words that edify hearers and leaving out unsuitable illustrations or anecdotes, which impresses strangers and regular attendants with the elevated, ennobling character of truth and its power to cleanse the heart. This requires ministers to be one as Christ is one with the Father, drawing together in even cords, not drawing people to themselves but acknowledging God among them, respecting and loving one another. Religious exercises should thus give the people the right kind of education and present the discipline of organization and order.
Order in worship and Sabbath worship includes clean, neat, modest clothing arranged with taste as reverence for God and His house. Such decency and order are not pride or worldly display, while carelessness and disorder are not humility. A believer's appearance should reflect the order and refinement expected of Christians.
Church Organization and Unity
There must be order and thorough discipline in the church, and organization is essential and indispensable for supporting the ministry, carrying the work into new fields, protecting both churches and ministry from unworthy members, holding church property, publishing truth through the press, and carrying forward organized gospel labor and the work throughout the world. Without organization that maintains order, churches become confused and divided and break into fragments with no hope of a united future, and the work cannot be carried forward successfully. Neglect of order allows unqualified persons to take charge and make harmful decisions, bringing confusion, disunity, disunion and reproach upon the cause.
Order must not be abandoned to avoid mere formality, for gospel order was in heaven and in Christ's church and was observed by the apostles. It must also not degenerate into dull mechanical form that deadens energy, earnestness and efficiency, nor into rigid formality or a mass of regulations that stifles spiritual life and leaves out the Saviour, the burden for souls, zeal and power to save. Discouraging features, indifference, formality, pride, and the unconsecrated human mould placed on the work to fashion it to a popular standard are no reason to abolish organization, tear down methods built at great cost after a hard battle ending in victory, and go back to disorder.
Ministers must love order, discipline themselves and then discipline the church to work harmoniously like a well-drilled company of soldiers, for as discipline and order are necessary for successful action on the battlefield they are much more needful in spiritual warfare where eternal interests are at stake. Each member should know his place and understand responsibilities, with the assigned duties and strict order of the tabernacle service showing that careless interference with another's work is not acceptable. Bold independent assertions, walking after independent judgment, self-willed action from impulse, evil surmisings, envy, fault-finding and accusing bring trial, suspicion, disunion and a disordered state, and those persisting in such unconverted conduct become a greater affliction than unbelievers, an element of weakness and instruments of Satan to obtain sympathizers, clog the work and create suspicion, even while thinking they do God's service. Keeping order requires converted members who see defects of character as never before and repent.
Choosing one's own course independent of brethren and of the counsel of God-fearing counselors, boasting of freedom to think and act independently, taking no man's say-so, answering to no man, striking out alone, and regarding all efforts to establish order and discipline as dangerous restriction of personal liberty to be feared as popery is Satan's special deception, not virtue pleasing to God. Safety and strength lie only in moving discreetly and sensibly in harmony with united bodies laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action, respecting church authority and order, acting from principle rather than impulse, and keeping focus on great principles of faith instead of rigidity over minors and fault-finding. Independent judgment, disregard for church authority and disorder create weakness and confusion, so the church must remain united for coordinated service.
God's work must advance by united, concerted, harmonious action under law and not by independent isolated action, like the stars of heaven which are all under law and yield common obedience in doing God's will. Refusal to unite and preference for acting alone brings confusion, represented by strong but untrained horses pulling against each other, one pulling forward while another pulls back, so that activity comes at the wrong time and in the wrong way, often works counter to what God would have done, and is worse than wasted. Near the close of time God's people should move understandingly and be united in effort, of the same mind and same judgment, so efforts are not scattered but tell forcibly in upbuilding present truth.
Satan makes even professed Christians believe order and discipline are enemies to spirituality and that safety is for each to pursue his own course distinct from united bodies, and he seeks to get in among God's people to disorganize the work, divide and scatter the remnant especially near the close of time when he comes with great power knowing his time is short, that they may grow weak and be overthrown, and to weaken forces, destroy courage and prevent successful action. Disorder, lack of discipline and disorganization come from his studied effort and prevent successful work. Angels are thoroughly organized, work harmoniously, and move in perfect order with subjection and thorough discipline, and cannot work successfully for a disorderly, undisciplined, disorganized people but turn away in grief because they are not authorized to bless confusion, distraction and disorganization. The more closely their harmony and order are imitated the more successfully heavenly agents can work in behalf of people, so all who desire cooperation of heavenly messengers must work in unison with them and, with the unction from on high, encourage order, discipline and union of action, which angels endorse and cooperate with, never irregularity, disorganization and disorder.
There was order in the church when Christ was on earth and strict order among the apostles after His departure, with orderly harmonious cooperation, thorough and exact work, united Christians and churches, human effort cooperating with God, and every agency subject to the Holy Spirit. There is more real need of order, discipline, system, exactness and unity of action now in the last days while God brings His children into unity of faith, because Satan and evil angels are busy to undo and destroy that unity. As the final crisis approaches order and harmony are more, not less, necessary, with the work systematic and guided by well-defined plans.
Order includes systematic benevolence and organized giving for charitable purposes and for advancing the message of mercy to the world, which is part of the order God establishes among His people and is needed to carry the last great message successfully. Order in church matters connects with practicing system and order in household and temporal affairs, and those opposing such order should not influence church decisions. God is pleased when His people try to move with system and order, and desires His work done with system and exactness to place upon it the seal of His approval.
Thorough organization built up by wise careful labor must be held evenly with no breaking down of regulation and order, giving no license to disorderly elements that desire to control the work. It is the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings and to refute claims not endorsed by the Word of God, requiring clear discernment to distinguish spurious from genuine when disorderly manifestations appear, and proclaiming no message until it has borne careful scrutiny in every jot and tittle, so truth binds workers like strong cords with no distracted efforts among them. Matters in the church are to be set in order through the Holy Spirit correcting errors and what is going wrong and putting things in order among believers. God's order requires self-control with calmness and propriety of speech in respectful, courteous, Christlike words without temper, a character remodeled after Christ's likeness, support for rules and discipline rather than irregularity, obedience to laws and rules even in little business transactions, and refusal of lawlessness, a demoralized state where everyone follows his own bent and does as he deems right, and wrenching away from order by precept and example.
Gospel Work in System and Harmony
God leads His people into order and not into confusion, and the right kind of order is established by Him to advance His work without restricting or hindering it. All work for God must be done under law and order and not by fancy, caprice, human planning, or the mixing of human sophistry with Bible truth. Those enlisted in Christ's army have no right to work as they choose and dash about with plans of their own without thought for the general good of the cause, but having freely chosen the banner of Prince Emmanuel as the mighty General of armies they must make a complete, willing and hearty surrender, go to God for orders, and obey His directions. All are to labor without division in harmony, part acting with part, in straightforward and sensible lines for the fulfillment of God's purposes and the will of the great Designer who Himself planned His work. To labor in one's own way and refuse directions is to work at cross-purposes with God so that He cannot cooperate, and brings only confusion and entanglement, and those who insist on being a rule to themselves stand under a banner opposed to Christ.
The building of a church is to be carried out faithfully and thoroughly, without insisting on one's own plans and without allowing disappointment to produce envy, discontent or murmuring, but with a Christlike spirit that honors God. The same orderly way applies to the work of institutions and missions, which requires accurate and competent bookkeeping and workers who obey God's directions. Such obedience supports harmony and unity, while careless, disorderly and self-willed work is unacceptable.
Home Dress and Personal Life
Household duties and home life fall under the requirement that everything be done properly and in an orderly way, which means assigned domestic work is to be done thoroughly, carefully and quietly with as little noise and confusion as possible. The kitchen and other parts of the home are to be kept clean, everything is to be kept in its proper place and manner, and book study is not to be made primary while home duties are neglected and the family is made uncomfortable. Learning to keep everything in its place and manner is the most valuable education children can have, and the habit of disorder if not corrected will be carried into every phase of life and will spoil life for usefulness and for true missionary work.
Family rules are to accord with God's word, and orderly family life with discipline and training prepares the family for union with heaven. The usefulness of people in church and home depends on the discipline and training received in the family, and everything done in family life and education at home and school is to be conducted decently and in order in harmony with God's rules and principles. Mothers are therefore to teach children from their earliest years to be neat, cleanly and orderly, not to look upon everything in the home as playthings, not to follow uneducated will in handling things for amusement, and not to keep the house in perpetual disorder by handling things freely and throwing them about on the floor or in the dirt. This requires saying No decidedly and firmly without loss of temper and meaning it, refusing destructive handling, quenching any undesirable habit when it first appears, and not strengthening and cultivating the organ of destruction that is large in babyhood and childhood.
Order and cleanliness are the law of heaven, requiring diligence, industry, neatness, taste and orderly habits in daily life, clothing, homes and surroundings. Disorder is not humility and order is not pride, leaving things in disarray reflects lack of order in religious life, and no one can live consistently as a Christian while neglecting order and cleanliness without recognizing and changing the practice. In dress, in the house and in all things taste and order must be manifest, with a love for neatness and strict cleanliness and cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit in perfecting holiness. Dress is to be neat, modest, tasteful, healthful and simple, arranged with good taste and strict cleanliness with reference to health and neatness, free from gaudy display, worldly extravagance, vanity and slack disorderly habits, so as not to disgust unbelievers but to commend itself to candid minds.
Both worldly extravagance and vanity in dress and the opposite extreme of stretching economy into penuriousness are forbidden, for self and children are not to be denied suitable clothing which it is right and proper to have and which God has furnished means to procure. Clean, neat, modest clothing arranged with taste honors the Sabbath and the worship of God as reverence for God and His house, reflects credit upon Christ and His cause rather than dishonoring Him, and is not pride or worldly display while carelessness and disorder are not humility. The cultivation and elevation of families is to be carried forward decently and in order, and refinement in dress and manners as evidence that people can be improved through changed treatment and diet must be met with respect, never rude treatment. Decency and order also require perfect union, harmony and confidence in household and mission with respect for those called to positions of trust, forbidding distrust, unjust criticism, insubordination and yielding liberty and manhood to be ruled through another's caprices, likes and dislikes, and requiring the faithful steward to stand against that satanic childish controlling spirit while growing in intellect and qualification for the Master's work.
Schools and Baptismal Ordinance
Every church school must be a model of heaven, for order is heaven's first law and is to be kept as such. Schools for small children as well as for older students are to be kept in decency and order that reflects the order and government of heaven, so that angels can walk through the room and see heavenly government in the order and principle of government there. Keeping that order requires solemn care and wise discernment in selecting teachers, securing the very best talent to educate and mold the young and to carry the many lines of school work. No person of inferior or narrow mind belongs in charge of a school, and no young, inexperienced teacher with no managing ability is to be placed over children, for such efforts tend to disorganization and break heaven's law of order.
Instructors maintain orderly principles of government that reflect the order of heaven by preserving the spirit of Christ in temper, communication, and instruction, allowing no passionate word or gesture to mar the work. Placing themselves in the channel of light, they become agents through whom the Lord reflects His likeness of character while He works with every consecrated teacher to impress valuable lessons on the hearts of the children. A faithful teacher disciplines the class and preserves order while treating scholars with love, kindness, and tenderness.
Providing baptismal robes for candidates belongs to conducting the ordinance decently and in order, and it is not needless expense. Each church should provide for its own needs rather than rely on borrowing, with the congregation raising a fund together so the cost is not a heavy burden. Baptism services are to be solemn, beautiful, respectful, and calm, carried out with proper order and reverence and without confusion, struggling, excitement, talking, or laughing that dishonors God. The proper place is pure running water outdoors when possible rather than a box inside a church, and such decency and order honors God, makes a deep impression on minds in the valley of decision, and leads souls to confess Christ by repentance toward God, faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ in whom hope of eternal life is centered, and baptism. The verse is fulfilled when a gathering includes hymns, prayer, and preaching followed by solemn, earnest immersion, even with more than two hundred witnesses present at an open lake of pure, flowing water, making the service pleasant and a public advertisement and victory for the truth.
All things are to be done in a becoming and reverent manner and in orderly system with discipline, exactness, harmony and united action. God is a God of order and not the author of confusion, and He is displeased by disorder, confusion, disorganization and filthiness. Order is the law and first law of heaven, seen in system throughout all His works and in the perfection of created things, and it is to be the law of His people on earth. Worship is therefore to be conducted with reverent stillness, decency and solemnity for edification, not with confusion, noise, fanaticism or strange displays. Thorough organization and discipline in the church are essential and indispensable for supporting the ministry, carrying the work into new fields, protecting against unworthy influences, and carrying forward united gospel labor throughout the world.
Words and Heavenly Pattern
All things are to be done in a becoming manner, with propriety, reverence, solemnity, calmness, beauty and respect, and in order, meaning with system, discipline, exactness, thoroughness, harmony and united action. That becoming order governs household duties done thoroughly with as little noise and confusion as possible, with kitchen and other parts kept clean and study never allowed to crowd out home responsibilities. It governs schools, for order is heaven's first law and every church school is to be a model of heaven in decency and order. It governs ministers and meetings, requiring oneness as Christ is one with the Father, drawing together in even cords without drawing people to self, acknowledging God among them in mutual respect and love, conducting tent meetings and church services with careful words spoken in love and sacred dignity that edify hearers, leaving out unsuitable illustrations, so strangers and regular attendants are impressed with the elevated character of truth and the Holy Spirit can impress minds. It governs baptism, which is to be solemn, beautiful, respectful and calm, without confusion, struggling, excitement, talking or laughing, preferably in pure running water outdoors rather than a box inside, with hymns, prayer, preaching and then solemn earnest immersion, even before more than two hundred witnesses at an open lake of pure flowing water, making the service pleasant, a public advertisement and victory for truth that honors God, impresses deciding minds, and leads souls through repentance toward God, faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and baptism. It governs all work for God, to be carried out carefully and in perfect order with meaning in each action, which is beautiful before God.
God is a God of order and not the author of confusion, and He is displeased by disorder, confusion, distraction, disorganization, filthiness and sin. His service is marked by decorum and reverence, orderly and in harmony with Himself, so wild methods, strange displays and disorder are unauthorized and His methods must win people to Christ. Confusion displeases Him in worship, so order is to be observed in prayer and singing. He requires reform in order and will not sanction slack disorderly habits, but calls for earnest discovery and putting away of errors, cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and cultivating love for neatness and strict cleanliness. Taste and order must appear in dress, in the house and in all things, as a peculiar people in contrast to worldly fashion, with dress and especially dress reform made right, arranged neatly with good taste and strict cleanliness, modest with reference to health and neatness, neat, modest and tasteful without gaudy display, with special reverence for the Sabbath and worship, so as not to disgust unbelievers but commend truth to candid minds.
Order is the law of heaven and the first law of heaven, manifest in system and order throughout all God's works in the universe and in the perfection and arrangement of created things, and it is to be the law of God's people on earth. Diligence, industry, neatness and orderly habits in daily life belong to that heavenly order cultivated on earth. Because heaven is orderly, thorough discipline belongs in the church and organization is essential and indispensable.
The same perfect order, subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host, who are thoroughly organized, work harmoniously and move in perfect order. The more closely their harmony and order are imitated, the more successfully heavenly agents can work in behalf of people. Disorderly, undisciplined, disorganized action that sees no need for harmonious action prevents their successful help, for they cannot work successfully for such a people but turn away in grief, being unauthorized to bless confusion, distraction and disorganization. All who desire cooperation of heavenly messengers must work in unison with them, and those with the unction from on high will in all efforts encourage order, discipline and union of action, which angels can cooperate with and endorse, while they never endorse irregularity, disorganization and disorder, evils that come from Satan's studied effort to weaken forces, destroy courage and prevent successful action.
That heavenly pattern was shown in Israel in the strict order and assigned duties of the tabernacle service, teaching that careless interference with another's work is unacceptable and each must understand responsibilities under rules and regulations. The same order displayed in creation appeared in the Hebrew economy under Moses, whose government was thorough organization wonderful for completeness and simplicity, with God as center of authority and sovereign of Israel, Moses as visible leader by God's appointment to administer laws in His name, assisted by a council of seventy chosen from tribal elders for general affairs, by priests consulting the Lord in the sanctuary, by chiefs or princes ruling over tribes, by captains over thousands and over hundreds and over fifties and over tens, and lastly by officers for special duties. The orderly arrangement of Israel's camp exemplifies the principle even for practical preparations such as laying out a campground and pitching tents, without confusion. As Israel was directed, workers are to act intelligently, faithfully and exactly, for order and harmonious action bring success while careless haphazard work does not meet God's standard.
Because there is order in heaven there must be system and order on earth in God's work, done intelligently, faithfully, exactly and with meaning, so it moves forward without confusion and fanaticism and receives His approval and the seal of His approval, and God is pleased when His people move with system and order. That earthly system must remain living and spiritual, not degenerating into dull mechanical form that deadens energy, earnestness and efficiency and leaves out the Saviour, burden for souls and power to save. It includes system needed to carry forward organized gospel labor and successfully the last great message of mercy to the world, including systematic benevolence in support of the work.
Worship in Decency and Order
Worship gatherings are to be conducted with reverent stillness, decency, solemnity and order for edification, not with confusion, disorder or noise. The service of Christ is marked by decorum and reverence, with practices orderly and in harmony with God, who is not the author of confusion. Wild methods, strange displays, fanaticism and disorder are not authorized in the church, but methods should help win people to Christ. Divine influence is compatible with reverent order, and the presence of the Spirit does not require fanaticism.
True Spirit-led worship shows love, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness and temperance, not harsh expressions, rough language, frequent empty shouts, or noisy, rough, attention-seeking conduct. Voluntary humility and will-worship that draws attention to self rather than Christ breaks decency and order, as when one takes food from the common table to eat behind a door while shouting to display wonderful humility. Such control is by Satan rather than leading by the Spirit of God, while true humility sits at the table with others. Bible order means following the perfect order of heaven with Christ as head, moving steadily according to the Word as the standard rather than relying on uncontrolled excitement or experiences distorted by prior opinions, keeping minds fixed on God rather than on self or others.
In the house of God heedlessness while the words of life are presented is contrary to propriety and order. Reading, whispering and laughing distract others and, if left unchecked, influence them to do the same. Children running about, playing, talking and showing uncontrolled tempers turn the meeting place into confusion. Such disorder desecrates the house of God and violates the Sabbath, brings displeasure, withholds His presence from the assembly, and may leave His people without His help against their enemies. Parents and teachers are responsible for teaching and governing children so the assembly can worship without disturbance.
Order is to be observed in prayer and singing, because confusion displeases God. Prayer in a church meeting should seek a present blessing. Prayer for family members generally belongs at the family altar, and prayer for those far away belongs in private, unless deep feeling under the Spirit's conviction leads to praying for them in the meeting.
Singing is to be done with the Spirit and understanding toward correct, harmonious music, which glorifies God, benefits the church, and favorably affects unbelievers. It requires planning, discipline, leadership, consultation and common sense rather than impulse, carelessness, or each person following his own style and blundering along, which loses its effect on minds. Singers need to be disciplined and kept in working order, willing to consult and accept leadership and not impatient under it, with consecrated thinking powers devising the best ways and means to serve God. Music done in this order has beauty, pathos and power, with voices lifted in praise and devotion and, where practicable, instrumental music joining to send glorious harmony to God as an acceptable offering, so that a church disciplined by the Spirit becomes a power in the world for doing good and saving souls instead of working carelessly for eternity.
Order must be observed in the assemblies of the saints, and every part of His service managed in an orderly, becoming manner. Where order is kept the truth has better effect upon all that hear it, needed solemnity is encouraged, the truth stirs the depths of the soul, no death-like stupor hangs upon hearers, and both believers and unbelievers are affected; where order is not kept the Ark is removed and strength weakened. Church meetings, including tent meetings and church services, should be arranged and conducted with care, with well-matured plans, knowledge of who will labor, and adequate help, so the congregation remains engaged and does not judge the cause by weak efforts and reject truth for error. Words are to be spoken in love with sacred dignity so the Holy Spirit can impress minds as a savor of life unto life, using only words that edify hearers and leaving out unsuitable illustrations or anecdotes, which impresses strangers and regular attendants with the elevated, ennobling character of truth and its power to cleanse the heart. This requires ministers to be one as Christ is one with the Father, drawing together in even cords, not drawing people to themselves but acknowledging God among them, respecting and loving one another. Religious exercises should thus give the people the right kind of education and present the discipline of organization and order.
Order in worship and Sabbath worship includes clean, neat, modest clothing arranged with taste as reverence for God and His house. Such decency and order are not pride or worldly display, while carelessness and disorder are not humility. A believer's appearance should reflect the order and refinement expected of Christians.
Church Organization and Unity
There must be order and thorough discipline in the church, and organization is essential and indispensable for supporting the ministry, carrying the work into new fields, protecting both churches and ministry from unworthy members, holding church property, publishing truth through the press, and carrying forward organized gospel labor and the work throughout the world. Without organization that maintains order, churches become confused and divided and break into fragments with no hope of a united future, and the work cannot be carried forward successfully. Neglect of order allows unqualified persons to take charge and make harmful decisions, bringing confusion, disunity, disunion and reproach upon the cause.
Order must not be abandoned to avoid mere formality, for gospel order was in heaven and in Christ's church and was observed by the apostles. It must also not degenerate into dull mechanical form that deadens energy, earnestness and efficiency, nor into rigid formality or a mass of regulations that stifles spiritual life and leaves out the Saviour, the burden for souls, zeal and power to save. Discouraging features, indifference, formality, pride, and the unconsecrated human mould placed on the work to fashion it to a popular standard are no reason to abolish organization, tear down methods built at great cost after a hard battle ending in victory, and go back to disorder.
Ministers must love order, discipline themselves and then discipline the church to work harmoniously like a well-drilled company of soldiers, for as discipline and order are necessary for successful action on the battlefield they are much more needful in spiritual warfare where eternal interests are at stake. Each member should know his place and understand responsibilities, with the assigned duties and strict order of the tabernacle service showing that careless interference with another's work is not acceptable. Bold independent assertions, walking after independent judgment, self-willed action from impulse, evil surmisings, envy, fault-finding and accusing bring trial, suspicion, disunion and a disordered state, and those persisting in such unconverted conduct become a greater affliction than unbelievers, an element of weakness and instruments of Satan to obtain sympathizers, clog the work and create suspicion, even while thinking they do God's service. Keeping order requires converted members who see defects of character as never before and repent.
Choosing one's own course independent of brethren and of the counsel of God-fearing counselors, boasting of freedom to think and act independently, taking no man's say-so, answering to no man, striking out alone, and regarding all efforts to establish order and discipline as dangerous restriction of personal liberty to be feared as popery is Satan's special deception, not virtue pleasing to God. Safety and strength lie only in moving discreetly and sensibly in harmony with united bodies laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action, respecting church authority and order, acting from principle rather than impulse, and keeping focus on great principles of faith instead of rigidity over minors and fault-finding. Independent judgment, disregard for church authority and disorder create weakness and confusion, so the church must remain united for coordinated service.
God's work must advance by united, concerted, harmonious action under law and not by independent isolated action, like the stars of heaven which are all under law and yield common obedience in doing God's will. Refusal to unite and preference for acting alone brings confusion, represented by strong but untrained horses pulling against each other, one pulling forward while another pulls back, so that activity comes at the wrong time and in the wrong way, often works counter to what God would have done, and is worse than wasted. Near the close of time God's people should move understandingly and be united in effort, of the same mind and same judgment, so efforts are not scattered but tell forcibly in upbuilding present truth.
Satan makes even professed Christians believe order and discipline are enemies to spirituality and that safety is for each to pursue his own course distinct from united bodies, and he seeks to get in among God's people to disorganize the work, divide and scatter the remnant especially near the close of time when he comes with great power knowing his time is short, that they may grow weak and be overthrown, and to weaken forces, destroy courage and prevent successful action. Disorder, lack of discipline and disorganization come from his studied effort and prevent successful work. Angels are thoroughly organized, work harmoniously, and move in perfect order with subjection and thorough discipline, and cannot work successfully for a disorderly, undisciplined, disorganized people but turn away in grief because they are not authorized to bless confusion, distraction and disorganization. The more closely their harmony and order are imitated the more successfully heavenly agents can work in behalf of people, so all who desire cooperation of heavenly messengers must work in unison with them and, with the unction from on high, encourage order, discipline and union of action, which angels endorse and cooperate with, never irregularity, disorganization and disorder.
There was order in the church when Christ was on earth and strict order among the apostles after His departure, with orderly harmonious cooperation, thorough and exact work, united Christians and churches, human effort cooperating with God, and every agency subject to the Holy Spirit. There is more real need of order, discipline, system, exactness and unity of action now in the last days while God brings His children into unity of faith, because Satan and evil angels are busy to undo and destroy that unity. As the final crisis approaches order and harmony are more, not less, necessary, with the work systematic and guided by well-defined plans.
Order includes systematic benevolence and organized giving for charitable purposes and for advancing the message of mercy to the world, which is part of the order God establishes among His people and is needed to carry the last great message successfully. Order in church matters connects with practicing system and order in household and temporal affairs, and those opposing such order should not influence church decisions. God is pleased when His people try to move with system and order, and desires His work done with system and exactness to place upon it the seal of His approval.
Thorough organization built up by wise careful labor must be held evenly with no breaking down of regulation and order, giving no license to disorderly elements that desire to control the work. It is the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings and to refute claims not endorsed by the Word of God, requiring clear discernment to distinguish spurious from genuine when disorderly manifestations appear, and proclaiming no message until it has borne careful scrutiny in every jot and tittle, so truth binds workers like strong cords with no distracted efforts among them. Matters in the church are to be set in order through the Holy Spirit correcting errors and what is going wrong and putting things in order among believers. God's order requires self-control with calmness and propriety of speech in respectful, courteous, Christlike words without temper, a character remodeled after Christ's likeness, support for rules and discipline rather than irregularity, obedience to laws and rules even in little business transactions, and refusal of lawlessness, a demoralized state where everyone follows his own bent and does as he deems right, and wrenching away from order by precept and example.
Gospel Work in System and Harmony
God leads His people into order and not into confusion, and the right kind of order is established by Him to advance His work without restricting or hindering it. All work for God must be done under law and order and not by fancy, caprice, human planning, or the mixing of human sophistry with Bible truth. Those enlisted in Christ's army have no right to work as they choose and dash about with plans of their own without thought for the general good of the cause, but having freely chosen the banner of Prince Emmanuel as the mighty General of armies they must make a complete, willing and hearty surrender, go to God for orders, and obey His directions. All are to labor without division in harmony, part acting with part, in straightforward and sensible lines for the fulfillment of God's purposes and the will of the great Designer who Himself planned His work. To labor in one's own way and refuse directions is to work at cross-purposes with God so that He cannot cooperate, and brings only confusion and entanglement, and those who insist on being a rule to themselves stand under a banner opposed to Christ.
The building of a church is to be carried out faithfully and thoroughly, without insisting on one's own plans and without allowing disappointment to produce envy, discontent or murmuring, but with a Christlike spirit that honors God. The same orderly way applies to the work of institutions and missions, which requires accurate and competent bookkeeping and workers who obey God's directions. Such obedience supports harmony and unity, while careless, disorderly and self-willed work is unacceptable.
Home Dress and Personal Life
Household duties and home life fall under the requirement that everything be done properly and in an orderly way, which means assigned domestic work is to be done thoroughly, carefully and quietly with as little noise and confusion as possible. The kitchen and other parts of the home are to be kept clean, everything is to be kept in its proper place and manner, and book study is not to be made primary while home duties are neglected and the family is made uncomfortable. Learning to keep everything in its place and manner is the most valuable education children can have, and the habit of disorder if not corrected will be carried into every phase of life and will spoil life for usefulness and for true missionary work.
Family rules are to accord with God's word, and orderly family life with discipline and training prepares the family for union with heaven. The usefulness of people in church and home depends on the discipline and training received in the family, and everything done in family life and education at home and school is to be conducted decently and in order in harmony with God's rules and principles. Mothers are therefore to teach children from their earliest years to be neat, cleanly and orderly, not to look upon everything in the home as playthings, not to follow uneducated will in handling things for amusement, and not to keep the house in perpetual disorder by handling things freely and throwing them about on the floor or in the dirt. This requires saying No decidedly and firmly without loss of temper and meaning it, refusing destructive handling, quenching any undesirable habit when it first appears, and not strengthening and cultivating the organ of destruction that is large in babyhood and childhood.
Order and cleanliness are the law of heaven, requiring diligence, industry, neatness, taste and orderly habits in daily life, clothing, homes and surroundings. Disorder is not humility and order is not pride, leaving things in disarray reflects lack of order in religious life, and no one can live consistently as a Christian while neglecting order and cleanliness without recognizing and changing the practice. In dress, in the house and in all things taste and order must be manifest, with a love for neatness and strict cleanliness and cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit in perfecting holiness. Dress is to be neat, modest, tasteful, healthful and simple, arranged with good taste and strict cleanliness with reference to health and neatness, free from gaudy display, worldly extravagance, vanity and slack disorderly habits, so as not to disgust unbelievers but to commend itself to candid minds.
Both worldly extravagance and vanity in dress and the opposite extreme of stretching economy into penuriousness are forbidden, for self and children are not to be denied suitable clothing which it is right and proper to have and which God has furnished means to procure. Clean, neat, modest clothing arranged with taste honors the Sabbath and the worship of God as reverence for God and His house, reflects credit upon Christ and His cause rather than dishonoring Him, and is not pride or worldly display while carelessness and disorder are not humility. The cultivation and elevation of families is to be carried forward decently and in order, and refinement in dress and manners as evidence that people can be improved through changed treatment and diet must be met with respect, never rude treatment. Decency and order also require perfect union, harmony and confidence in household and mission with respect for those called to positions of trust, forbidding distrust, unjust criticism, insubordination and yielding liberty and manhood to be ruled through another's caprices, likes and dislikes, and requiring the faithful steward to stand against that satanic childish controlling spirit while growing in intellect and qualification for the Master's work.
Schools and Baptismal Ordinance
Every church school must be a model of heaven, for order is heaven's first law and is to be kept as such. Schools for small children as well as for older students are to be kept in decency and order that reflects the order and government of heaven, so that angels can walk through the room and see heavenly government in the order and principle of government there. Keeping that order requires solemn care and wise discernment in selecting teachers, securing the very best talent to educate and mold the young and to carry the many lines of school work. No person of inferior or narrow mind belongs in charge of a school, and no young, inexperienced teacher with no managing ability is to be placed over children, for such efforts tend to disorganization and break heaven's law of order.
Instructors maintain orderly principles of government that reflect the order of heaven by preserving the spirit of Christ in temper, communication, and instruction, allowing no passionate word or gesture to mar the work. Placing themselves in the channel of light, they become agents through whom the Lord reflects His likeness of character while He works with every consecrated teacher to impress valuable lessons on the hearts of the children. A faithful teacher disciplines the class and preserves order while treating scholars with love, kindness, and tenderness.
Providing baptismal robes for candidates belongs to conducting the ordinance decently and in order, and it is not needless expense. Each church should provide for its own needs rather than rely on borrowing, with the congregation raising a fund together so the cost is not a heavy burden. Baptism services are to be solemn, beautiful, respectful, and calm, carried out with proper order and reverence and without confusion, struggling, excitement, talking, or laughing that dishonors God. The proper place is pure running water outdoors when possible rather than a box inside a church, and such decency and order honors God, makes a deep impression on minds in the valley of decision, and leads souls to confess Christ by repentance toward God, faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ in whom hope of eternal life is centered, and baptism. The verse is fulfilled when a gathering includes hymns, prayer, and preaching followed by solemn, earnest immersion, even with more than two hundred witnesses present at an open lake of pure, flowing water, making the service pleasant and a public advertisement and victory for the truth.