By Roy Blackwood

There is evidence in early church history and in Medieval and Reformation history of the existence of a particular kind of Bible study. It is prescribed by God in I Corinthians 14. Wherever or whenever Christ was building and reforming His Church, this kind of Bible study could be found. Conversely, when this kind of group Bible study lapsed, the Church somehow fell into the hands of men and stopped growing or reforming.

It was a “most important” factor in Reformation history. John Calvin in his Ecclesiastical Ordinances (15-41) prescribed such a meeting every Friday evening. Knox required it for the English congregation in Geneva (1556). John Lasco (1550) required it in London. Calvin probably learned of it from Martin Bucer in Strasbourg. The French Book of Order called it a “Colloquy”. For the Dutch it was an important part of their “Consistory”. The Scots called it first the “Exercise” and then the “Society” meeting. Zwingli and Kuiper warned about abuses that must not be allowed to creep in, just as does the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14.

John Knox, with reference to I Corinthians 14, in his first Book of Discipline called it “The Exercise” and required it be each Thursday night in every parish.

“To the end that the Church of God may have a trial of men’s knowledge, judgment, graces and utterances…And also such as somewhat have profited in God’s Word may from time to time grow to more full perfection to serve the Church as necessity shall require.”

And Knox added,

“It is important that every town…one certain day every week be appointed to that exercise which St. Paul called prophesying.”

To finish the rest of the article go to: https://www.alliancenet.org/reformation-societies/reforming-your-bible-study