Truth Magazine

By Dennis C. Abernathy

In the Baptist Standard appeared an article by Jim Lowry concerning a conference taught by John Sullivan who is “pastor” of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, LA. The article is entitled: “Sullivan: Church Can Be Hospital, Firing Squad.” In this article Sullivan said he tries to approach problems (Divorce and Remarriage) on the basis of love, mercy and forgiveness rather than legality.” He further said: “The church has to deal with the problems of the family. When dealing with persons who remarry, the church becomes either a hospital or a firing squad.” Sullivan said: “It’s interesting, we are willing to forgive everything but divorce.” “In your church you have to answer if whether you are as ready as Jesus to forgive and reclaim the divorced and remarried persons.” “People are going to marry, even within the church, so they can fit back into society. We need to learn to have a forgiveness that releases from the bondage of guilt and helps us to live in a forgiving community.” Jim Lowry states that “Sullivan performs marriages between divorced individuals and holds the opinion, ‘If they ask forgiveness for the sin of divorce, they are not living in adultery. “‘

A “dilemma” is “a situation involving choice between equally unsatisfactory alternatives.” It seems to me that not a few of our brethren, and a considerable number of churches, are in a dilemma on the matter of divorce and remarriage. A couple is divorced (not for fornication) and then one or both remarries and seeks to be a member of the local church. Here is the dilemma. The church must inform the couple that they are living in adultery and cannot be in fellowship as long as they remain in that condition and that they must repent of the sin (which means to cease the relationship they are in). Realize, too, that there may be children involved and if these people are turned away from the church, the children, more than likely, will grow up alienated from the church. Facing the reality that not many will cease from such a relationship, many of our brethren feel this choice and course of action is too harsh, being void of love and mercy, and is legalistic, therefore unacceptable. On the other hand, they realize what the Bible says concerning divorce and remarriage. To accept divorced and remarried people into fellowship (when the divorce was not for fornication) also seems unacceptable. Hence, the dilemma. Brethren, these situations just do not go away. They must be dealt with in a scriptural way. We must know what the Bible says on this matter and have the courage and conviction of heart and love for the souls of others, to tell them the scriptural course to follow.

I’m afraid that too many members of the church have taken the course outlined by John Sullivan, “If they ask forgiveness for the sin of divorce, they are not living in adultery.” But one cannot be forgiven of adultery until one repents of adultery. And one cannot repent and at the same time continue to live in adultery. If one is living with another that he has no lawful right to, he cannot just say that he is sorry and then go on living with the one he has no right to live with.

Understanding what Jesus said on divorce and remarriage is not the problem leading to the above dilemma, but applying it to ourselves, our friends, and our loved ones is the thing that causes the dilemma.

Jesus is very plain on this subject. It involves those who did the “putting away” and those who were “put away.” A key question is this: Was fornication (adultery) involved in the “putting away”? Why that question, you ask? Jesus said in Luke 16:18 that one who puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery. He then says that “whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” The only exception to this is when the “putting away” was for fornication (Matt. 19:9). Then, the one doing the putting away (the innocent party) can remarry, and the one who is put away (for fornication) cannot.

But brethren facing a dilemma, will say that two people can divorce for reasons other than fornication and then later when one of the parties remarries, thus committing fornication, the other party can then put that one away (in his mind or in the eyes of God) and be free to remarry. I freely admit brethren, that I have never read that in the Bible. Will you please read it to me?

Jesus said when people divorce, where no fornication is involved, both the one who does the putting away and the one who is put away are living in adultery if they remarry.

In conclusion, all who love God and their fellow man should be willing to forgive another of any sin when the sin is repented of and forgiveness is sought in God’s way. But to say that we as individuals, or the church as the church, should set aside God’s laws on divorce and remarriage because it is difficult to apply in some situations is not tenable. Brethren, think on these things.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 18, pp. 547-548
September 19, 1985

By Ronny Milliner

“And who is my neighbor?” asked a certain lawyer of Jesus. The story that Jesus told in answer to that question shows that my neighbor can be anybody, not just the fellow next door (Lk. 10:25-37). Paul shows in Romans 13:8-14 that our basic duty to our neighbor is to love him.

Love’s Debt

“Owe no one anything except to love one another” (13:8a). Love is the debt we cannot ever pay off. It may seem like we will never get the car or the house paid off, but if time continues those debts can be met, But not love. Every individual on the face of the earth is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). We must come to respect each person and love him even as God does.

Love’s Design

Paul continues, “For he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (13:8b). A man who truly loves his neighbor will not take his neighbor’s wife. A man who truly loves his neighbor will not take his neighbor’s goods. A man who truly loves his neighbor will not lie about his neighbor. A man who truly loves his neighbor will not covet anything that belongs to his neighbor. No wonder Jesus said concerning the commandments to love God and to love our neighbor that “on these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets” (Mt. 22:37-40).

Love’s Degree

To what degree am I to love my neighbor? Paul answers, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (13:9b). Of course, this implies that one loves and is concerned about himself to the right degree. I should do for my neighbor even as I would do for myself. The principle of the “Golden Rule” will be followed here (Mt. 7:12).

Love’s Denial

There is a negative side of love. “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law” (13:10). Have you ever noticed the number of “nots” in Paul’s great description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7? He says, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Loving my neighbor as myself will keep me from abusing or mistreating him in any fashion.

Love’s Directive

Two reasons are given as to why we should love our neighbors. One is that it is time to awaken. The apostle writes, “And know this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (13:11-12a). Opportunities to love my neighbor and do him good are quickly flying by. Soon we will be in eternity and time will be no more. Therefore we should hasten to the duties at hand.

The second reason given is that it is time to alter (13:12b-14). We should put off the deeds of darkness, like revelry, drunkenness, licentiousness, lewdness, strife, and envy. The flesh and its lust have no part in the Christian’s life. Instead, we should put on the armor of light, a proper walk, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Do you treat your neighbor like yourself? You should be willing to do so. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 17, p. 531
September 5, 1985

By Mike Willis

One of the characteristics of the churches of Christ which strike our visitors as different and unusual is the fact that we do not have a piano, organ, or other kind of mechanical instrument of music in our worship. Some appreciate the difference and some do not.

When visitors learn that our reason for not having mechanical instruments of music in worship is doctrinal, frequently they react negatively. When a sermon is heard condemning the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, some judgmentally condemn us for “judging” others and “judge” us to be extremely narrow-minded and bigoted.

Recognizing that some people will immediately dismiss any discussion of the issue as “much ado about nothing,” I find myself faced with the difficult task of trying to convince a prejudiced person when I try to explain what I believe. I only request that you give me a fair hearing, and that whatever decision you reach on the subject will be based on what the Bible teaches rather than on preconceived notions.

Some Misconceptions People Have About Why We Oppose Mechanical Instruments Of Music In Worship

Some people who are aware that we do not use mechanical instruments of music in worship do not understand why we have chosen not to use them. Here are some misconceptions which people have: (1) We have a personal distaste for instrumental music in worship. Actually, most of us like to hear songs sung with mechanical instruments of music and some among us are very talented musicians. (2) We think singing with instrumental accompaniment is better. Our reasons are not based on personal opinion and judgment. (3) Our objection to mechanical instruments of music is a cultural objection, much like the Amish objection to driving automobiles. Our objections are not related to our culture. (4) We cannot afford a piano. Most congregations among us can easily afford a piano or organ. (5) We do not have anyone qualified to play the piano. In most congregations with which I have had contact, someone among them has the ability to play the piano or organ. Hence, the conceptions which some have of why we object to mechanical instruments in our worship are inaccurate.

Having set aside these misconceptions, let me explain why we oppose mechanical instruments of music in worship.

Divine Worship Is Revealed From God

God has never left man to grope in the dark to find the kind of worship which pleases Him. Instead, God has given man a divine revelation to show men the kind of morality, family life, and worship which pleases Him. This is demonstrated for us very early in the Scriptures.

God revealed the kind of worship which men were to offer when they left the Garden of Eden. The Scriptures relate, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. . . ” (Heb. 11:4). One can walk by faith only when he moves in obedience to God’s divine revelation (Rom. 10:17). Hence, Abel offered unto God the kind of sacrifice which God commanded. In contrast, Cain offered a sacrifice to God with which God was not pleased, and He rejected it (Gen. 4:4-5). This Bible account demonstrates that not all worship pleases God; the only worship which pleases God is that which is offered in compliance with God’s divine revelation.

Another incident which demonstrates that worship must be offered according to the revelation which God has given to us is found in 1 Kings 12:13. God had revealed to Moses on Mt. Sinai the kind of worship which His people were to offer to Him (see Exod.-Deut.). About 500 years later, the kingdom of Israel divided into two nations-Israel and Judah. King Jeroboam of Israel was afraid that the worship in Jerusalem would draw men back to Judah. Consequently, he established an alternate form of worship in Bethel and Dan. He changed the worship place from Jerusalem to Bethel and Dan; he used idols in their worship; he used men from every tribe for priests rather than using only Levites; he changed the date of the holy day (cf. 1 Kgs. 12:25-33). The Scriptures say, “This thing became a sin” (I Kgs. 12:30). God had revealed the kind of worship which should be offered to God; when they departed from it, they were guilty of sin and their worship was unacceptable.

The New Testament reinforces these same facts. Jesus taught that worship had to be offered according to the pattern which God revealed for it to be acceptable to God. When the Pharisees made “washing of hands” a religious ceremony, Jesus condemned their practice saying, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:8-9). There is nothing morally wrong with washing one’s hands before eating. However, to make it an act of worship to God was to render worship useless. Anything which is introduced into worship on the authority of man will nullify one’s worship.

Paul described a kind of worship as “will worship” (Col. 2:23). Will worship is a worship devised by man, according to man’s perception of what is good. Men subjected themselves to ordinances such as, “Touch not; taste not; handle not” –ordinances from men, not from God (Col. 2:22). This worship is useless. It honors and glorifies the men who invented, devised, and willed it. Rather than glorifying God, it dishonors Him.

The warnings of Scripture emphasize the need for man to content himself with obeying what God’s word has commanded and revealed. The punishment of hell will come upon those who step outside the boundaries of God’s word in their worship. Notice the following warnings:

Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son (2 Jn. 9).

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19).

Other Scriptures such as Galatians 1:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:3, 4:1-3 and others could be cited. All of them warn of the dangers of failing to do what God has commanded and doing things which He has not commanded. All of them urge Christians to walk within the revelation of God’s word given to us through the inspired apostles and prophets.

The Kind Of Music Which God Accepts

Having learned the importance of confining our worship to what the Bible has revealed, we now need to learn what kind of worship pleases God. From the outset, we recognize that the kind of worship which pleases God must be revealed in the New Testament. All Christians understand that a return to the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament would be a rejection of the all-sufficient atonement of the blood of Christ. Hence, the kind of worship which Christians are to offer must be learned from the New Testament.

Our study of the kind of worship which pleases God is limited to the kind of music which pleases God. Here are the New Testament passages which discuss the music of the saints:

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives (Matt. 26:30; cf. Mk. 14:26).

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God. . . (Acts 16:25).

Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name (Rom. 15:9).

I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also (1 Cor. 14:15).

. . . speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God (Col. 3:16).

I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise (Heb. 2:12).

Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms (Jas. 5:13).

These are all of the New Testament passages which refer to the music used by the disciples in their worship to God. The things which impress us about their worship in song are that (1) it was congregational and (2) it was vocal. The early church knew nothing about special singing groups to entertain them in worship. The early church did not use mechanical instruments of music in worship.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 18, pp. 546, 567
September 19, 1985

By Ramon Madrigal

Most Christians realize that the first century church experienced tremendous growth both in numbers and in spirit. Indeed, about 3000 repentant sinners were converted in response to the very first gospel sermon. What we often overlook is that this notable increase occurred under very hostile circumstances. Perhaps the presentation of a television miniseries like “A.D.,” aired last spring, helped graphically illustrate the problems and dilemmas our early brethren had to face. While much of the material in that movie was inaccurate and speculative, the Christians were, indeed, “fed to the lions” and treated cruelly. It was under such circumstances that the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation and admonished his brethren to be “faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10). Stephen was the first martyr, but certainly not the last (Acts 7).

So how is it in modern times that many churches seem “dead” spiritually and show little growth? We enjoy relative religious freedom and little governmental persecution at the present time. If the kingdom was able to grow in the first century within a belligerent environment, should not the modern church abound in growth and maturity?

Let me suggest to you that affluence and prosperity present special problems and trials to contemporary Christians. People who enjoy good health, a stable economy, and untold luxuries and leisure have a tendency to forget about God! Who needs the Lord when everything is going so well? The lesson of early Christianity is unmistakable: Growth is a product of dependence on God. This is why Jesus taught that the “poor in spirit are blessed” (Matt. 5:3). We need to humble ourselves before God and before our fellow-man. We ought to entrust to God our lives, expressing our humility and dependence to our Maker. Every Christian can do this in the following ways:

(1) Prayer. I suppose that there is no act or event that so vividly expresses our humility and lowliness as prayer. Yet this is our avenue of communication to God. Through prayer we can come boldly before the throne of grace and discuss life with our Lord. He will give us the strength and stamina we need to carry our crosses. How else could Paul and Silas endure the prison of Philippi?

(2) Singing. It is written that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Perhaps there is nothing as powerful to stimulate and motivate the mind as music. That is why the advertising industry uses musical “jingles” to sell products. That is how a lustful and sinful world sells a lascivious lifestyle to young and nimble minds. On the other hand, it is also how Christians can keep their thoughts on honorable, just, pure, and lovely things. Why not begin each day with a spiritual song? Like certain culinary foods, it is likely to “repeat” all day in your heart!

(3) Study. The Psalmist declared that he meditated on God’s law both day and night. So must we! The most effective way to eliminate evil and corrupt thoughts and desires from our minds is to fill and refill our minds with “things that are higher” and “things that are nobler.” Study also prepares us for the most important work of communicating our faith to others who “see our good works and glorify God” (Matt. 5:16). How else can we be ready to give answer to those who ask us to explain our hope (1 Pet. 3:15)?

(4) Sharing. By this we mean the deliberate and conscious effort to evangelize a lost and dying humanity. All have fallen short of God’s grace and stand condemned before God without Christ. Do you know of a friend, relative, or neighbor who needs the blood of the Lamb? Of course you do. Share your faith with him or her! Invite them to the services of the church; write a letter or send a tract; make that phone call and express your love and concern. We can do all things “through Christ who gives us strength” (Phil. 4:13).

While each of these items can be expressed in our assemblies together, I believe that the greatest growth is accomplished “behind the scenes.” Personal growth is primary and preparatory to church growth. Constant and fervent prayer “in our closets” shows God (and no one else) that we are aware of our need for Him. While our co-workers may sing along with Kenny Rogers or Juice Newton, we should sing spiritual songs and hymns to the glory of God. Who knows, maybe we’ll actually influence somebody for good rather than being influenced by evil. Although it may be relaxing and entertaining to watch 3-6 hours of television each night, can we not find 10-30 minutes to meditate on the Word? Can we not scrape together 20 minutes to regularly share our faith to others in some way?

These are things that we all can do, whatever talents and abilities God has given to us. The preacher cannot pray or sing for you. That is your responsibility both in and out of the church building. Neither can the elders study and evangelize for me. That is my responsibility and opportunity. May God give us the wisdom to recognize our utter dependence on Him, the courage and confidence to continue in the faith, and the zeal to evangelize the world!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 18, pp. 545, 566
September 19, 1985