Truth Magazine

By Leslie Diestelkamp

When we express to the heavenly Father the adoration, praise and homage that is in our hearts, it should be beneficial to us and pleasing to God. To accomplish this two-fold purpose, such worship must be both spontaneous and scripturally directed. That is, our expressions must be made voluntarily and even enthusiastically; at the same time, such expressions must be made in response to Divine directions we have learned from the Word.

In jubilant, exuberant enthusiasm we may stamp our feet, clap our hands, scream in delirious delight, shout, cry and laugh, all of which may bring joy to our hearts and peace to our minds, and yet find no favor with God. Conversely, we may sing beautiful words of praise, pray eloquently, give generously and partake of the bread and fruit of the vine, doing all of these just because God directs such, but doing so without sincerity, humility and spiritual discernment, and still find no favor with God.

Definitions

Worship: What is it? It is the offering of homage and praise to someone or something. Pattern: What do we mean by pattern? It is not merely an example but, rather, the total teaching of the Bible on the subject being considered.

God desires and expects to be worshiped (Jn. 4:23), and He asks that we worship “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). But He has not left us to grope or to wonder what will please Him. He has very explicitly revealed that way. God knows what He wants us to do to express our worship and He knows that we are incapable of discerning His desires except as He reveals them to us. Consequently, He has given the written Word and in it He has given an absolute pattern for our worship today. He said, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9). Paul wrote that men could not know the mind of God by human mentality and, for that very reason, God has revealed such to us: “. . . so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Cor. 2:9-12).

In every age, God has revealed His desires regarding worship. He has always hated presumptuousness. Thus, God has not only revealed to every generation what He wants, but by such revelation He has set a limitation. He has never been pleased with those who have taken the matter into their own hands and have followed human wisdom – either their own wisdom or that of other men.

Examples

Though we do not have the details of God’s instruction to Cain and Abel, we know such instruction had been given (Gen. 4:4-7). Cain’s error in worship was presumptuousness! We cannot be sure whether Cain offered the wrong item or if he merely offered an inferior item of the correct kind. We do know that God was very displeased with his lack of subjectiveness in the matter.

Saul lost his kingdom because he “forced himself” in making a sacrificial offering in violation of God’s commandment (1 Sam. 13:8-14). God rejected and condemned those who “worship the work of their own hands” (Isa. 2:8; Jer. 1:16; Psa. 115:1-8). Of course this refers to idolatry – to the worship of images the people made but it would surely include any worship that is essentially a man-made system. We must face the reality that there is surely very little difference in worshiping a false god or in worshiping the true God in unauthorized ways! All such worship is of human wisdom, not of God’s revelation.

Nadab and Abihu “offered strange fire before the Lord” and God destroyed them for disobedience (Lev. 10:1, 2). It was a very simple case of presumptuousness! From all such examples, we must surely learn that God has revealed His will and His way; we must not, dare not, disobey His Word and/or follow the way of men – either the way of our own wisdom or that of famous theologians.

We actually know very little about acceptable worship in the age of the patriarchs. We do know that such worship included sacrifice (Gen. 4:314; 8:20, 21; 13:18; 22:5, 13). It is significant, however, that God obviously revealed what sacrifices should be made, as we can necessarily infer from the story of the sacrifices made by Cain and Abel and by Noah after the flood. Actually, I believe correctness of the worship by the patriarchs depended mostly upon the sincerity and subjectiveness of the individual.

But we know much more about the worship of the Jews. Theirs includes sacrifice and various certain items were specified – animals of certain kinds and quality as well as grain, oil, wine and birds, etc. (see Num. 18:8-19). Indeed, the Jewish worship was significantly ceremonial. Favor with God seemed to depend principally on the rigid observance of the riturals and rites.

Rejected Patterns

In the Old Testament dispensation, the Jews frequently neglected or rejected the God-given arrangement for their worship. For instance, some certain worship was to be done in Jerusalem (see Deut. 12:5, 11, 13; 1 Kings 9:1-3). But the ten tribes, under the leadership of Jeroboam, changed the place to Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30).

Of course, in studying the reference given above, one will notice that idolatry is involved. That is, in addition to changing the authorized place for certain worship, they also set up images, etc. So we see the natural turn of events – one departure – one deviation from the pattern will inevitably lead to other departures! This was significantly true of the worship of the Jews, when one item of authorized action was violated, this usually led to other violations. One false step led to other wrong actions also. In this case, they made images, established “high places” of their own making and even changed the priesthood (see 1 Kings 12:13).

Jesus teaches us.that it has never been possible to compensate for disobedience by substituting enthusiasm in worship. He quoted from Isaiah who said, “This people honoreth me with their lips but their heart is far from me” (Isa. 29:13). So Jesus emphasizes, “In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mt. 15:9). This was not a new principle; it was an age-old principle that was always true and always will be true. A classic example is David, who, with the people, worshipped enthusiastically but disobeyed, so much so that David was forced to conclude that, “. . . our Lord made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order” (1 Chron. 13:7-10; 15:13).

The New Testament Pattern

Several features of the Jewish worship are completely eliminated in the doctrine of Christ. For instance: (1) There is no significance regarding any geographical location for any of our worship (Jn. 4:21); (2) The Sabbath day worship was repealed (Col. 2:14-17; Gal. 4:1-11, etc.); (3) The use of instrumental music in worship was eliminated in that it was not included in the New Testament pattern for praise (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16, etc.); (4) The significant ceremonial aspect of Jewish worship was replaced by that which is “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24); (5) The sacrifices that were permitted and even required under the Old Testament patterns were eliminated because of the supreme sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, once for all (Heb. 10:10-14) and because of the superior sacrifice which we are to offer, that is, “the sacrifice of praise to God . . . the fruit of our lips . . .” (Heb. 13:15).

The New Testament pattern is very simple and uncomplicated. It involves the worshipper in direct communion with God. If we respect the positive Word of the Lord, we will find that we may express the worship that is in our hearts by singing (Eph. 5:19), by praying, teaching, giving and observing the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:42). Furthermore, we find the following demanding characteristics of this simple means of worship.

1. We may express our worship in singing, prayer and study of the Word at any time, anywhere, alone or together (see Acts 16:25; Eph. 5:19, etc.).

2. We must express our worship in the Lord’s supper and in giving on the first day of the week when brethren gather together for that purpose (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2).

3. Thus, we may, on the Lord’s day, when we will have come together for giving and for the Lord’s supper, also sing, pray and study, since these latter three may be done any time.

4. If we fail not to have the Lord’s supper and to give in the “togetherness” of the Lord’s Day worship, we may then, on that same day, or at any other time on any other day, worship by singing, praying and/or studying. In other words, the Lord’s supper and giving are specifically patterned for the first day of the week, but singing, praying and studying are patterned without regard to date, time or place.

Conclusion

All that we do must be done “as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23). Indeed, it must be done “in the name of the Lord” (Col. 3:17), which simply means that we must conduct all of our worship by the authority of Christ (Jn. 14:6). He has fully revealed His will to us in the written Word (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:3, etc.). We must determine to be content with what is written – with the revealed pattern. The traditions of men, the customs of our fore-fathers or the desires of the people today are of no consequence in determining what we must do. In fact, we have no right to decide what we will do. We Pave only to discern what God has decided! Without wavering with regard to scriptural principles, we must worship God with correct attitudes and in authorized expressions. Today, let us have the honesty to examine every feature of our worship in the light of the revealed Word and then determine to worship in complete accord with the Bible pattern.

QUESTIONS

1. What is worship and what is meant by a pattern for such?
2. Is sincere worship always acceptable to God?
3. Who may decide what is done in worship?
4. What scriptures show God’s desires for worship today? What is God’s attitude toward worship of idols?
5. What were the main qualities necessary for worship in the Patriarchal age?
6. What seems to have been the main emphasis in the Jewish age?
7. What is the chief emphasis to determine quality of N.T. worship?
8. In what activities may we scripturally engage as we worship God today?
9. Can you find a N.T. pattern for your worship – for what you do and how you do it and for the circumstances involved?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 19, pp. 306-308
May 8, 1980

By Mike Willis

One of the jobs which fell my upon my shoulders in 1979 was the preparation of a catalog for Truth Magazine Bookstore (and; several other bookstores -which shared in’ our cooperative catalog efforts). When I reorganized the material by subject matter, I found that there was very little material available to brethren on the subject of instrumental music. Despite the fact that brethren have had a multitude of debates on the subject, there is only one debate presently in print on the usage of mechanical instruments of music in worship (The Shelly-Dunning Debate). Too, there are only a few books available on the subject:

The March 1980 issue of Restoration Review, which is edited by Leroy Garrett, told about the introduction of mechanical instruments of music in the Belmont Church in Nashville in 1979. In what I was told was an 8 to 3 vote among the elders, the Belmont Church decided that instruments of music would be used in the worship with the songs.

This event reminds us of the necessity of teaching constantly on the subject of mechanical instruments of music in worship. A new generation has grown up which did not go through the fight on instrumental music. By and large, the fight has been put so far behind us that very little preaching is being done on the subject. When I was a lad, one of standard sermons which a person could expect to hear in a gospel meeting was “Why Churches of Christ Do Not Use Mechanical Instruments of Music In Worship.” Just how long has it been since you read an article or tract on that subject? How long has it been since you read an article or tract on that subject?

Peter wrote, “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance . . .” (2 Pet. 1:11-12). Similarly, I felt the need to remind brethren of why instrumental music is not to be used in our worship. We do not need to go through another division on this subject! The only safeguard which we have is a membership which is taught on the subject.

Those who fought the battle against the introduction of instrumental music in worship are gone. Do the elders in the church of which you are a member know why instrumental music in worship is sinful? Will the next generation of elders know? With the desire that this material will be helpful in instructing brethren on this subject, we present these special issues on this subject. We hope that you will. help us to give it a good circulation.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 19, p. 306
May 8, 1980

By William C. Sexton

Problems of priority seem to plague most of us. We fail to do “first” things first; consequently, we fail to achieve what would be otherwise reached. For example, if we are to reap a harvest, seed must be planted at planting time; the person who fails to plant seed will fail to reap.

The Bible points to some things that must be done “first,” if desirable achievements are to be realized. We shall call our attention to some of the “first’s” of the Scriptures:

l. Knowing the Origin of the Scriptures is essential to a proper understanding and appreciation of them (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Peter said, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Without this “first” acknowledgment relative to the source from which the writings called “scripture” came, one is not equipped to pay careful enough attention to what is said. I see many reading the Bible who have not achieved this “first”; consequently, they have not learned the fundamental lessons needed. We challenge each reader to ponder the affirmation of the Scriptures in regard to their origin. Either accept it, or suspend your faith in it till you can; but when you can and do, then your study and response to its teaching will result.

2.Seeking God and His Kingdom ‘:first,” above everything else, is essential to achieving salvation and serving to one’s full potential (Mt. 6:33ff). We have trouble doing this, do we not? Yet, several times the point is made that this type of activity is what brings God’s blessings (cf. Heb. 11:6).

There seems to be, in our time in particular, a cynical response to this type of affirmation. Some will openly chide those who claim that such priority is to be given to religious participation, as though it were an ideal but unrealistic and unachievable goal. Consequently, it appears that, to many religious professing people, zeal is something to praise but never possess or exhibit in one’s religious life. Beloved, such an attitude and response is destructive to the professor of religious belief; also, such is influential in a lasting negative way to the observer of religious practices. So, we challenge you to think of the danger of manifesting this type of feeling toward religion. The religion of Christ is -not some idealistic, impractical set of suggestions; the religion of the Son of God is demanding (cf. Lk. 14:25ff) and rewarding: it is a way of life, asking no more than one can give, but calling for all of you and. me!

3. Cleansing of the inside is essential to the acceptable character in the Lord’s sight (Mt. 23:26). Jesus came to seek the lost (Lk. 19:10) so they could have their sins washed away by His blood (Heb. 9:22; 10:1-14). Only that type of cleansing is real, lasting, and beneficial to the person stained by sins (1 Pet. 1:18-21). However, to reach the cleansing power, one must be touched in the depth of his being, be pricked in his/her heart (Acts 2:37; Mt. 5:3, 4, 6) feel the poverty mourn, and hunger and thirst for righteousness.

That person must have his/her intellect enlightened of the true character of God to see that He can not tolerate sin; in Him there is no darkness (1 Jn. 1:5). The emotions, also, must be quickened to desire and long for right! He must turn away from sin, die to it (Rom. 6:lff). The will must be activated, so as to allow God’s rule to govern in his behavior (cf. Mt. 21:28-29; 2 Pet. 3:9-10). Obedience will be an indication of one’s heart-rendering commitment (Rom. 6:17-18; Pet. 1:22-23). Expressing that trust and completing that transitional move is achieved in confessing (Rom. 10:9-10) and being baptized “into Christ”(Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4). Coming forth as a “new” creature (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 2:12; 3:1-10) is manifested by the behavior and felt in the mind and heart by the truly converted, translated person (Col. 1:12-13).

The person who has gone through the “form,” but denies the power thereof in his conduct is to be recognized for his true unregenerated state (2 Tim. 3:1-5). Beloved, there are many who claim to be saved who have not performed the acts required by God; but, likewise, many who have observed the “form” deny the power of God’s word tb change their conduct and character.

4. Knowing that “scoffers” are to route is a “first” for Christians to be successful in fighting the fight of faith (2 Pet. 3:3ff). Peter said that we need to recognize “first” that such would come and to be aware of their willing “ignorance” of certain facts in the history of mankind.

There are, evidently, many who find it out of harmony with their concept to suspect certain “false teachers,” who would come acting so humanistically and knowledgably. Various efforts to deceive are used by anti-divine messengers. If we do not take into account the various efforts to divert attention and deceive the hearts of people relative to the fundamental truths, then we will be swept off our feet and conditioned for an eternity of destruction (Rev. 20:10 – remember that the key words are “false” and “deceived”).

5. Commitment of the “first” order is essential if one is to be a real disciple of the Lord (Lk. 14:25ff). One must leave everything to a secondary priority position if he is to “come” to the Lord and be His disciple. He cannot “love” the parents, family members, marriage partner, ‘nor even one’s own life more than he loves Christ (see Mt. 10:37-39). To this necessity, many fail to commit themselves. They ignore the need, rightness, and essentiality of such.

Beloved, if one is not willing to commit self to the Lord “first,” then he has a priority problem of the first magnitude, it will drown one in the sea of instability; there will never be the clear-cut confidence of what “ought” to be done, because the decisive facture will be missing. God deserves to be “first” (Mt. 22:37). Have we responded or have we been lured by the prospect of achievement but been unwilling to take the final step of commitment?

None of us can be boastful because we have done this, but it is necessary that each of us assess our condition in light of the divine standard given for that purpose. If we have not really committed our lives to Him, then let us recognize it. Then we need to ask if we really do want to commit ourselves to Him to do His service. Otherwise, we will go through life deceived, be disappointed at the judgment, and suffer the fires of hell eternally.

Beloved the Lord calls fur us to come. We can see the need to come. The question, then, is that of priority; ha\e we really placed “first” things first?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, pp. 299-300
May 1, 1980

By Dennis C. Abernathy

I, for one, believe with all my heart that we are to “preach the cross,” that we are to “preach Christ and him crucified.” There is good reason for that belief. Read, if you will, 1 Corinthians 1:23; 15:1-4; 2:2; 1:17-18; Gal. 6:14. But, my friend, we must remember what is involved in “preaching the cross.” We might say that it is the foundation facts of the gospel of Christ, but it is not all of the gospel. The gospel reveals the cross and the crucified one to us and sheds illuminating light upon that event and makes it meaningful to us.

Some say, “Just preach the cross, and not baptism all of the time.” “If you will just preach the cross, people will understand the rest and be led to obey it.” “We need to just preach the cross and not argue so much about baptism, etc.” Someone else says, “We need to preach the cross and not jump right to the conditions of salvation.”

Now I realize that good is intended by such remarks and in a sense these things are true, if properly understood, if one does not go to the extreme with it, and if one does not just teach the death of Christ and ignore the conditions of salvation. When I talk about preaching the cross, I am talking about preaching the facts of that event and making the application of such to one’s life. It is rather naive to think you can preach the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and not preach baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the church. Will people automatically understand they are to be baptized for the remission of their sins if we do not teach it to them? Do not be deceived! Most accept the facts of the cross, but when it comes to the application of the facts (Christ’s blood appropriated through baptism) the battle is on. Read Acts 2. The cross was preached – but so was baptism. Read Acts 8 (the account of the Ethiopian man). Jesus was preached – but so was baptism. To the Corinthians, Paul preached “Christ and him crucified,” but he also taught baptism, (Acts 18:8).

I do not know how to preach Christ, the cross, and the blood of Christ, without preaching baptism, obedience, etc. They go hand in hand. Let us never under-emphasize the cross, but let us never be afraid to preach baptism for the remission of sins. We will be in good company, for the Lord and His apostles did just that (Mk. 16:16; Rom. 6:1-4; 1 Pet. 3:20-21).

Truth Magazine XXIV: 18, p. 298
May 1, 1980