Truth Magazine

By Ron Halbrook

The Bible is the Word of God. This the Bible claims. Expressions like “the Lord spake unto Moses” appear hundreds of times in Genesis through Deuteronomy. David’s Psalms are famous. David made this claim for his writings, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:2). “The word of the Lord came unto . . . .” “Thus saith the Lord . . . .” Such phrases are used over and over by the Old Testament prophets. The writers of the New Testament also claim divine authority. For instance, Paul said he spoke the things of divine wisdom “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth” (1 Cor. 2:13). ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God” both Old and New Testaments -that is what the Bible claims for itself (2 Tim. 3:16). To make such a claim, the Bible must be either truly God’s Word or else the worst fraud and foulest hoax ever perpetrated. There is no middle ground!

Bible prophecy proves the inspiration of Scripture. Of many examples, Isaiah 53 is perhaps best. About 700 years before Jesus Christ came, Isaiah gave a detailed description of his appearance, character, life, death, burial, and resurrection. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all . . . he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Men cannot see such future events as Isaiah saw without God’s help.

Men unaided by God could not have written the Bible-66 separate books written by some 40 different writers generally not knowing each other or living in the same towns. Yet there is perfect unity, harmony, and consistency-one Deity, one story of love, one Savior. Our universe reflects a variety (different planets, creatures, laws, etc.) and harmony-the planets, creatures, laws, etc. are inter-related and work together for the good of each other; this is possible only under the supervising hand of God. Even so, the Bible reflects a variety natural to the personality, times, purpose, and location of the human authors; the harmony of the Bible is possible in these circumstances only under God’s direction.

Supporting evidences for the inspiration of the Bible include historical and archaeological evidences. In other words, although the Bible is primarily a religious book and not a history text, still the Bible contradicts no proven historical fact. It is consistent with all proven historical facts. Archaeologists dig up the remains of ancient peoples. Not only is the Bible consistent with all proven archaeological data, it has even been used as a guide to many archaeological sites! If the claim of the Bible to inspiration is true, we would expect just such accuracy in the text.

If man be considered the ultimate producer of the Bible, an inadequate cause is accepted. God is the only possible Adequate Cause for these and other features of the Bible. “To forge the Bible is impossible as to forge a world.” Some people object to the idea of God speaking to man in His Word, but there is the evidence. Others object saying the Bible has been used abusively, barbarously, even insanely, so it could not be God’s book. But science has been misused monstrously, and we do not discard science; we try harder to use it properly. That’s what we should do with God’s Word. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 810-811
November 6, 1975

By Luther Blackmon

These are some terms that are often used, but I fear little understood even by members of the church. Let us take them in reverse order and examine each one.

Anti-scriptural: means “against” or “opposite” the scripture. When one commits murder or adultery, for example, he is acting in violation of a direct prohibition of the scriptures. Such things are anti-scriptural. Some people seem to think that this is the only way the scriptures forbid anything. But let us look to the next word, “unscriptural.”

Unscriptural: means “lacking scriptural authority;” not a thing specifically forbidden by the scriptures. This would be anti-scriptural But a thing not authorized in the scriptures, either by direct statement; approved example, or necessary inference, is unscriptural. Instrumental music in worship falls into this category. W e are often asked why we do not use instrumental music in worship. When we answer that it is not authorized by the New Testament scriptures, we are saying that it is unscriptural. To this answer we usually hear the objection, “Well, the Bible doesn’t say not to have it.” Those who offer this objection labor under the impression that for a thing to be wrong it must be anti-scriptural. Not so. The sons of Aaron “offered strange fire before the Lord” and were killed by a fire that “went out from the Lord and devoured them” (Lev. 10:1,2). God had not forbidden them to offer this particular fire. He had told them what fire to offer and that made the use of any other fire wrong. It might be well for us to meditate upon some of these Old Testament cases and see what God did to those who impiously acted without His authority in such matters. A lot of otherwise good people think nothing of presuming to add to what God has authorized in the worship and organization of the church. These same people would feel horrified at the thought of committing murder or adultery. Well, let me tell you something, neighbor. If you will read your Old Testament, you will find that God has always been more tolerant of such things as adultery and murder than He has of those who presumed to add to His arrangements. If you think this isn’t so, look at David. He committed adultery with Uriah’s wife and then had him killed, but God forgave him. Then look at the sons of Aaron, look at Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16). Look at Uzzah (2 Kings 6). They were careless and presumptuous with the things of God, and they died for it. How do you come to the conclusion that it is wrong to kill or commit adultery, but a small thing to add to the word of the Lord? Of course, murder and adultery are wrong, but I would just as soon take my chances of going to heaven guilty of these as to try to get there while disregarding the authority of the scriptures in some matter pertaining to the name, worship, doctrine, organization or function of the church.

Scriptural: means authorized by the scriptures, or having scriptural support; not merely mentioned in the scriptures. Many things are mentioned in the scriptures that could not be called scriptural. As stated above, a thing is scriptural when it is authorized by command, approved example, or necessary inference.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 809-810
November 6, 1975

By Bob Felkner

A good citizen will obey the laws of the nation in which he lives (Rom. 13:1-7). Not only should he obey those laws, but he should also encourage legal action against criminals. We usually insist on the prosecution of murderers, rapists, thieves, and dope peddlers, but what about smut peddlers? Why do we allow them to promote perversion in our cities? I am often amazed at our apathy! So many people are sitting around and spewing forth pessimistic statements like, “We can’t do anything about it.” Others complain about the pornography problem, but too often they direct their complaints to the wrong people. We need to express ourselves publically against pornography. This will also provide us with an opportunity to reveal what the Bible teaches about sex, morality, and family life.

For those who are interested in the fight against filth, I have prepared a few suggestions:

1. In order to combat the pornography problem, citizens must coordinate their efforts.

2. Contact leading citizens and ask them to speak out against pornography.

3. Every citizen should be made aware of the severity of this problem. It is far worse than immodesty or nudity. Pornography includes torture, rape, and sickening perversions (Lev. 18:22-23; 2 Cor. 2:11).

4. Study federal, state, and local obscenity laws. John Drakeford’s book, Pornography, the Sexual Mirage is very frank and informative. In order to stay informed, you may want to get on the mailing lists of the following organizations: Citizens for Decency through Law, 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90036 and Morality in Media, 487 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022. I am not suggesting membership in these organizations, but the information they publish is very helpful.

5. Speak to store owners and managers about the materials they are selling. Also speak to the owners of movie theaters.

6. Circulate petitions against X-rated movies and pornographic magazines. Make copies . of the signed petitions and present them to public officials. (A petition is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as: “a solemn, earnest request; entreaty” or “a formal document embodying such a request.”)

7. Meet with city and county officials and urge them to enforce existing obscenity laws. Complain until you get results (Lk. 11:8). Be kind but firm, and speak to the sheriff, city attorney, district attorney, mayor, and oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11); while John cautioned, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ hath not God, but he that abideth in the teaching the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9); and Paul instructed, “and whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17). From these passages we learn that whatever a man does in religion that is done without the name (or authority) of the Lord Jesus, and whoever transgresses by going onward and not abiding in the teaching of Christ and so does not speak as the oracles of God brings the displeasure of heaven upon himself. There is no escaping this conclusion. And, a choir is without the necessary authority and so displeases God. “The Bible doesn’t say you can’t have one” is not sufficient authority. In fact, the very fact that such an argument as this is used in its defense is almost enough to cause lovers of God to exclude it.

2. A church should not have a choir because it amounts to a harking back to the Law of Moses. The Bible tells us that in the Old Testament worship a special class called “singers” was appointed the task of performing in this capacity in the temple worship (1 Chron. 15:19). At times they seem to have sung with the congregation (2 Chron. 23:13), while at other times “in the congregation” but not “with the congregation” (Ps. 68:25, 26). They performed with instruments of music accompanying them (2 Chron. 23:13). And this was also a part of a system involving dancing in the worship (Ps. 150:4) as well as animal sacrifice and a multitude of other outdated and now unscriptural modes.

Brethren have always realized the distinction in the right division of the Word between that which is a part of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The only time that the difference begins to get fuzzy is when there is a pet practice that is not authorized in the New but was practiced in the Old. And in the case of the choir that is what we have. The Hebrew writer marked clearly the difference: .”But now hath he (Christ) obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6), and “He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second (Heb. 10:9). Paul said, “having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross” (Col. 2:14). Choirs are found in a law which has been “taken out of the way” and “nailed to the cross.” They have no business in the church of God.

3. A church should not have a choir because it seeks, to please the human ear rather than the Divine Will. The first argument usually heard in defense of the introduction of a choir into the church is based upon human satisfaction therewith: “It just sounds better than congregational singing.” This argument has been used all along by those intent upon justifying the use of mechanical instrumental music in the worship. The question we should ask at this point is, “To whom does it sound better?” Whom are we trying to please when we worship, ourselves or God? Perhaps it does sound better to certain human ears, but that is not a good enough reason for adopting it. In effect we are worshipping ourselves if we are the ones we are attempting to satisfy by our worship. After all, worship is “showing reverence for a deity” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, p. 627), and if our reverence is for our own wishes rather than His, -how can we think that He is pleased by such self-centered service?

4. A church should not have a choir because it makes worship a spectator sport instead of an act of communion of the saints with God. When Paul wrote to the Colossian congregation, he said, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns arid spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God” (Col. 3:16). To the Ephesians he wrote, “Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). Christians in their singing are told to “teach and admonish one another” and to “speak one to another.” A select group from the congregation is riot given the task of teaching and admonishing the remainder of the church. Everyone is to participate. This is congregational singing. In this situation everyone makes melody with his heart and all possess grace in their hearts to God. They are not special qualities possessed of an elite segment of the church. Neither is the singing a thing .to be watched and listened to by a majority while a small minority of the church “performs.” The New Testament nowhere teaches that singing should be a spectator sport. Neither soloists nor choirs have any place in a church that is trying to please God. Their intent is for the enjoyment of those present rather than God-the satisfaction of the human ear instead of the divine will. “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make a confession to his name” (Heb. 13:15).

5. A church should not have a choir because it is of denominationalism. It is a well known fact that denominational churches have long made use of choirs in their worship services. This is not strange, though, for it is obvious that denominationalism does not usually concern itself with the limitations enjoined by scripture. Choirs originated in the 4th century A D. during the period of apostacy from New Testament simplicity and order. By the time of Gregory the Great (died 604 A. D.), a Schola Cantorum or “School of Singing” was established for training choristers. The practice was continued by the Catholics down through the centuries and taken over by many Protestant groups. In Catholicism a choir still sings certain parts of the Mass, Vespers, etc., either independently or antiphonally with the congregation. (Cf. F. L. Cross, ed., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, p. 273; L. A. Loetscher, Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. I, p. 238; and Donald Attwater, ed., A Catholic Dictionary, pp. 92-93).

But wherever and whenever, churches have forsaken Catholicism and denominationalism and their doctrines and practices they have left choirs behind. And whenever once-faithful churches have left the truth and begun to sink ever more deeply into denominationalism they have introduced choirs into their worship. The same has generally occurred with the mechanical instrument of music. Both are characteristics of mancentered worship, rather than God-centered, Biblecentered worship. And the fact that some churches of Christ across the land are starting to desire them is simple evidence of this transition. Members of the church of long standing are usually staggered by the very thought of their introduction. It is another sign to them and to faithful people of God everywhere that the church is losing its identity, its distinctiveness. Once the cry “Come ye out from among them and be ye separate” f2 Cor. 6:17) was heard from pulpits far and wide, but now that plaintive call is all but silent in most.

6. A church should not have a choir because it is divisive. Where there are still people who ask for “Book, Chapter, and Verse” there will be a fight whenever a questionable activity is engaged in or an unscriptural practice is introduced. They realize that it is their responsibility to fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7), and prove all things, holding fast what is good (1 Thess. 5:21). They cannot compromise with error by fellowshipping it and allowing it to go unreproved (Eph. 5:11). Thus division will many times occur when choirs are introduced, and the fault of the division will usually be placed upon those who oppose them even though the promoters are actually responsible. Some will therefore be manifestly shown approved of God by such (1 Cor. 11:19) while others will be damned for the aforementioned sins as well as dividing the body of Christ (Gal. 5:19-21).

Choirs have no place in churches of Christ. Perhaps there are other reasons why they do not, but these should surely suffice to prove this point.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 807-809
November 6, 1975

By George Welsh Tyler

At Denver, Colorado on May 21, 1962, the 174th general assembly of the United Presbyterian Church approved a record mission budget of $30,354,672 for the next year. More than 2500 packed the city auditorium for the Sunday night city-wide service. Dr. D. T. Niles, a Methodist minister from Ceylon, in delivering the chief address said, “The separate church denominations cannot do what needs to be done in the world.” “The gates of hell can prevail against the Presbyterians, or the Methodists, or the Congregationalists, other denominations.” He also said, “The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church of Jesus Christ . . . .” “Don’t clutter up your lives with all these things. God will tell you what to do – go out and do it! These other things will only sap you energy.”

Sometimes by pure accident, slip of the tongue, more comes out in these church assemblies, councils and conferences than was intended. One thing is certain Dr. Niles gave these Presbyterians, the Methodists and other denominations represented there that night something to think about for a long time. That which he said cannot be controverted. If these separate denominations could do what needs to be done in the world, then Christ Jesus would have built them and set them over the task! But He did not build them! Instead, He built His own church and gave it the commission to evangelize the world!. This left out every other “church” the world was ever to hear about!

When Christ promised that the gates of hell (hades) would not prevail against His church, that promise did not include any other religious bodies or groups! He said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). Instead, Christ prayed long and fervently for the unity of His disciples. He said, “Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me” (Jno. 17:20,21). A close study of this prayer reveals that God’s Son prayed fervently against every denomination in existence today or that may yet come. The reason Jesus gave for making that request is, “That the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” The only valid reason that can be assigned for the open infidelity, atheism, and skepticism prevalant in the world is a divided Christendom. Jesus is the authority for this statement. I believe Him. Do you?

Christ built His church and gave to it the great task of evangelizing the whole world. Paul writing to Timothy called it, “The house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Through this church, Paul says, “Might be known the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:10,11). Christ said, “Aft authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). This being true, no one had or has any authority to start another church! Therefore any other church than the one which was started by Christ would be a counterfeit institution and could not do what God ordained His divine institution to perform. The church of Christ is adequate for every need, and there is just is no place in God’s provisions for any other. Second, third, fourth and all others are spurious and cannot offer salvation from sin to any one. The denominations lead thousands right up to the gates of salvation but refuse to tell them what is necessary for them to do before the gates will be opened for their entrance into Christ and His church where salvation is obtained.

The efforts put into any denominational church is labor and energy spent for nought! When Jesus said, “Go work today in my vineyard” (Matt. 21:28, AV), He excluded all denominational organizations of every class and description -all were ruled out. David wrote, “Except Jehovah build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Psa. 127:1). The reward of salvation is only offered in Christ. Paul wrote, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father; knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance” (1 Thess. 1:3-5).

We plead with you with all the power we can muster to leave the human institutions, the man-made “churches” and the traditions of men. Seek safety and a field of labor in Christ Jesus our Lord by very humbly accepting His gospel plan of salvation, and Christ will be made preeminent and God will be glorified.

Truth Magazine XIX: 51, pp. 805-806
November 6, 1975