In This Issue

• SPECIAL RELIGIOUS TITLES AND GARMENTS
• GOD SAID “SING”
• WINDOW BOX WEEDERS
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SPECIAL RELIGIOUS TITLES AND GARMENTS

In Mark 12:38-40, Jesus told His listeners, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the market-places, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

Matthew in chapter 23 of his account of the gospel gives a much longer and more detailed account of this speech. He shows that Jesus rebuked both the scribes and the Pharisees, not only for wearing special religious garb to attract attention to themselves – and the other matters mentioned by Mark – but also for appropriating to themselves special religious titles as well. “They love… to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’: for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven…” See Matt. 23:6-10.

Jesus had spoken similarly even earlier, in His sermon on the mount, cautioning His hearers not to practice acts of religion for the purpose of being seen and praised by men. See Matt. 6:1-18.

Now, back to our text. Certainly Christ’s followers are to adorn themselves in modest apparel, 1 Tim. 2:9. If the world in general begins to wear robes (or dresses) so short as to be immodest, then God’s people will have to dress differently. But they should never dress differently just to call attention to themselves. God had authorized special garments in Old Testament priests, but in this New Testament age, all Christians are priests, 1 Pet. 2:9, and special priestly garments not only are unauthorized, but actually violate the principle taught in Mark 12:38.

The same goes for special religious titles. Paul, Peter and John all referred figuratively to their converts as their “children” but there is no evidence whatsoever that these men used the term “Father” as a spiritual religious title for themselves. They could not have done so without clearly violating the principle Christ taught in Matt. 23:9. And while most Protestants would heartily agree with us on this point, the vast majority of them have nevertheless set their preachers apart by special titles, and in many cases, special religious garments. One never reads in the Scriptures of “Father Peter,” “Reverend James,” or “Doctor Paul.” Though there obviously were different gifts and abilities given to various New Testament Christians, enabling some to be apostles and prophets, some to be evangelists or preachers, some to be pastors (elders) or teachers – none of these words constitute religious titles, and none were used to elevate one faithful Christian above another. Jesus said, “You are all brethren… And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:8-12). Better to humble oneself before men, and let God do the exalting in the day of judgment.

--Clarence R. Johnson

 GOD SAID “SING”

When people visit our assembly and express their curiosity about our vocal music, I reply with this simple expression of our conviction: God said "sing." I make it clear that the absence of the man-made instruments is not a matter of economics (cannot afford one) or preference (we just like to sing). It goes much deeper than any "church of Christ" or "restoration" heritage or tradition. It has to do with faith and our desire to follow God's instructions. We are convinced He said "sing." 

When a man offers a gift to his wife, the considerate thing to do is to offer a gift that will please her. She is the recipient of the gift. I may want a rifle, a new computer or a truck. But if I'm going to give something to her that she will appreciate, I will select something I believe will please her not me. I will take into consideration all I know of her, in particular, what she has said she likes and wants. My gift will be based on her will not mine. 

As God's people, we want to offer worship to Him in response to His greatness and grace to us. In offering that worship, what's important? What I want, or what He wants? You will agree, the most important thing is what God wants. The right course to take is to offer that worship to God that I know will please Him.

How can I find out what pleases Him? I can consult His Word! I don't need to even consider human preferences, denominational practices, historical precedence or majority desire. I do not need to bother myself with a "market study" or poll of human opinion. If I want to know what pleases God I can read what He has said about worship, determined to worship Him in spirit and truth (Jno. 4:24; 2 Jno. 9). 

This quest takes me to the New Testament. I want to know what the apostles of Christ did, since these were the men through whom the will of God was conveyed (1 Cor. 1:1; 1 Cor. 2:10-12). The apostles - in their practice and instruction - endorsed only one kind of music in worship to God, vocal. If any instrument is involved at all it is only in the figurative sense, the heart (Eph. 5:19).

Paul and Silas, "at midnight . . . were praying and singing hymns to God," (Acts 16:25). To the church at Corinth Paul said, "sing with the understanding," (1 Cor. 14:15). He instructed the saints at Ephesus: "speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," (Eph. 5:19). In another place he wrote: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord," (Col. 3:16). Is anyone cheerful? "Let him sing psalms," (Jas. 5:13). {See also: Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26; Rom. 15:9 & Heb. 2:12.} 

This clear and simple evidence demands the kind of admission you will read in the Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (p.1163): "There is no record in the N.T. of the use of instruments in the musical worship of the church." Or in A History Of The Christian Church (p.112): "Singing formed an essential part of the Christian worship, but it was in unison and without musical accompaniment," (Lars P. Qualben). Other early historians and writers agree: "Simply singing is not agreeable to children (Jews), but singing with lifeless instruments and with dancing and clapping is. On this account the use of this kind of instruments and of others agreeable to children is removed from the songs of the churches, and there is left remaining simply singing" (Justin Martyr, 139 ad). Augustine describes the singing at Alexandria in 354 ad by saying "musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults . . . it is easy to understand the prejudices against their use in the worship." 

Strange isn't it? All the years of controversy; all the debates, disputes and division. Then you open your Bible and focus on what God said. There it is: God said "sing." Don't you think this is what He wants us to do?

Why did Noah use gopher wood in building the ark? God said "gopher wood." Why did Abraham leave his homeland and venture into Canaan? God said "go." Why did Joshua instruct the Israelites to march around Jericho? Because God said to do that. Why did the apostles wait in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended into heaven? That's what Jesus told them to do. Why do Christians today partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week? God has communicated His will regarding this memorial in the New Testament.

So, why do we sing? God said "sing." This is serious because, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide
in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and
the Son." (2 Jno. 9). 

–Warren Berkley

WINDOW BOX WEEDERS

“It’s not that I’m afraid to work, lady; but there isn’t much doing in my particular line of work.”

“And what is your particular line?” the housewife asked of the beggar.

“I’m a window box weeder, Ma’am.”

Maybe that is why it is so hard to get volunteers to help with the work of the church. Unless a person has had special training along a certain line, he often has the mistaken notion that he is not qualified to do the work. How often do we hear the words “I can’t” when seeking volunteers for service in the vineyard of the Lord. Many Christians excuse themselves from doing the Lord’s work because they haven’t been trained (and they make no further effort to become trained). “I can’t preach.” “I can’t teach a class or a home Bible study.” “I can’t lead singing or lead in public prayer.” “I can’t visit the sick, the needy, the bereaved, or the wayward child of God.”

Well, what can you do? Weed window boxes?

There is much to be done in the vineyard of the Lord for those who are willing. Being willing is much more important and necessary than being highly qualified. “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37). Christ did not choose professors from colleges to be His disciples. Rather, He called the humble people, the fishermen, and then trained them to do His work. Training brethren is no problem; finding brethren who are willing to “learn a new line of labor” is the big problem.

Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). If it were necessary that the Son of God must work while here on earth, surely we ought to conclude that we must work also. Our Lord said further: “I have meat to eat that you know not… My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work” (John 4:32, 34). Jesus did not do the work of the Father as one who is unwillingly driven to a task, but He did it as if it were the greatest joy of His life. The individual today who is truly converted to the Lord will find his greatest delight in doing the things the Lord wishes done. We will not have to be driven to attend worship; we will not have to be compelled to visit the sick and to care for the needy; but we will find our greatest joy and satisfaction in doing these things – if we are truly like Jesus.

How about learning to be the kind of worker Christ would have you to be? If we make the effort to learn, we will find that the task is far easier than we probably thought. “We are laborers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9) and this fact assures success. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). The individual who never tries is the only one who ever fails. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

The man who would seek heaven empty-handed is not really seeking heaven at all. 

–Robert Harkrider, Lord’s Day Reminder, Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 30, 1972

There is no downhill way to go uphill. --Paul Harvey

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