In This Issue

 

• “HOW DOES THIS MAN KNOW LETTERS?”

• HELP! I CAN’T SING!

• WHY CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, BUT NOT ABORTION?

• THE FIRST POPE

• MORE INFORMATION...

“HOW DOES THIS MAN KNOW LETTERS?”

Jesus had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, but He had gone quietly, without fanfare. “Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, ‘Where is He?’ And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, ‘He is good’; others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.’ However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this Man know letters, having never studied?’ Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him’” (John 7:11-18).

We will remind our readers that the apostle John, writing near the end of the first century uses the word “Jews” to identify the Jewish religious leaders. He refers to the Jewish populace as simply “the people.” The Jewish authorities were seeking Him and asking, “Where is He?” The common people were discussing Him in hushed tones. Some knew Him to be “a good man.” Others said, “No, …He deceives.” Both His friends and His doubters were reluctant to speak openly and boldly, whatever their opinions of Him.

Then, about the middle of the seven-day feast, Jesus went to the temple and taught those who were gathered there. The Jewish leaders were astonished that Jesus “knew letters.” How could He read and write? How could He speak intelligently? “He hasn’t been to our schools.” “He hasn’t sat at the feet of our distinguished Rabbis.”

No. The teaching of Jesus was not the result of the Rabbinic seminaries, nor was it the ramblings of a Nazarene carpenter. “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.”

Then Jesus declares: “If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” Through the Providence of God, those who seek will find, to those who knock, it shall be opened, Matt. 7:7. When Jesus spoke in parables, those who wanted to understand His teachings usually found it easy to do so. When they didn’t find it easy, they asked Him to explain. See Matt. 15:15 and similar passages. Those who were prejudiced against this Nazarene carpenter who had not attended “our schools” and not learned from “our instructors,” dismissed Jesus as a story-teller not worth listening to. If they didn’t understand, they also didn’t care. Thus those who wanted to know came to understand. Others turned off and turned away and remained in darkness. And so it is today.

--Clarence R. Johnson

HELP! I CAN’T SING!

What comes to mind when you think of singing? We have all probably known or observed someone who does not do a very good job of actively joining in the song service during worship. A majority of the time, the phrase, “Help! I can’t sing” really translates into “I sing out of tune,” or “I cannot read music.” While these might be valid reasons in our secular world for not singing, they do not excuse our responsibility to sing in worship. In the same way, we might not be very good offering prayer, but does that mean we stop praying? If this becomes our collective approach, then the singing, or worship for that matter, is unacceptable. God deserves our best. We must not lose focus and allow selfishness and pride to supersede our purpose for singing. Let’s consider a few things regarding our purpose and duty to sing, as well as ways to improve our singing to the Lord.

Above all, the most important reason we sing is to offer God our expressions of praise, thanksgiving, hope and dependence. David displays such great determination to sing and praise God in Psalm 146:2, “While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” While in prison, Paul and Silas convey their dependence on God through praying and singing hymns to Him, while prisoners were listening, Acts 16:25. We should regard our singing as speaking directly to God, and the words, therefore, should be spoken in sincerity and awe. Together in song, we pour our hearts out to the Lord. Then our voices, united in praise, are sweet and beautiful to Him.

Another purpose for singing is to edify one another, and thereby promote purity of heart. Several of the songs we sing were written to help us in this regard. In the context of Eph. 5:19, it is the will of the Lord that we “be filled with the Spirit by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to Him.” In so doing we strengthen and encourage each other to walk wisely. Having been enriched by the word of Christ, we are able to teach and admonish each other in song, and express thanksgiving in our hearts to the Lord, Col. 3:16. What an invaluable blessing and opportunity Christians of all ages have to be able to teach, admonish, encourage and edify each other by singing together.

In terms of improving our singing in worship, whether we sing “in tune” or “read music” is not of utmost importance. What is more important to God is singing from our hearts. Again, David serves as a wonderful example saying, “I will praise You with my whole heart… I will sing praises to You” (Psa. 138:1). The Lord knows our hearts, 1 Sam. 16:7, and understands that our musical abilities differ. Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on how our singing sounds. While we certainly do not want to discount the quality of our singing, it must be remembered that everyone can sing in a way which pleases God. When we sing with understanding, 1 Cor. 14:15, and emotion, God appreciates our efforts. Focusing on pleasing God will go a long way toward improving our singing.

With this purpose in mind, we can work toward enhancing our singing by sitting close together or bedside somebody who knows mucis and can sing well. Another suggestion is to hold the songbook in such a position that allows for an easier view of the song and the song leader. As a result, we’ll be able to follow the song leader’s direction and not get ahead of or behind the tempo which has been established. Furthermore, we should take advantage of every opportunity to learn more about the mechanics of music. Listening to CD’s of hymns and attending singings serves as great methods by which we can do so. Singing is like most other activities. The more we put into it, the more we get out of it.

In conclusion, much of the “Help! I can’t sing” business stems from too much emphasis on the music or sound alone. Instead, our purpose should be that of singing and praising God from the heart. By doing so, we also teach and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to live according to His will. Singing in worship is not about talent or musical ability; it’s about trying to please God. The desire to please God comes from within the heart. With this as our purpose, we can be content, knowing that we offered God our best effort to praise and adore Him as we worship in song.

--Ed Whittlesey, Abundant Life, June/July, 2005

WHY CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, BUT NOT ABORTION?

Many feel that those who are anti-abortion and pro-capital punishment are grossly inconsistent. But is that true? An explanation is found in the matters of guilt or innocence and the "sword" of the government.

First let us consider the matter of guilt or innocence. Does it make a difference whether a person is innocent or guilty, as to the justification of being put to death? The thief on the cross thought so (Luke 23:39-41). One of the seven things that are an abomination to God is the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17). On the other hand, there is a use of the sword in execution that is not vain. As the thief indicated, they were getting what they deserved because of their crime. Even the apostle Paul said, that death for a proven crime was acceptable in Acts 25:11. Romans 13:3-4 teaches that the civil government is executing wrath with a sword on evildoers as a minister of God. In other words, it is God's ordained place for them to punish, even capitally, the wrong-doer with a "sword" of vengeance. So, the slaughter of the innocents (abortion) is a thing God abhors, while the putting to death of criminals by the civil government, is not only permitted, it is one of their God-given purposes for existing.

Capital punishment is not forbidden by God in the commandment not to kill. It is similar to the issue of corporal punishment of children. Some see the spanking of a child as abusive and a violation of the instruction of God against striking another person. But, not so ! The same Bible that says one, says the other and there is no contradiction. And so it is with capital punishment...the Bible law against killing another is the condemnation of either, 1) putting to death the innocent, or 2) taking the law into your own hands and slaying even a guilty person. Both of these are killing, but the civil power’s use of execution as a means of punishing a crime, is not murder.

--Whit Sasser, Exhortations and Stuff

THE FIRST POPE

Although Catholicism had developed to a great extent, it was 606 A.D. before one claimed the title of “Universal Bishop,” or “Pope.” Boniface III accepted that title. “Pope” is from a Latin word which means “papa.”

Catholics teach that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. This teaching is based upon “tradition” and there is not one whit of evidence from God’s word that this was true. To the contrary, biblical evidence stands against Peter as a Pope. Peter had a wife, Matt. 8:14. Paul “withstood” Peter to his face, “because he was to be blamed” (Gal. 2:11). Cornelius “fell down” at Peter’s feet and worshipped him. “But Peter took him up, saying Stand up, I myself am also a man” (Acts 10:25-26). If Peter had been a Pope, he would have gladly had Cornelius to fall down before him, and kiss his ring, his slipper, toe, or whatever. There is much other evidence in God’s word that Peter never was a Pope.

–Walter W. Pigg, Banner of Truth, March 2005

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