Ready! Set! Go!
"They shall mount up with wings like eagles" 
(Isaiah 40:31)

 

Volume 5—Number 10 November/December  2003

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

READY: Instrumental Music

SET: Opposites: God & Satan

GO: New TFTW Staff Member  
 

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A Monthly Publication of the Church of Christ  at Duluth, Georgia 
to equip the saints in reaching 
the lost through example and evangelism. 

Editors 

Skip Andrews 
3239 Highway 120 
Duluth, GA  30096 
770  476-2159 
email: Skip Andrews

Bobby Wood 
1410 Flat Shoals Road 
Conyers, GA 30013 
770 922-8341 
email: Bobby Woods 

Produced under the oversight of the 
elders at Duluth, GA
 
 

Rod Rutherford
Dennis Hatchett
Skip Andrews
 

This paper is sent free to all who request it.

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Look for the two new additions to R!S!G! in our January edition.
As we plan for the sixth year of this paper, we do so with thankfulness for the expanding mailing list.  We now have nearly 1000 individuals and several hundred in bundles to congregations going out with each edition.
The new additions are in the form of two inserts, each the same size as R!S!G!
The first is “Families Matter.” This is four pages of short items, devotional ideas, and puzzles for the entire family.  These inserts will not be dated so they can be used anytime.  We hope to keep them available so they can be ordered by anyone who wants back issues in the future.
The second addition is “A New Commandment.”  This is four pages of articles encouraging members of the church to learn and practice getting along with one another! Without compromise—without pride—without self-will—without—well, you get it, don’t you?  Remember, Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples.”
We welcome items for each of these papers.  When you see the first issues, you will understand the kinds of input that will be helpful. 
Although we are doing well with regard to the financial status of R!S!G!, the upcoming expansion will add to our expenses.  We have already received $500 toward this from Charles and Lori Franks. But we encourage you to send us something, too, if you are able; we would like to  enlarge our mailing list by advertising these works in other publications.  
Remember, the paper is free, whether you get one or a bundle. So, if you need more, please let us know.
 
— Skip
 
 

The exact year mechanical instruments of music was introduced into the worship of the church is unknown nor is it important. What is important is the fact that historians are in agreement that it was not used in the early church. It was introduced into the Roman church sometime in the fourth century AD. However, it threatened division and was removed. It was again introduced around 670 AD.  This time the objections were ignored and overridden. As you will see, some historians say they were introduced in 666 AD by “Pope Vitalian.”
The following historical quotes are given not as authority against the use of mechanical instruments of music; the Bible is the only source of authority in matters of religion (Colossians 3:17; Galatians 1:8,9; Revelation 22:18,19). However, many people do not realize mechanical instruments of music are a relatively  “Johnny come lately” doctrine in protestant churches (having been introduced in the nineteenth century). These historical quotes clearly indicate such.
The “Catholic Encyclopedia” (Volume. 10, page 651) says, “The first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice. Clement of Alexandria severely condemns the use of instruments even at Christian banquets.”
“Fessenden's Encyclopedia” (page 852) says in an article entiled “Music,” “Instrumental music is also of very ancient date, its invention being ascribed to Tubal, the sixth descendant from Cain. That instrumental music was not practiced by the primitive Christians, but was an aide to devotion of later times, is evident from Church history.”
“The American Encyclopedia” (Volume 12, page 688) says, “Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced organs into some of the churches of western Europe, about 670; but the earliest trustworthy account is that of one sent as a present by the Greek emperor Constantine Copronymus to Pepin, king of the Franks, in 755.”
“Schaaf-Herzog Encyclopedia” (Volume 2, page 1702) says, “In the Greek church the organ never came into use. But after the eighth century it became more and more common in the Latin church; not, however, without opposition from the side of the monks.”
John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian church, in his commentary on Psalm 23,  wrote, “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of candles, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The papists therefore have foolishly borrowed this as well as many other things from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostles is far more pleasing to Him. The voice of man assuredly excels all inanimate musical instruments.”
Clarke's Commentary (Volume 4, page 686) quotes John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, as saying, “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels provided they are neither seen nor heard.”
In addition to Wesley’s statement Adam Clarke comments (Clarke’s Commentary, Volume 4, page 686), “Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor.”
Charles H. Spurgeon, one of the most well known and read after Baptist ministers, who preached to ten thousand souls every Sunday in Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, said in reference to 1 Corinthians 14:15, “I would just as soon pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery.”
Finally, Alexander Campbell, whom the Christian churches and Disciples of Christ often claim to be their founder said, “To all spiritually minded Christians instrumental music in worship would be as a cowbell in a concert.”
As I wrote above, these quotes are most certainly not authoritative, but just as assuredly they illustrate the mind set of previous generations and biblical teaching on the topic. It is just this simple, God specified singing. Anything more or anything less is not authorized (Colossians 3:16,17).
 

The Bible reveals the truths that there is a God and there is a devil. God is good and the devil is evil.  What could be more opposite than that?  We who are Christians must never lose sight of these facts, for it is because of these basic starting points that we must live a certain way in the presence of our friends, family, and foes (1 Peter 2:5-12)!
 

The story of God and the devil is presented to us in the first three chapters of the Bible.  The story, in great measure, is a story about the battle over the souls of men, women, boys, and girls.  The story is concluded in the last three chapters of the Bible with the absolute guarantee that God and good will win over the devil and evil.  Let us do all we can to help the lost see God and good in our daily lives.
 

Do you need help with discouragement, fear, lack of faith, family problems, etc.?  This is a series of 12 video lessons using “five smooth stones” to conquer these “Goliaths.”