Transcript There Have Always Been Questions, Issues, & Problems Among Brethren • Is circumcision essential to salvation (Acts 15)? • From among “yourselves” –

There Have Always Been Questions, Issues, &
Problems Among Brethren
• Is circumcision essential to salvation (Acts 15)?
• From among “yourselves” – perverse things (Acts 20:30)
• Doctrine of no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12)
• Colossian Heresy (Col. 2)
• Some will depart giving heed to error (1 Tim. 4:1-3)
• Doctrine that 2nd Coming is imminent (1 Thess)
• Judaism (Hebrews, etc.)
During The Restoration Movement
• Pointing men back to the Bible: “Where the Bible speaks,
we speak; where it is silent, we are silent.”
• Called for men to lay aside opinions and unite upon the
Scriptures
• Soon two major mindsets developed:
1. Church can do only what is positively authorized
2. Church can do anything not specifically forbidden
•
Division was inevitable!
Churches of Christ Divided
In mid 1800s
 Issues:
 Missionary Society (1849)
 Instrumental Music (1859)
 Result:
 Formation of Christian Church (1900)
 Later: Disciples of Christ (liberal)
Churches of Christ Divided
In mid 1900s
 Issues:
 Sponsoring Church (Hearld of Truth)
 Orphan Homes
 Colleges in Church Budget
 Social Gospel (Recreation)
 Result:
 Split among churches 1955-1965
 Institutional churches of Christ
Divisions Within
The Church of Christ
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Missionary Society (1849)
Instrumental Music (1859)
Colleges in Church Budget (1938)
Orphan Homes (1950’s)
Sponsoring Church (1950’s)
Social Gospel (1960’s)
Divisions
Within
The Church of Christ
Instrumental Music
Instrumental Music
I. History Behind It
I. History Behind It
A. Discussions about its use - early as 1849
1. Articles in Christian Record – Favored use
2. Articles in Ecclesiastical Reformer – Favored use
I. History Behind It
A. Discussions about its use - early as 1849
B. Campbell dismissed them as being for those
who are not spiritually minded (1851)
Campbell Dismisses Plea for
Instruments
“[Instrumental music in worship] was well adapted to
churches founded on the Jewish pattern of things and
practicing infant sprinkling. That all persons singing who
have no spiritual discernment, taste or relish for spiritual
meditation, consolations and sympathies of renewed hearts
should call for such an aid is but natural. So to those who
have no real devotion and spirituality in them, and whose
animal nature flags under the opposition or the oppression
of church service I think that instrumental music would... be
an essential prerequisite to fire up their souls to even animal
devotion. But I presume, that to all spiritually-minded
Christians, such aid would be as a cow bell in a concert”
(Millennial Harbinger, Vol. I, No. 10; Robert Richardson,
Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, 2:366).
I. History Behind It
A. Discussions about its use - early as 1849
B. Campbell dismissed them as being for those
who are not spiritually minded (1851)
C. Push for it in the church Millersburg, KY (1851)
• Diary Entry (April 27, 1851): “Brother S
(aunders) wishes to introduce the
melodon into the church.”
• Raines bitterly opposed it
• Not used at Millersburg
Aylette Raines
I. History Behind It
A. Discussions about its use - early as 1849
B. Campbell dismissed them as being for those
who are not spiritually minded (1851)
C. Push for it in the church Millersburg, KY (1851)
D. Sixth St. Church (Cincinnati) using it by 1855
(Everett Ferguson, Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell
Movement, p. 414)
I. History Behind It
A. Discussions about its use - early as 1849
B. Campbell dismissed them as being for those
who are not spiritually minded (1851)
C. Push for it in the church Millersburg, KY (1851)
D. Sixth St. Church (Cincinnati) using it by 1855
E. Introduced at Midway, KY 1859
Instrument At Midway, KY 1859
L. L. Pinkerton
Gradual Steps Toward Apostasy
1. Change in attitude
2. Talk about new
ideas - long before
suggested.
3. Slowly introduce
questionable practices
4. Full innovation
1859
Midway, KY
Instrument Introduced Slowly
“At first it was suggested that a meeting be held
on Saturday night to practice the songs.
Shortly afterwards, some brought in a
melodeon to be used in getting the right pitch.
Before long, one of the sisters was
accompanying the singing with her playing on
the melodeon . . . The group observed that the
effect of the use of the melodeon was good on
the singing, and so it was decided to try to use
the instrument on the Lord’s Day Worship”
(Search For The Ancient Order, pp. 311-312).
• Adam Hibler (one of the
elders) removed the
melodeon & chopped it to
pieces on front lawn
• New one placed in bld.
• Hibler removed the second –
stored it in the barn.
• A 3rd melodeon purchased
• Building & melodeon burned
• Second melodeon was found
in Hibler’s barn
Midway Christian Church
I. History Behind It
A. Discussions about its use - early as 1849
B. Campbell dismissed them as being for those
who are not spiritually minded (1851)
C. Push for it in the church Millersburg, KY (1851)
D. Sixth St. Church (Cincinnati) using it by 1855
E. Introduced at Midway, KY 1859
F. Reaction to the instrument being used
• Discussions / Debates
 J.W. McGarvey & A.S. Hayden in Millennial Harbinger
(1864-1865)
J. W. McGarvey on the Instrument
“We cannot, therefore, by any possibility, know that a
certain element of worship is acceptable to God in the
Christian dispensation, when the Scriptures which speak of
that dispensation are silent in reference to it. To introduce
any such element is unscriptural and presumptuous. It is will
worship, if any such thing as will worship can exist. On this
ground we condemn the burning of incense, the lighting of
candles, the wearing of priestly robes, and the reading of
printed prayers. On the same ground we condemn
instrumental music” (The Millennial Harbinger, 1864, 511513).
• Discussions / Debates
 J.W. McGarvey & A.S. Hayden in Millennial Harbinger
(1864-1865)
 Gospel Advocate (David Lipscomb) opposed
 1908 – W.W. Otey & J.B. Briney (Louisville)
• Middle of road view – for unity
 Christian Standard (Isaac Errett)
 McGarvey – taught against it – but fellowshipped
those who used it.
• Division – formed Christian Church
• 1911 – M.C. Kurfees – Book on Psallo
Instrumental Music
I. History Behind It
II. Why Instrumental Music Is Unscriptural
II. Why Instrumental Music Is Unscriptural
A. It is not Authorized in Scripture
How Authority Is Established
Acts 15
Command / Statement
Approved Example
Necessary Inference
VV. 13-21 – James appealed to
direct statement from Amos 9
V. 12 – Paul & Barnabas
appealed to example of their work
& miracles
VV. 7-11 – Peter appealed to
events at Cornelius’ house –
infers…
Authority
Illustrated with Lord’s Supper
Command / Statement
Observance
(1 Cor. 11:23-24)
Approved Example
Time of Observance
(Acts 20:7)
Necessary Inference
Frequency of Observance
(Acts 20:7)
Instrumental Music
Command / Statement
Approved Example
Necessary Inference
II. Why Instrumental Music Is Unscriptural
A. It is not Authorized in Scripture
B. God Specified Singing
Singing Is All That God Has Authorized
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Matt. 26:30 – “Sung”
Mark 14:26 – “Sung”
Acts 16:25 – “Sang”
Rom. 15:9 – “Sing”
1 Cor. 14:15 – “Sing”
Eph. 5:19 – “Singing”
Col. 3:16 – “Singing”
Heb. 2:12 - “Sing”
Heb. 13:15 – “Fruit of our lips”
Jas. 5:13 – “Sing”
Generic & Specific Authority
Command
Generic
Specific
Build ark - Gen. 6:14
Wood
Gopher
Wash 7 Times - 2 Kings 5
River
Jordan
Offer – Lev. 14:12-13
Animal
Lamb
Praise – Eph. 5:19
Music
Sing
Buy me a canned drink
Cola
Pepsi
II. Why Instrumental Music Is Unscriptural
A. It is not Authorized in Scripture
B. God Specified Singing
C.
Instrumental Music is an Addition
Must Not Add To Or Take From
The Word of God
Deut. 4:2
Num. 22:18
Prov. 30:5-7
Rev. 22:18-19
Aids Are Authorized,
Additions Are Not
An Addition Involves Another Element Being Added!
Command
Aid
Addition
Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11
Table, plates …
Jam, beef, cola
Baptize – Matt. 28:19
Baptistry, heater
Sprinkling
Build an ark – Gen. 6:14
Tool, Animal
Oak, Cedar
Sing – Eph. 5:19
Books, Tuner
Instrumental
Music
Contribute – 1 Cor. 16
Basket, Account
Mon. / Sat.
Instrumental Music
I. History Behind It
II. Why Instrumental Music Is Unscriptural
III. Arguments Made To Justify It
III. Arguments Made To Justify It
A. “Merely an aid”
Aids Are Authorized,
Additions Are Not
An Addition Involves Another Element Being Added!
Command
Aid
Addition
Eat Bread – 1 Cor. 11
Table, plates …
Jam, beef, cola
Baptize – Matt. 28:19
Baptistry, heater
Sprinkling
Build an ark – Gen. 6:14
Tool, Animal
Oak, Cedar
Sing – Eph. 5:19
Books, Tuner
Instrumental
Music
Contribute – 1 Cor. 16
Basket, Account
Mon. / Sat.
“I like it”
“Just an aid”
“It helps the singing / Lord’s Supper”
III. Arguments Made To Justify It
A. “Merely an aid”
B.
God did not say not to”
God’s Silence Is Not Authority
Two Mindsets
Permissive
Prohibitive
At liberty to do what
is not
condemned
Forbidden to act
Without authority
Heb. 7:14
For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of
which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood
Silence is
Prohibitive
Heb. 7:14
God Did Not Say:
Moses spake NOTHING Not to have jam in LS
about tribe of JUDAH
Not to use oak wood
God Did Not Say Not To:
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Ice Cream with the Lord’s Supper
Handle snakes as an act of worship
Church sponsored sports
Offer a bull or lamb as sacrifice
Count beads as an act of worship
Mechanical Instrum. of music in worship
Church to be in secular business
“God did not say not to”
III. Arguments Made To Justify It
A. “Merely an aid”
B.
God did not say not to”
C. “Inherent in the word ‘Psallo’”
“Psallo” Argument
Psallo (Verb)
Psalmos (Noun)
“sing” (Rom. 15:9)
“Psalms” (Lk. 20:42)
“sing” (1 Cor. 14:15)
“Psalms” (Lk. 24:44)
“make melody” (Eph. 5:19)
“Psalms” (Acts 1:20)
“sing psalms” (Jas. 5:13)
“Psalms” (Acts 13:33)
“Psalms” (1 Cor. 14:26)
“Psalms” (Eph. 5:19)
“Psalms” (Col. 3:16)
“Psallo” Argument
Argument:
1. The word means to “pluck” or “twang”
2. Lexicons says it is used of playing a stringed instrument
3. Thus, instrumental music inheres in the word “Psallo”
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
a. Literally: “a. to pluck off, pull out. b. to cause to
vibrate by touching, to twang” (Thayer)
• Vine: “To twitch, twang”
• Strong: “probably strengthened from psao (to rub or touch
the surface; compare NT:5597); to twitch or twang…”
• Liddell & Scott: “to touch sharply, to pluck, pull, twitch, to
pluck…”
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
a. Literally: “a. to pluck off, pull out. b. to cause to
vibrate by touching, to twang” (Thayer)
b. Used of:
- Pluck hair, bowstring, carpenters red line (L&S)
- Strings of an instrument (L&S, Thayer)
- Sing – touch the cords of the heart (Thayer)
Admission:
At some point in history the term used:
to play a musical instrument
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
a. Literally: “a. to pluck off, pull out. b. to cause to
vibrate by touching, to twang” (Thayer)
b. Used of:
- Pluck hair, bowstring, carpenters red line (L&S)
- Strings of an instrument (L&S, Thayer)
- Sing – touch the cords of the heart (Thayer)
c. The object of the verb does not inhere in the verb
Object of the Verb
The Verb Means:
“Pluck, Twitch, or
Twang”
Does not tell what is
to be plucked
The what is
determined by
context
If Instrumental
music inheres:
why not
“hair”?
why not
“bowstring”?
why not
“carpenter’s line”?
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
a. Literally: “a. to pluck off, pull out. b. to cause to
vibrate by touching, to twang” (Thayer)
b. Used of:
- Pluck hair, bowstring, carpenters red line (L&S)
- Strings of an instrument (L&S, Thayer)
- Sing – touch the cords of the heart (Thayer)
c. The object of the verb does not inhere in the verb
d. In the New Testament – means to sing
Psallo In The New Testament
W. E. Vine- primarily "to twitch, twang," then, "to play a
stringed instrument with the fingers," and hence, in the
Sept., "to sing with a harp, sing psalms," denotes, in the NT,
"to sing a hymn, sing praise"; in Eph 5:19, "making melody"
(for the preceding word ado, see SING). Elsewhere it is
rendered "sing," Rom 15:9; 1 Cor 14:15; in James 5:13, RV,
"let him sing praise" (KJV, "let him sing psalms").
Thayer- …in the New Testament to sing a hymn, to
celebrate the praises of God in song, Jas. 5:13; in honor of
God, Eph. 5:19; Rom. 15:9;…
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
2. Missing evidence
a. No lexicon says – instrument inheres in Psallo
b. No translation says – play an instrument
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
2. Missing evidence
3. Instrument: The heart
Eph 5:19
“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart
to the Lord”
“Psallo” Argument
Answer:
1. The meaning of the word
2. Missing evidence
3. Instrument: The heart
4. If instrument inheres in Psallo:
a. Must be used – not merely an “aid”
b. Required of all who worship – not just one player
c. Must use a harp or stringed instrument
Instrumental Music
I. History Behind It
II. Why Instrumental Music Is Unscriptural
III. Arguments Made To Justify It