[This article was written by Larry R. DeVore.]
Moses E. Lard wrote in April 1865 at the end of the Civil War these words: “He is a poor observer of men and things who does not see slowly growing up among us a class of men who can no longer be satisfied with the ancient gospel and the ancient order of things. These men must have changes; and silently they are preparing the mind of the brotherhood to receive changes. Do not be deceived, brethren, the Devil is not sleeping. If you refuse to see the danger till ruin is upon you, then it will be too late.” (Quoted in Churches of Christ During the Civil War, page 106, by Dayton Keesee). In the light of happenings today among Churches of Christ, he could have written these words in April 2006.
The Richland Hills Church of Christ, Fort Worth, Texas, said to be the largest congregation in the nation with some 6,400 members, decided on December 3, 2006, to add an “Instrumental Worship Assembly with communion on Saturday nights” (their description). This will begin in February 2007.
Two of the 17 elders resigned just before this was inaugurated. Rick Atchley, senior minister, announced that was an “outreach decision” to reach more unchurched people and not any particular dissatisfaction with their “acapella tradition” of the past. Atchley also said, “I greatly appreciate a cappella praise… But I firmly believe… we must become a both/and church with regard to instrumental music and a cappella praise.”
They said that this decision was the result of three years of study, prayer and fasting. My question is, WHAT WERE THEY STUDYING?! Evidently not the Scriptures with any degree of detail. In Scripture, we find no authority for anything in worship other than SINGING of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs.
Notice the kind of music God has specified in the New Testament.
- “They had sung a hymn…” (Matthew 26:30).
- “They had sung a hymn…” (Mark 14:26).
- “Were singing hymns unto God…” (Acts 16:25).
- “And sing unto thy name…” (Romans 15:9).
- “I will sing with the spirit…” (1 Corinthians 14:15).
- “I will sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15).
- “Singing and making melody in your heart” (Ephesians 5:19).
- “Singing with grace in your heart” (Colossians 3:16).
- “In the midst of the church will I sing praise” (Hebrews 2:12).
- “Is any merry? Let him sing psalms” (James 5:13).
The only verse they quoted in the article was Acts 15:19 from the NIV which reads, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” That passage does not touch top, side, or bottom of the subject under consideration.
History repeats itself in cycle after cycle. We let determine in our generation to seek the simplicity and purity of New Testament worship and teach the next generation as well. “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11).
It is so amazing the catholic church can create a pagan day
of the sun god or sunday and then for centuries the their split off church daughters of the catholic church will make stupid arguments about time they should serve the lord supper the bible day Of the sun god. Christ resurrected on the corrected night of day one of the sabbaton (our modern
Saturday night. Disciples gathered on the night of day one to keep the Christian Passover on the night they were justified or passed over through the resurrection moment -day one of the sabbaton.
Will wade
The proper day to partake of the Lord’s Supper is not based upon anything the Catholic church says, but what the Scripture says. “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7). This example pre-dates the Catholic church. The origins of the names of the days is irrelevant. What is the first day of the week? That is the day when Christians are to assemble to partake of the Lord’s Supper.