Author: imikemedia

THE TESTIMONY OF scholarship and religious leaders:

“All ancient Christian music was vocal.”  Dr. Curt Sachs, Columbia University

“Both the Jews in their temple service and the Greeks in their idol worship were accustomed to sing with the accompaniment of instrumental music.  The converts to Christianity must have been familiar with this mode of singing, but it is generally admitted that the primitive Christians employed no instrumental music in their religious worship.  …Musical accompaniments were gradually introduced: but one can hardly be assigned to a period earlier than the fifth and sixth centuries.  Organs were unknown in the church until the eighth or ninth century.  Previous to this they had their place in the theater rather than in the church.  Lyman Coleman Presbyterian scholar

“Music in the church is as ancient as the apostles; but instrumental music is not.”  Joseph Bingham, Church of England scholar

“That instrumental music was not practiced by primitive Christians…is evident from church history…”  The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge

“Respected scholars simply say that in the early church no instruments were used.  They came in the seventh, eighth and ninth centuries, too late to be authorized by the inspiration in the Scriptures.”  The Shaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge

“Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law.”  John Calvin, Originator of Presbyterianism

“Only singing…and no playing of instruments, was permitted in the early church.”  Hugo Leichtentritt

“I have no objection to the organ in our chapels provided it is neither heard nor seen.”  John Wesley, Originator of Methodism

“I declare that I never knew them (instruments of music) productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe they were productive of much evil.  Music, as a science, I esteem and admire; but instruments of music in the house of God, I abominate abhor.  This is the abuse of music, and I here register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Infinite Spirit who requires His followers to worship Him in spirit and in truth.”  Adam Clarke, Methodist commentator

“There can be no doubt that originally the music of the divine service was everywhere of a vocal nature.”  Emil Nauman, The History of Music

Good reader, the early Christians, who were guided by the apostles (John 16:13-14), did not use mechanical instruments of music in their worship.  Instead, they sang in a capella fashion.  They a) SANG with grace in their hearts–Colossians 3:16, b) SANG with their hearts–Ephesians 5:19, and they c) SANG with the spirit and the understanding–1 Corinthians 14:15.

Since we have neither command nor example for such in the New Testament, how can we afford to add them to our assemblies today (cf. Leviticus 10:1-2; 2 John 9; Colossians 3:17; Deuteronomy 22:18)?

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike

It was obvious that she (i.e., Christ’s bride at Philippi) wasn’t feeling her “normal” self.

Typically, she was a hardworking, energetic, and active (Philippians 1:5,6) lady, but in recent days she was uncharacteristically weak and uncoordinated.

A family member suggested that she set up a doctor’s appointment (Philippians 4:3).

Her symptoms didn’t demand an immediate visit to the ER, but they couldn’t just be ignored either (Mark 3:17).

That nagging “ache” served as overt evidence of a deeper, underlying problem.

Then too, failure to get treatment might make her more susceptible to other, more serious, ailments which could threaten her entire system (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Her doctor, a trusted family practitioner, ran a few tests and confirmed his diagnosis — she had suffered a small “fracture” (Philippians 4:2).

As a result, he recommended a combination of therapies and scribbled (Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Timothy 3:16) an inspired prescription on his notepad — Philippians 4:4-7:

Take A DAILY DOSE of joy–“Rejoice in the Lord always” (v. 4).

Unlike Paul, who could find joy in the confines of a Roman prison, some members of the Philippian fellowship experienced despair.

They focused on the dispute (i.e., fracture) between Euodia and Syntyche (which in turn, affected the whole congregation).

The apostle cautioned against this inappropriate emphasis and suggested that the saints needed to “keep on rejoicing” in view of their relationship with the Lord (Matthew 5:10-12).

EXERCISE gentleness–“Let your gentleness be known to all men” (v. 5a).

The word translated “gentleness” means strength under control and referred to the taming of a wild animal.

When an animal was brought under control by a trainer, it retained all of its physical prowess, but the trainer controlled the use of it. Euodia and Syntyche, like the other Philippian members, must have had strong personal feelings, but needed to exercise control over them (2 Peter 1:6).

Losing their tempers and/or tongues would only exacerbate this congregational wound (Proverbs 29:11).

Remember that THE DOCTOR IS always ON CALL–“The Lord is at hand”.

If she really wanted to help mend the fracture (John 5:6), the church needed to remember the nearness of the Lord (Hebrews 13:5b-6; Psalms 119:151; Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:27) and that He genuinely cared about this situation (1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 2:17).

The realization of his present nearness would have a calming and reassuring effect.

Cut anxiety out or your DIET–“Be anxious for nothing” (v. 6).

The Greek word translated “anxious” means to draw in different directions.

Some church members were pulled apart with worry over the disagreement between their two sisters in the Lord.

Even though these women believed the same gospel, stood for the same doctrine, and had their names in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5), some Christians could only fret (Luke 10:41).

Paul, under inspiration, suggested that this useless (Matthew 6:27) activity needed to be cut completely out of the Philippians’ spiritual diet.

Communicate your SYMPTOMS to the Great Physician–“… By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v. 7).

The concerns of the saints were to be taken to the throne of God.

Even though He was already aware of the Philippian fracture (Matthew 6:8), the church needed to step out in faith and leave this problem in his skillful hands (Daniel 6:10,11).

“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.”

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).