J. W. McGarvey: Commentary on Acts and the Civil War

In the fall of 1863 the manuscript of the Commentary on Acts was completed. The composition had occupied all spare time for three years. Twice the work had been slightly interrupted by Military operations; once by the siege of Lexington, Mo. When a Federal brigade which had established a fortified camp there was besieged and forced to surrender by the army of Gen. Sterling Price. The cannonading was distinctly heard at my desk, and the excitement such that writing suspended till the struggle was over. Oldest half-brother was in the battle on Confederate side and was prostrated by a spent minnie ball that struck him on the head.

The second interruption was in Lexington, Ky. when, after the battle at Richmond, the first Confederate army was seen marching into the city under Gen. Kirby Smith. Was at my desk writing when the roll of drums announced the approach of the victorious army, and I went out to the sidewalk to see them march by. Had I been as much excited over the war as most men no such work as a sober commentary on a sacred book could have been prosecuted. Most men then read nothing but newspapers, and when, not thus engaged they were discussing the incidents and prospects of the great struggle.  When the manuscript was completed it was a serious question whether amid the absorption of all minds in the issues of the war, it would be wise to publish the book. On counseling with Franklin and Rice, then publishing the American Christian Review at Cincinnati, decided to publish the Introduction and call upon such brethren as were willing to encourage the publication of the book to make advance subscriptions for it. In a short time subscriptions were made for 1600 copies, and this more than justified the undertaking. It was published by the firm of Franklin and Rice, and met with a gratifying sale until it was superseded thirty years later by a new and enlarged edition of which we will speak farther on.

Autobiography of J. W. McGarvey, pp. 29-30.

The Indwelling Spirit

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Symptoms of a Spiritual Malady

“What were the basic causes of digression which led to the introduction of instrumental music into the worship, and other departures from the truth resulting in the formation of the Christian Church denomination?”

Shortly before the turn of the present century a movement originated in the church of Christ that resulted in what is commonly known as the Christian Church. The view is widespread that the cause of this schism and resultant division was instrumental music in the worship and societies in the work of the church. Technically speaking, this is incorrect. True, these were major differences between those who adhered to the original pattern of things and those who went out from us; yet instrumental music and the societies were effects rather than causes—symptoms of a spiritual malady chronic and fatal in its nature.

Dr. A. W. Fortune, sometime professor in the College of the Bible, Lexington, Ky., and “pastor” of the Central Christian Church of that city, in his book, “The Disciples in Kentucky,” sets forth the factors which led to the division as follows:

“The controversies through which the Disciples have passed from the beginning to the present time have been the result of two different interpretations of their mission. There have been those who believed it is the spirit of the New Testament church that should be restored, and in our method of worship the church must adapt itself to changing conditions. There have been those who regarded the New Testament church as a fixed pattern for all time, and our business is to hold rigidly to that pattern regardless of consequences. Because of these attitudes, conflicts were inevitable.” (Page 383.)

This is, we believe, a fair and impartial statement of the divergence of views that obtained then, and are now characteristic of the two groups. Because of these differences in attitude toward the Scriptures, it was, as Dr. Fortune suggests, inevitable that division should come; and it came shortly before the turn of the present century. Those who had worked and worshiped together in an effort to plant again the cause of primitive Christianity in a land torn by division and cursed by denominationalism, divided among themselves, and the result was that another denomination came into existence. Ironically enough, those whose avowed mission in life was the utter destruction of all denominations became but another denomination, and thus built again the things they had once destroyed! Today the Christian Church admits its denominational status, and glories in the fact!

Instrumental music and the societies were, therefore, simply symptoms of the disease which lurked unseen—outward manifestations of an inward attitude wholly foreign to that which had characterized the Restoration Movement in its inception. Nor did this difference in attitude toward the Scriptures originate with this movement. It is the same as that which occasioned the famous controversy between Luther and Zwingli: whether we are at liberty to do anything not expressly forbidden, as Luther contended, or are bound by what is written, and must, therefore, do nothing for which there is not a “thus saith the Lord,” or an approved apostolic precedent, as Zwingli argued. This, too, is the point of issue between those who insist that the Bible, and the Bible alone, is a sufficient rule of faith and practice, and those who consider it a book of raw principles only, and therefore, adaptable to changing times and conditions. The former have always repudiated creeds, confessions of faith, and church manuals, while the latter have not hesitated to advocate them—indeed, to urge them as legitimate instruments to adopt the truth to present-day conditions. This is the door through which instrumental music, missionary societies, creeds, infant sprinkling, sprinkling and pouring as substitutes for baptism, and many other things admittedly not taught in the New Testament, were brought in. While all have not been as frank as Mr. Beecher, the eminent denominational preacher of an earlier generation, who said he practiced infant baptism for the same reason that he used an ox yoke—he had tried them and both worked—it is yet a fact that this is the real reason why so many things unauthorized by the Scriptures are practiced without question today.

Such an attitude is, of course, wholly foreign to that which characterized those who launched and fought the early battles of the Restoration Movement. Those pioneers of the faith were determined to do nothing for which there is no express command or approved precedent; and they were willing to speak only when the Scriptures speak and remain silent where the Scriptures are silent. So long as these principles were adhered to, unity prevailed, and the cause of primitive Christianity spread with a rapidity equaled only by that of the apostolic age. The Christian Church of today, is therefore, a total apostasy from the teaching of Campbell, Stone, Scott, Lard, and the others who were in the forefront of the effort to restore New Testament Christianity to the world. This, we believe, will not be seriously questioned by many of those who belong to that institution. Certainly those who boast of their denominational status will not insist on maintaining harmonious views with a man who required a daily paper in New Orleans to publish a correction of a statement representing him as the “head and founder” of a great denomination! Declaring that they did him too much honor—that he had always repudiated all human heads and names for the people of the Lord—Alexander Campbell demanded and received a correction of the notice erroneously inserted. Contrast Mr. Campbell’s attitude with that of “Dr. Harwood Miller,” the “permanent pastor” of the National City Christian Church: “Denominations and sects are not wholly or even largely the product of human pride and prejudice and unbrotherliness—a thing entirely wrong could not long endure by the devotion of men—it is unthinkable to condemn all sectarianism as sinful.”

The real cause of division in the body of Christ was, therefore, an abandonment of the principles which had hitherto motivated us. Those who no longer looked upon the New Testament as an all- sufficient guide and rule of faith and practice did not scruple to demand things unauthorized therein, while those who clung tenaciously to the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures as stoutly resisted them; and division was, therefore, inevitable. This, indeed, has been the cause of all departures from the faith since the days of the apostles. Those who regard the Bible as a complete revelation for all time cannot, in conscience, add to or take from its teaching in the smallest particular; while those who consider it as only a mass of raw principles to be worked into shape to fit changing conditions are not restrained by the injunctions it contains against adding to or taking from the holy word, and do not hesitate to do so when the exigencies of the hour seem to suggest it.

This fact is remarkably illustrated in the man who was responsible for first introducing an instrument of music into the church of Christ, L. L. Pinkerton. Said Dr. Fortune: “Dr. L. L. Pinkerton is credited by some with having been the first to make this departure when he introduced a melodeon in the worship of the church at Midway (Kentucky—G.N.W.).” The article on ‘Churches of Christ’ in Religious Bodies, 1926, makes that the beginning of the controversy. This statement is made: “The question as to the use of instrumental music of the church became an issue as early as 1859, when a melodeon was placed in the church at Midway, Ky.” (“Disciples in Kentucky,” pages 372, 373.) The attitude of this man (on whom rests the obloquy of corrupting the worship of God) toward the Scriptures will appear from the following: In 1869 Pinkerton and Shackleford began the publication of the Independent Monthly. In an article on “Bible Inspiration” he denied the theory of plenary inspiration, and criticized Milligan’s “Reason and Revelation,” and said that young preachers who were taught that Ps. 137:9 was inspired would “perpetuate a great many follies in his name.” In an article on “No Immersion—No Membership in a Church of the Reformation” he took the position that while he would only teach and practice immersion, he would be willing to let a man settle the question of baptism for himself. He said he would not thrust his translation of a Greek word between a man’s conscience and his God!

The Christian Church defection thus grew out of a difference in attitude toward the Scriptures. This being true, instrumental music and the societies, plus many more recent innovations, were natural developments, logically to be expected. Unity need never be expected until we come to see eye to eye on the value of the sacred Scriptures.

—-Questions And Answers, Open Forum, Freed-Hardeman College Lectures by Guy N. Woods, pp. 194-196.

The Identity of the Primitive Apostolic Church

In the commendable efforts of various men of the early nineteenth century to restore the Bible order, there were two basic principles to observe: first, the difference between reformation and restoration; and second, the basis of scriptural unity.

The result of the Protestant reformation was orthodox denominationalism. Swinging away from the intolerable dogmas of Romanism, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and others of the like spirit, built their protestant foundations on the sands of denominational creeds rather than on the rock of New Testament truth–and their foundations shifted with the crawling sands upon which they were built. Their reformations failed, falling far short of their original purpose.

A few generations later it fell to such intellects as Barton W. Stone, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, the Scotts and the Creaths, and a legion like them, to launch the mighty plea to abandon party names, party creeds, party organizations, and upon the right creed, the right name, the right doctrine, the right worship, such as taught in the New Testament itself, to restore the primitive apostolic church, the which couloved be neither Catholic nor Protestant, but scriptural, and therefore divine. There is no other basis of Christian unity—scriptural unity. And there is no other way to establish the identity of the primitive apostolic church. The wrong creed, the wrong doctrine, the wrong worship, the wrong organization and the wrong name could not possibly result in the right church. But the right creed, the right doctrine, the right worship, the right organization and the right name, for a like reason, cannot be the wrong church.

Foy E. Wallace Jr. Bulwarks Of The Faith, pp. 37-38

“Let The Preacher Do It!”

Preach the gospel the Lord has said.  And the congregation knew they must get to it.  So, they searched and found the perfect man.  And said, “Now we can let the preacher do it.”

Bring in the crowds and preach the truth that’s our work and we’ll be true to it.  But we work hard all day and we’re tired at night.  And for what he is getting paid, “Let the preacher do it.”

They needed to visit the sick and seek the lost.  They needed to pray and everyone would pursue it.  But this man they hired seemed to do a good job.  So they decided, “Just let the preacher do it.”

There’s a worksheet on the bulletin board.  Every day there are more things added to it.  But they have homes of their own to take care of.  And with all his free time, “Just let the preacher do it.”

Someone has set up a Bible study.  He’s not sure he’ll have time to do it.  Anyway, isn’t that what we hired the man for?  It’s his job to study.  “Just let the preacher do it.”

Well, the day finally came when the Lord returned.  The congregation waiting for their reward true to it.  But a voice from heaven said, “Just one person can come in, and guess what, I think I’ll let the preacher do it.”

-author unknown.

There are ministers of the gospel who are all too familiar with a segment of brethren who believe they pay/hire the preacher to do the work of the Christians in the congregation. We might label this a “proxy” position that is manmade and found to be in opposition to Peter’s statement by inspiration of the Holy Spirit when he wrote that Christians are to be a “spiritual priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Many churches exhibit this mindset. I have had it said more than once in churches I have been associated with that “we pay you to do that” when referring to teaching the lost, preaching, visiting, being involved in everything that is going on within the congregation, etc.

I am thankful to God that elderships exist that allow the preacher to be the preacher and do the work of an evangelist without the unscriptural trappings of a hireling mentality.  I am blessed to be serving under an eldership that understands the organization of the church, the role of elders, deacons, ministers and members in the work of a local congregation!

Below is a catalog of tasks I kept track of in one of my past works where duties were assigned continually (no secretary).

Sermon planning, preparation & delivery. Bible classes every Sunday and Wednesday. Type, proof, copy & fold the bulletin each week. Announcements on Wednesdays. Invitation each Wednesday. Prepare attendance charts for deacon. Type and submit a work schedule each month. Schedule men to give invitation one Wednesday each month. Pick up church mail from Post Office. Handle all church correspondence. Reserve hotel rooms for visiting preachers. Personal correspondence. Preparation for lectureships. Prepare ladies day booklets. Prepare men’s retreat booklets. Write, copy & mail advertisements for gospel meetings, VBS and other events. Teach in VBS. Keep detailed work journal for elders. Visit. Conduct funerals. Officiate weddings. Attend business meetings. Elder-preacher meetings. Order tracts and maintain tract rack. Order Bible class materials. Order supplies as necessary and when requested. Study. Monday for the Master (primarily building & grounds work). Prepare and copy sermon notes for each sermon. Responsible for maintaining copier. Write bulletin article each week. Upload bulletin and update web site each week. Write and send cards. Maintain church library. Knock doors for VBS and gospel meetings. Organize and maintain resource room. Office hours nine to five Tuesday through Friday. Coordinate House to House Heart to Heart (write articles, advertising & answer material requests). Order & promote Bible correspondence courses. Answer Bible questions. Research & copy material for members with questions on Bible subjects. Open building before church services. Gather and take out trash each week at building. Tape sermons. Announcements each night of gospel meetings. Receive preachers and take them to where they are staying during gospel meeting. World Bible school teacher. Set up tables, chairs as needed for potluck dinners. Send tract requests to those who request them. Preach in gospel meetings. Speak at youth rallies. Maintain life group lists. Schedule preachers for gospel meetings. Teach lunchtime Bible study periodically at neighboring congregation. Distribute tracts and literature at area hospitals. Preacher’s wife takes care of all baptistery garments, towels from kitchen, etc.

Preaching on the Interior of Hell

A. Lake of fire – Revelation 20:15.

B. A bottomless pit – Revelation 20:1.

C. A horrible tempest – Psalm 11:6.

D. A devouring fire – Isaiah 33:14.

E. A place of sorrows – Psalm 18:5.

F. Where they wail – Matthew 13:42.

G. A place of weeping – Matthew 8:12.

H. A furnace of fire – Matthew 13:41-42.

I. A place of torments – Luke 16:28.

J. Everlasting burnings – Isaiah 33:14.

K. A place of filthiness – Revelation 22:11

L. Where they curse God – Revelation 16:11.

M. Where they have no rest – Revelation 14:11.

N. A place of outer darkness – Matthew 8:12.

O. A place where people pray – Luke 16:27.

P. A place where they can never repent – Matthew 12:32.

Q. A place where they scream for mercy – Luke 16:24.

R. A place of everlasting punishment – Matthew 25:46.

S. A place where they gnaw their tongues – Revelation 16:10.

T. A place of blackness and darkness forever – Jude 13.

U. A place where they scream for one drop of water – Luke 16:24.

V. A place where they will be tormented with brimstone – Revelation 14:10.

W. A place where there are dogs, sorcerers and whoremongers – Revelation 22:15.

X. A place where they do not want their loved ones to come – Luke 16:28.

Y. They are away from the face of the Lord – 2 Thessalonians 1:9.

Z. It is the second death – Revelation 20:14

In the forward to John Blanchard’s book, “Whatever Happened To Hell?”, J.I. Packer writes: What should we do with this teaching? May we water it down because we find it uncomplimentary, and embarrassing, and contrary to the spirit of our age? Surely not: it is as divine, and as authoritative, as anything else in the New Testament, and the fact that it jars with today’s humanistic unbelief makes the declaring and defending of it all the more important” (pp. 9-10).

Saying “Thank You”

“In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The Psalmist declared thanksgiving unto the Lord frequently to God our Creator: “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107: 1) “For Your loving kindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth” (Psalm 26:3) “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works” (Psalm 26:7) “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4) “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:17).

The New Testament is replete with declarations of thanksgiving and its importance. “be thankful” (Colossians 3:15); “…abounding through many thanksgivings to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12); “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6-7); “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2); “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,

Be to our God forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 7:12).

Thankfulness is a positive attribute that accomplishes great good among mankind. Being thankful to one another is just as proper as being thankful to God for His care and provisions, spiritually and physically.

Gratitude is a proven “building quality” in relationships.

…saying “thank you” is one of the very best ways to connect with people. It costs nothing and can reap tremendous rewards. Simply saying “thank you” and showing appreciation in other ways, makes people feel valued and respected, and boosts their self-esteem…According to experts at the Nierenberg Group, specialists in sales training and motivational workshops, saying “thank you” in writing is one of the most powerful ways to express your feelings. Notes of appreciation just plain make people feel good. The recipient is better able to savor your words and think about your sincerity when they have it in writing (Quill Pen Pal Newsletter, November 2002, p. 1).

Receiving recognition and appreciation helps increase dedication and commitment whether it be as an employer, employee, friendship, family relationship, church relationship, etc… Apply the following quote to the church.

When someone knows they’re appreciated, they’ll be especially motivated…Recognition and praise can keep an organization running smoothly. An employee who feels important and valued will instinctively strive to do his best, and won’t be interested in being any place else (Quill, p. 4).

Are you “thankful” (feeling or expressing gratitude) or “thankless” (not feeling or expressing gratitude)? “Simply saying “thanks” is a very easy thing to do. It won’t break your budget or take much time out of your busy schedule (Quill, p. 4).

AMBIGUOUS LANGUAGE

am-big-u-ous 1. Open to more than one interpretation: an ambiguous reply. 2. Doubtful or uncertain: SYNONYM: ambiguous, equivocal, obscure, recondite, abstruse, vague, cryptic, enigmatic These adjectives mean lacking clarity of meaning. Ambiguous indicates the presence of two or more possible meanings (American Heritage Talking Dictionary. Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc).

Vague statements are capable of leaving the wrong impression and increase the possibility of deception. Statements need to be qualified (“modified, limited, or restricted in some way”) in order to know exactly what is meant by the one communicating. Noncommittal answers fail to give the proper response when we are bound to give a defense for our faith (1 Peter 3:15)! The truth of God’s Word (John 17:17) is perfect (James 1:25) and is our objective standard (John 12:48).

Consider the following statements keeping in mind the definition of ambiguous language (Open to more than one interpretation).

“I believe the Bible.” It is noble for one to state that they believe the Bible! Does this individual believe the Bible is a “good book” or do they believe and recognize it as the authority in all spiritual matters? Is the Bible to be believed only when it doesn’t conflict with religion, lifestyle, tradition, creeds or associations? Rejected when it is applied specifically as being the final authority? Many believe the Bible, but few faithfully obey its teachings (Matthew 7:21-23). What is meant when one says “I believe the Bible”?

“Baptism does not save.” Does this ambiguous statement conclude that baptism cannot save alone or is it saying that baptism is not essential to salvation? The Apostle Peter records: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:18-21). Baptism saves; but not removed from faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3), and confessing the name of Christ (Acts 8:37).

Jesus preached that immersion in His name was essential to salvation! Mark 16:16 reads, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Peter by inspiration told his hearers “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Baptism is essential to salvation. Baptism alone does not save!

“We don’t have music in the church” Now and again, a well-intentioned member of the church of Christ will say “we don’t have music in the church.” This generally refers to the absence of mechanical instruments of music in the worship. The statement is ambiguous. The church of Christ does have “music” in its worship. Vocal music is a part of Christian worship (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Our singing praise to God is a type of spiritual sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15). There is power in singing to: 1. Teach 2. Admonish 3. Encourage, and 4. Motivate. During the lifetime, and in the writings of the apostles, Christian praise is never described with musical instruments, only the human voice and heart.

“I believe Christ’s law on Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage.” The subject of marriage, divorce, and remarriage is one of the most sensitive issues currently facing the church. The subject has become so diverse preachers, elders and members often misapply the Scriptures.

One may state that they believe Christ’s teaching on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, yet when they make application, may believe: 1. that the law of God on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage only applies to Christians, and not those outside of Christ. 2. More than one exception (“fornication”) is acceptable for Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage. 3. That regardless of their marital history, one may continue to live with the spouse they have at the time of their baptism. 4. That a deserted believer may remarry. 5. That the guilty party may remarry. 6. That couples can live in adultery with God’s approval. 7. That adulterous marriages are washed away at baptism.

We must speak the truth of God’s Word in love and make it clear that marriage is intended by God to be a lifelong union (Matthew 19:6). We are obligated to help our hearers understand that in the absence of Scriptural cause, divorce itself is sinful (Matthew 19:6). When remarriage takes place, the additional sin of adultery is committed. First, by the man or woman who unscripturally puts away a mate and remarries (Mark 10:11-12). Second, by the one put away who remarries (Matthew 5:32). And Third, by the one who marries the one put away (Matthew 5:32). Unscriptural divorce invites the additional sin of remarriage and adultery.

Ambiguous language is detrimental to the cause of Christ and to the faithful transmission of the Word of God. Neil W. Anderson gets to the heart of the matter when he writes:

“Ask questions of those who teach you and your children. Hold their teachings up to the light of God’s Word. When people say they believe something, ask them to explain what they mean or apply it to a situation. Don’t just assume that because they are using the same phrase as you would that they mean the same thing. They may, but they may not – be alert (Gospel Advocate, March 2000, p. 3).