Truth changes not

I was reading the 22nd chapter of Kings and the thought struck me that this is a great illustration of how the truth does not change to fit circumstances. King Ahab of Israel decided to take Ramoth-gilead back from the Syrians and invited Jehoshaphat King of Judah to go with him. All Ahab's prophets prophesied a victory, but Jehoshaphat was suspicious, calling for an opinion from a "prophet of the Lord". One was available -- Micaiah -- but Ahab didn't like the fact that he usually prophesied something negative concerning him. But Micaiah was called and he prophesied the truth -- that Ahab would not return from the battle alive.

King Ahab only wanted to hear something good, but that did not change the truth. "And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil."

Four hundred prophets spoke the opposite, but that did not change the truth. "Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king."

Zedekiah dramatically illustrated Ahab's victory, but that did not change the truth. "And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them."

Micaiah was struck on the face, but that did not change the truth. "Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? And Micaiah said Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself."

Micaiah was thrown in jail, but that did not change the truth. "And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me."

Good king Jehoshapahat went to the battle with Ahab, but that did not change the truth. "So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead."

Ahab disguised himself to not appear to be a king, but that did not change the truth. "And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle." (about here I want to ask Jehoshaphat, "Just how stupid are you?" but the question often comes ringing back to me, "Just how stupid are you?")

Some Syrian archer was just shooting arrows in his simplicity, but that did not change the truth. "And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot."

Delay of time does not change the truth. Not only must we consider Micaiah's prophecy, but also Elijah's. Some three or more years before he had told Ahab, "Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine." So when the battle was over and Ahab was dead, "...one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake."

Psalm 117:2b - "...the truth of the LORD endureth for ever."

Be Strong

2 Timothy 2:1-7: "1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."

A Strong Christian is:
1. A Teacher who commits, verse 2.
2. A Soldier who endures, verses 3,4.
3. An Athlete who competes, verse 5.
4. A Farmer who labours, verse 6.

Old Testament Scripture...

...used in New Testament times. Here are some examples.

The gospel that Paul preached was according to the Old Testament scriptures - I Corinthians 15:1-4.

Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch using the Old Testament scriptures in Isaiah - Acts 8:35.

Paul demonstrated that Jesus was the Christ from the Old Testament scriptures - Acts 17:1-4.

Many Bereans believed as a result of searching the Old Testament scriptures - Acts 17:10-12.

Apollos convinced Jews in Achaia that Jesus was the Christ using the Old Testament scriptures - Acts 18:28.

The Old Testament scriptures testify of Christ - John 5:29.

The Old Testament scriptures are able to make one wise unto salvation - II Timothy 3:15.

The Old Testament scriptures teach salvation by faith - Romans 4:3; 10:8-11; Galatians 3:8,22; I Peter 2:6.

Jesus knowing

John 13:1-5: "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded."

Jesus knowing
The Present "the Father had given all things into his hands" Judas' betrayal, the trial, conviction and crucifixion were all part of God's definite purpose

The Past "that he was come from God" sent by the Father

The Future "that he went to God" Heb. 12:2

7 Churches of Asia

Some Thoughts on the Seven Churches of Asia in Revelation chapters 2 & 3.

This letter (book of Revelation) was sent to seven churches of Asia (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea). So when each church received the letter she also read the messages to the other churches as well as her own. The messages to these churches are:

1. Local - to these 7 historical churches (1:4)
2. Admonitory - an admonition to all of the Lord's churches throughout history. ("saith to the churches")
3. Individual - lessons to anyone who will listen ("he that hath an ear", 2:7, et.al.)

Prophetic (possibly): Some people believe that these 7 churches are prophetic of the church age -- in other words, 7 periods of history within the church age. It doesn't seem to have worked out historically according to the general prophetic idea usually based on these churches.

There is a general pattern to the seven letters:
1. Greetings - "unto the angel of the church of..."
2. Description of the Author - "he that holdeth the seven stars...he which hath the sharp sword...etc."
3. Commendation of good works (except for the church at Laodicea)
4. Condemnation of sin, error, etc. (except for Smyrna & Philadelphia)
5. Warning - "Repent...be faithful...hold fast...etc."
6. Exhortation - "hear what the Spirit saith..."
7. Promise - "To him that overcometh will I give...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee...etc."

The last four messages (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) reverse the order of the Promise and the Exhortation. It is also interesting to note the order in which the churches are addressed. The churches that receive the first and last letters are in grave danger of judgment - repent or I will come quickly and remove thy candlestick, and I will spue thee out of my mouth - though the first (Ephesus) has several good things to commend it and the last (Laodicea) seems to have none. Then the 2nd & 6th mentioned (Smyrna, Philadelphia) receive only commendation. The three placed in the middle of these four (Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis) are between these two extremes and receive commendation, condemnation and warning.

Singing blogs

After eight or nine blogs on singing, perhaps you all are growing a little weary -- I couldn't even get a Baptist reaction by posting a Reformed position on singing Psalms only! Ha. Well, we'll move on to something else. ;-)

Where to sing - Henderson, TX August 12

The preceding blogs have dealt with various opinions about singing and how to sing. Now here's WHERE to sing -- East Texas Sacred Harp Convention in Henderson, Texas August 12th and 13th. Click link for info and map.

How to sing -- George Root

I ought to say something about the condition of music in our part of the country in those days. Not many years before, a singing-school had been held in the old red schoolhouse, where "faw, sol, law, faw, sol, law, me, faw" were the syllables for the scale -- where one must find the "me" note (seven) to ascertain what key he was singing in, and where some of the old "fuguing tunes," as they were called, were still sung. I well remember how, shortly after, we heard a new system of teaching music had been introduced into Boston, in which they used a blackboard and sang, "do, re, me," etc., to the scale. But how silly "do" sounded. We thought it smart to say that the man who invented that was a dough-head, and how flat were fa and la, in comparison with the dignified "faw" and "law." Later, however, when some tunes connected with the new movement came we changed our minds about the man who was at the head of it. Nothing before, so heavenly, had been heard as the melody to "Thus far the Lord hath led me on" (Hebron); and one of the great things in going to Boston was that I should probably see Lowell Mason.

-- George F. Root, The Story of a Musical Life

How to sing -- David Blount

1. Why Sing?
We must begin then by asking, Why sing in worship? The first and last records of singing in Scripture (Exod. 15:1; Rev. 15:3) have a link: redemption is the common theme - the church praising her deliverer, her Saviour. But more than example, we have command to sing: "Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing" (Psa. 100:2).

2. Why Sing Psalms?
If we are to sing praise to God, then the immediate question which arises is, What are we to sing? As regards the Psalms there can be no doubt about their appointment for singing: "O come, let us sing unto the Lord...Let us...make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" (Psa. 95:1,2). The New Testament contains similar exhortations, especially those couched in the two controversial verses - Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16. Churches which today effectively practise an "exclusive hymnody" should at the very least be asking themselves why God's hymnbook has NO place in their singing.

3. Why Sing Psalms Only?
The key texts here are: Eph. 5:18,19; Col. 3:16.
A. Believers are commanded to become filled with Christ's Spirit by the indwelling of His word.
B. This is to be accomplished by mutual instruction through singing.
C. Therefore the phrase "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" denotes the Psalms of David, because they alone satisfy both of these conditions, i.e., they are the word of Christ and they are designed for singing...There is no record of Jesus or His apostles singing anything but psalms.

The psalms, hymns and songs are all said to be "spiritual" or "Spirit-given." Which of our hymn-writers would claim that for his writings? We are sure though that the Psalms are the very words of the Spirit and therefore the perfect vehicle to serve the purpose of singing in worship, which is, not the outpouring of our feelings, but the discipling of our souls.

-- Excerpted from David Blount in Why sing Psalms only?

How to sing -- Ephraim Rotewell

In early America, the "New Way" of singing -- by reading music and following "rules" -- was a threat many a New Englander feared.

"The new Singers will bring in Popery upon us before we are aware of it. Truly, I have a great jealousy, that if we once begin to sing by Rule, the next thing will be to pray by Rule, and preach by Rule; we must have Common Prayer, Forsooth, and then comes Popery."

-- Ephraim Rotewell, New England Courant, March 20, 1722

How to sing -- Thomas Symmes

Objections to the "New Way" of singing, by one favoring the "Usual Way"

(1) That it is a New Way, an Unknown Tongue. (2) That it is not so Melodious as the Usual Way. (3) That there are so many Tunes, we shall never have done learning. (4) That the Practice of it gives Disturbance; Roils & Exasperates men's Spirits; grieves sundry good People, and causes them to behave themselves indecently & disorderly. (5) That is Quakerish & Popish, and introductive of Instrumental Musick. (6) That the Names given to the Notes are Bawdy, yea Blasphemous. (7) That it is a Needless way, since their good Fathers that were Strangers to it, are got to Heaven without it.

-- Thomas Symmes, Utile Dulci. 1723

Note: Symmes was a proponent of the "new way" or "regular way" of singing -- learning to sing by reading music rather than memorizing tunes. He presented the above in the form of a dialogue to give the arguments for the "Usual Way" and against his viewpoint. Of his own views, he writes:

"Singing by Note is giving every note its proper pitch, and turning the voice in its proper place, and giving every note its true length and sound. Whereas the Usual Way varies much from this. In it, some notes are sung too high, others too low, and most too long, and many turnings or flourishings with the voice (as they call them) are made where they should not be..."

How to sing -- Unknown

First, find your range. Identify whether you have a high voice (soprano) or low voice (tenor) or somewhere in between. If you sing out of your voice range, you will never sound good no matter how much you practice. Start by seeing how low and how high your voice will reach. Determine which sounds better and which pitch is most comfortable to achieve.

Next, try matching your voice to other singers and then practice singing along with their songs. When practicing singing, sing loudly rather than softly. This builds strength in your vocal cords and strength is what will eventually enable you to control them better.

Breathing is an important aspect of singing. Draw your breath from deep down and learn to use the breath to emit the sound from your diaphragm rather than your throat or nose. With practice, your breathing will become coordinated with your vocal cords as you strengthen and smooth your vocal cords.

-- Unknown

How to sing -- Thomas Cassidy

Guidelines for Music Selection and Use.
"And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?" (1 Corinthians 14:7).

1. Words - The words of the songs we sing are very important. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8).

2. Life-style and testimony of writers. "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Matthew 12:34). Is the life-style and testimony of the writers in agreement with God's Word? What do the writers think of Jesus Christ? "Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David." (Matthew 22:42).

3. Effect on listeners. Does this song cause listeners to give glory to God or to the singer? What does this song motivate one to do or to be? Does this song cause the hearers to want to grow closer to the Lord, and to be more Christ like, or is it merely entertaining them?

4. Appropriateness. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Is this musical selection appropriate for this service or occasion?

Criteria for Evaluating Music.

1. Words: The words of the song must be doctrinally correct.

2. Melody: The melody must be strong and clear. A strong melody will build to one major climax and possibly several minor climaxes. Variety is the key.

3. Harmony: Harmony should show some creative ability on the part of the composer/arranger. Avoid music that does not resolve; that overuses chord clusters (clusters destroy tonality which is an absolute); that utilizes "blues" notes as found in "rhythm and blues" music.

4. Rhythm: Rhythm is a vital part of music but should not dominate. There should be a natural accent in the rhythm.

-- Excerpted from A Biblical Philosophy of Christian Music by Thomas Cassidy, First Baptist Church of Spring Valley, California, © 1995

How to sing -- W. M. Cooper

Suggestions

In order to get the best results in Harmony possible, the committee respectfully offers the following suggestions.

First: Be sure to pitch the songs properly. For this duty select some brother for the day, and let others keep silent.

Second: Sing according to time. Give measured notes full time, and observe rests in all instances.

Third: Do not sing too loudly. The fault of too loud singing may be avoided to a great extent by pitching music properly.

Fourth: Never sing alto in the high voice. There is no symphony whatever in such singing. Boys may sing alto, and the ladies may sing alto in the grave voice. It will be better for men not to try to sing this part unless they sing it in the grave voice.

-- W. M. Cooper, The B. F. White Sacred Harp, 1960 (but found in earlier editions; probably as early as 1902 or 1907)

How to Sing -- John Wesley

John Wesley's Directions for Singing

I. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.

II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.

III. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.

IV. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.

V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.

VI. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move there with as exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.

VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.

-- From John Wesley's preface to "Sacred Melody", 1761

How to sing

Yesterday, Chris Stoddart posted John Wesley's directions for singing on our Sacred Harp/Shape note discussion list. After that I decided to post that and some other "directions for singing" here on my blog.

Almost everyone has an opinion about "how to sing"! So, starting tomorrow, for the next several days I will post the opinions of others (without comment, but you can comment) under the title "how to sing" -- although some are more general opinions about music and not just about how to sing.

How to sing -- George Root
How to sing -- David Blount
How to sing -- Ephraim Rotewell
How to sing -- Thomas Symmes
How to sing -- Unknown
How to sing -- Thomas Cassidy
How to sing -- W. M. Cooper
How to Sing -- John Wesley

Opinions still wanted

Some of you posted your opinion in answer to a question on one blog post. Your opinions are still wanted. Click here: Your Opinion???

Just read

"Isn't it time to stop asking the LORD to bless what we are doing, and start doing what HE has [blessed] and is blessing?" - Billy Wright, Jr. in "Another Way: House Churches, Part 4", Baptist Monitor, p. 11, June 2006

Thoughts - yes, no, doesn't matter, other??

Respect of persons

James 2:1-9 - "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."

Respect of persons is incompatible with the faith (v. 1ff.). "...have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ...with respect of persons" -- the two are incompatible. Worldly partially does not fit God's spiritual people (or at least should not!). We should judge "righteous judgment" (John 7:24). God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Jesus did not "regard the person of men" (Matthew 22:16).

Respect of persons is inconsistent with the facts of the Christian situation (vv. 5-7). Their own Christian brothers and sisters were more likely to be "the poor of this world", while the rich were oppressing Christians and blaspheming Jesus. Is not this still true today? Cf. I Corinthians 1:26-28.

Respect of persons is a transgression of God's law (vv. 8.9). Respect to person is sin. But if we fulfill the royal law of Christ -- love thy neighbor as thyself -- we will not have respect to persons and will treat all preferentially equally above ourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Philippians 2:5-8 - "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Two upcoming singings

Two rural Rusk County (Texas) churches will have their annual homecomings on back-to-back weekends.

Sunday June 11th: Smyrna Baptist Church, starting at 10:00 a.m., this singing will be from the "little book", seven-shape note accompanied singing. For a map to this location, see here: Smyrna map (not the same singing, but the same location)

Sunday June 18th: Zion Hill Baptist Church, starting at 10:00 a.m., this singing will be from the Sacred Harp, four-shape unaccompanied singing. For a map to this location, see here: Zion Hill map

All are welcome. All are invited. In each case, dinner will be served and donations will be received for the associated cemeteries -- Holleman Cemetery and Zion Hill Cemetery.