“The Hour Has Come To Wake Up”
Alvin Jennings
[Romans 13:11]
There is widespread unrest due to doctrinal change in the
churches of Christ. This is seen in news reports in the papers as well
as by general observation in our own area. Some members of the church
are asking for a clear statement, therefore, from their elders and
preachers as to whether the congregation where they attend will continue
preaching and practicing “the strait and narrow way” according to the
patterns given in the New Testament ... or whether they will follow the
crowds in “the broad way that leads to destruction,” division and
denominationalism (Matthew 7:1-14).

It has been observed in the current issue (February, 2006) of
the Christian Chronicle, the newspaper that reports news and activities
among members of the Churches of Christ (a cappella), that there are many
among us who no longer hold to these principles, and who would lead
members in joining hands in fellowship with the Christian Churches who
have introduced innovations that have caused division among us “contrary
to the doctrine which we learned” (Romans 16:17) in the Lord’s church.
The most notable division in the history of what we know as the
Restoration Movement was recognized and reported in the government census
of 1906, exactly 100 years ago. Being oblivious to the warnings of
history, some among us are ignoring or minimizing the causes of these
divisions, rather than observing the admonition in the Bible to “mark
those who cause divisions contrary to the doctrine, and turn away from
them” (Romans 16:17). Some who have abandoned their congregation’s early
commitment to Bible truth have changed their founders’ definition of
beliefs, their legal or official charter, thus enabling practices
contrary to what it would have allowed.

In congregations in our own community, we have seen brethren
divided by the introduction of mechanical instruments of music into the
public worship and into the praise services of our youth. Some have
changed the name of the church so as to no longer be identified with the
Lord’s great brotherhood. Some are funding the formation of new
congregations to be known by an unbiblical “community” type generic term,
where the musical praise is being planned to include mechanical
instruments. Elders report that some of their members are leaving their
congregation to join with this new community church just down the street
from where they meet. Even though some congregations do not now use
these mechanical devices in their worship assemblies, it is obvious they
would now be doing so were it not for merely pragmatic reasons. They
speak of their ‘likes’ or their ‘personal preference’ for a cappella
singing because they were raised “in that tradition.” Since scripture
and nature teach that “each produces after its own kind,” any church that
participates in the planting of an instrumental church is itself the same
kind in heart and doctrine.

Women in some of our congregations are no longer exhorted to
remain “silent in the churches,” but rather are given positions of
leadership over men, and in some cases publicly pray in the assemblies
and speak and exhort from the scriptures in public gatherings in the
presence of men. Scriptures say this is to their “shame.”

Our youth attend rallies where speakers encourage change in the
worship of the church. Some of our finest preachers of the past are now
helping to establish “community” churches where biblical patterns are not
observed and honored. Even where these innovations are not practiced,
changes are advocated and those who would express caution are sometimes
ridiculed and given no voice to express their concerns. Those who have
left these 'to the left' congregations need assurances that they have not
“left the frying pan only to find themselves in the fire” of drifting
doctrines and directions.

Adding to these alarms, it is being observed that the directors
of Abilene Christian University and of the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop
have abandoned their former distinctive roles in leadership and are now
celebrating on their programs leaders from the digressive Christian
Church fellowship, further distancing themselves and alienating faithful
brethren in thousands of churches of Christ. The time has come for
strong and clear statements of clarification on where our church leaders
stand and on the direction in which they will be leading us. We cannot
survive on cute sermonettes and clever stories in our pulpits. We are
asking for assurances of sound doctrine in our pulpits and classrooms (I
Timothy 4:1-6; Galatians 1:6-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

All that is necessary for evil to grow is for good men to do
nothing. Today’s failure to stand against sin and unbiblical changes
opens the floodgates to compromise and apostasy. A warning from the Old
Testament: Remember Eli and his sons. And remember that Jotham did what
was right himself, but he failed to say “no” to his family and their ways
of sin. Consequently his son Ahaz embraced them fully to his downfall
and the crumbling of his people (2 Chron. 28; 2 Kings 16; Isaiah 7:4-9).
2/4/2006 aj

I appreciate your essay. Unfortunately, it is a reminder and not a news flash. If you have been a member of the Lord's Church for more than 10 years, you have seen this happening for a while.

I always hear people talk about stopping it, or standing up to the change agents, or holding firm, but I never hear any suggestions of HOW to do it.

Anybody have an idea of what can be done?

If the congregation of the Lord in North Richland Hills erected an Asherah pole (physical thing)and people gathered around it in worship (spiritual), would you not tear it down (remove the physical thing from the midst of the congregation as worship)?

Would not rebellion be in order? Rebellion against those people and things that are against the Lord and His church.

The Lord commanded physical destruction on the THINGS (physical) he did not approve by His word.

That is how.


Judges 6:24-31

So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

25 That same night the LORD said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. [c] Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole [d] beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of [e] altar to the LORD your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second [f] bull as a burnt offering."

27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the men of the town, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.

28 In the morning when the men of the town got up, there was Baal's altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar!

29 They asked each other, "Who did this?"
When they carefully investigated, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it."

30 The men of the town demanded of Joash, "Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."

31 But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, "Are you going to plead Baal's cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar."

32 So that day they called Gideon "Jerub-Baal, " saying, "Let Baal contend with him," because he broke down Baal's altar.

thanks for sharing this. I still remember the classic book Mr. Jennings wrote entitled: "Traditions of men vs. the Word of God".

Good to again see this brothers faithful teachings!

JC +++

This battle will not be won by the hard-line churches of Christ. There's a new day dawning so you better get used to it! God is going to purge each and everyone one of you narrow-minded,hypocrital Pharisees out of His Church! You aren't growing and people are leaving your church because you are dead spiritually. Spirit led churches are dynamic and growing by leaps and bounds. All you care about is if other churches are using instrumental music and are conducting church as YOU, not the Bible has mandated. You never talk about winning souls for Christ, Gods grace, mercy or love. All you do is critisize and condemn...Hmmm...just like those Pharisees Christ had a lot to say about in the Gospels - and it wasn't good stuff either. He wasn't impressed with their judging, hypocritical and condemning ways, nor is He with you. Get a clue...do you really think anyone in thier right mind would want any part of a group of people who call themselves Christian and all they do is blast everyone else except themselves. And are even bold enough to say they are the only one's going go heaven. Wow! Last time I checked the Bible it said Jesus is the only one who can judge people. You better be careful...twisting the scriptures to say what you want them to say is apostasy. You are the ones espousing untruth. It's time for you hard-line church of Christer's to fall on your face and repent to God for distorting the truth, twisting the scriptures and driving people away from His church. Until you do this you will continue to loose people to the spirit filled and led churches which God is blessing. And to that I say, Thank you Lord!

Wendell,
What do you think this website is for? It is part of the problem, not part of the solution. I sympathize with your feeling of watching the church as you know it change around you. I know it can be scary. The thing is, I used to ask the same question as you-
What can be done?
The answer: nothing. Because it is God's will to see His church breathe new life and quit being smothered by legalism and lies. Like M. Beasely says, it's happening, and there is nothing we can do, but enjoy it.

The people on this site like to rattle their swords. They want to get them out and sharpen them, and polish them up, but they never want to use them. The reason is that the Holy Spirit is stopping them and withholding His power from them because their will is to stop God's movement in His church.

Wendell, here is what can be done: Love God with all your heart, love others more than yourself. When you do that, you and the church will be O.K.... no, you will be more than O.K., you will be blessed.

Lee Gullism,

Par for the course. It really should amaze me but it doesn't. You completely left out the second half of what Loving God means...Why is that? By the way, do you even believe he had commandments other than to "love one another"?

Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
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Jhn 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
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Jhn 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
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1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
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1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
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2Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

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Dear Ms. Beasley,

That is the most unChristian statement I have heard from a "so-called Christian". Your anger and hatred are screaming from the computer screen. I will pray for your soul. By the way, that was judgemental, critical, condemning, mean-spirited, merciless, and graceless. Who was behind that comment - God? I don't think so.

By the way, thank you so much for stereotyping something you have absolutely no clue about. I've never seen a c of C that does not glory in God and his grace and mercy. That my dear, was a lie and you know it. But, you've been brainwashed and your comments are outrageous and based on false information you've been taught. Nothing you say is new nor hurtful. Your comments only verify the need for a site like this and to warn even more people.

Your comments and lack of scriptural knowledge validate the truth of how shallow the scriptural education is at your "light" church. Here's some verses that seemed to have escaped your view. I dare you to actually read them!

1Ti 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
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2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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Tts 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
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Tts 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Oh, and as for "judging", here's a little fact you might want to think about. How is one to reprove, rebuke or admonish someone without "judging"? Hmmm.... You might want to look up the Greek word for judging and see exactly what it means. Your context is all messed up.

1Cr 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

*********************
My question to you is - are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Has your "church" glossed over the truth so that you cannot judge between truth and fiction? Is that why you are so angry? Or is it because the comments on this site have hit your soul, a soul of knowledge hidden deep within yourself that knows the truth is being spoken here and you don't want to hear it? Why else would you care enough to blast members of Christ's church with such ugliness and hatred?

I have prayed for you and that such hatred and anger is removed from your heart and soul...

what a love filled post M. Beasley, the fragrance of the LORD Jesus Christ really shines through in your humility. Surely, quite a reflection of the church "reworked"

Indeed as the Proverb says: "before honor comes humility"

JC +++

Spirit filled? More like money-seeking. Churches today are calling themselves spirit filled, but are concerned with entertaining their congregation, not teaching them the true word of God. The more entertaining the service, the more people will come, and the more money they will bring in. God doesn't need to be entertained, that should not be the churches main focus. I wonder when people leave your church, do they say they learned anything? Or just had fun?

Anonymous has uncovered the root of the problem with it's question.

"I wonder when people leave your church, do they say they learned anything? Or just had fun?"

Key word: OR Why does it have to be one or the other? We are good at boring people to tears with the most exciting message known to man. It should (or better) be FUN to LEARN about His saving grace.

God forbid someone would actually have fun. If they did, they might enjoy Christianity, and we can't have a bunch of happy Christians running around living in peace can we?

Teach people about God, and have fun doing it! Jesus did.

Your thoughts on enjoying worship or fun as many call it, is normal for many in the world today.
I think however we need to focus more on why we are at worship. We are to be at worship to 1. praise God, 2. Remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us, 3. Read the scriptures, 4. Pray, 5. Sing, 6. encourage, 7. teach, and 8. listen.
All of these things are why we are at services, worship. Not to be entertained by singers, dancers, clowns, puppets, the band. We cannot add to worship things that will distract us from the reasons we are there in the first place.
If you want entertainment go to a concert, go to a movie, watch TV. But if you are going to worship to worship God then do as he has prescribed and don't think you can improve on what He has given us.
I know boring worship will turn people away. So don't make it boring. Ask you elders what can be done, don't just sit on the bench and complain about the boring lessons and the same boring songs. But don't change the reasons for why you are there in the first place. Entertainment has a place just not in worship.

Having been a Christian for over 30 years and a graduate of 2 Christian colleges and worshipping with congregations in at least 15 different states and 2 foreign countries, I find it offensive they way some describe the bride of Christ. How dare you sling mud on the Lord's family!!

The honorable thing for those who don't like the Lord's church would be to simply leave her and leave her alone. It is pretty sad when the worst detractors are in the house.

It also amazes me how much language is aped from the denominations. The expression "Spirit led", exactly what is meant? Are they advocating that the Holy Spirit is personally leading or speaking to them beyond the scriptures? In one of Rick Atchley's lessons on the "Both/And" church he states that the Holy Spirit told him something.

These ideas sound more like Calvinism and Pentecostalism than Bible. We have people who have been drinking at the wells of denominationalists and cannot discern truth. Yet they want to rail against those who hold the scriptures in the highest regard.

However evil some in the 'non instrumental" group might be, it is not within the realm of possibility that a preacher or eldership would mount a plan to INFILTRATE and DIVERT an instrumental church into tossing out the instruments and instrumentalists. No 'liberal' who had decided that he did not believe in the Bible or the church which feeds his face would lie, cheat and steal the church house of widows. Therefore, those who follow the PURPOSE of the Purpose Drivne Cult or "blowing the winds of change" can only be defined as they are in the Bible and much recorded commentary on ancient pagan religions: John refused to baptized the "generaton of Vipers" and Jesus refused to teach them other than in parables as "red herrings" to NOT speak to them and Peter said that they should SAVE THEMSELVES from that Crooked Generation. We have noted that the classics define them as the perverted Skolion singers in their being "near wine" as the only VENUE for the flute-players called prostitutes and the harp-pluckers (psallo) as Sodomites: remember that they hoped that John and Jesus were "like that."

Based on The Book of Enoch, many similar "commentaries" on the Bible, several passages in the Bible including Isaiah 30 we know that the ONLY reason a burning hell was prepared was for Lucifer [Zoe]--the singing and harp playing prostitute--and all she/he/it could seduce. You will remember that the Serpent in the garden is known in the literature as a Musical Enchanter. Sophists or Rhetoricians are grouped with them and in Peter's words CORRUPT THE WORD meaning "selling learning at retail" and then "watering the wine." The king /queen of Babylon was another PATTERNISM for Lucifer and she and her harps and still breathing harpists went into the PIT which was specificially prepared for them. Here is the image: only the king is dead and the harpists will be buried alive to "rot on a bed of Maggots just as predicted in the Bible..



One of the most paganistic, legalistic and superstitious practice recorded is that of the musical prophet or prophetess or, in the words of John in Revelation, Sorcerers under the concept of the Mother of harlots. The god Apollo who is the father of the twanging bow to shoot forth arrows to send a "singing" arrow to abrade (psallo) you literal heart, the father of thieves and liars is also known as Phoebus or fear because while psallowing his lyre to send love arrows he might suddenly psallo his bow to give you a quick and easy death. Pan who is defined as the beast in revelation uses music to create PANIC. There is no exception to the rule that those who claim to have the holy spirit (a wee little creature) inside of them use psychological violence to create fear as they warn you NOT to question the elders led by the "pastor person." That is just another example of lying TO God and lying ABOUT God. John who promised another Comforter identified as I by Jesua and with the name "Jesus Christ the Righteous" in first John. Those who lie ABOUT the Spirit also claim that the olden words of Jesus are obsolete and they even "partner with God to get a new set." Now, widows and honest working people, never give even ONE mite to people like that: that Nigerian Widows is a lot more honest and at least you will not be ENABLING people who lie about ever musical statement in the bible or church historians.

As one person says of the postmodern big joke; "Lying is not what it used to be." Remembering that A Capella speaks of the Female Goat and the goat songs or tragedies and has NOTHING to do with what Jesus established. And remember the Nadab and Abihu problem when God gave them the SCAPE GOAT as a way to keep Azazel or Satan from harming them. With Goat as the goat-man, perverse and perverting with the "horns" to give his agents power:

Charles Spurgeon asked: Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?

An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it during the past few years. It has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments. The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.

From speaking out as the Puritans did,

the church has gradually toned down her testimony,
then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day.
Then she tolerated them in her borders.
Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it?

"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

That is clear enough So it would have been if He had added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to him.

In Fact, as a prophetic fulfilment of destroying the HARPS and Levitical Warrior Musicians in blood and fire, Jesus CAST OUT the musical minstrels using a term LIKE DUNG. Shall we follow in the steps of Jesus and remove them from the "sacred precincts" into which they would have never ventured even to clean out the garbage?

However, as all recorded history proves: when you make the Music equals Spirit worship and in the words of the song: "NO turning back, no turning back." You CAN sin so that there is NO REMEDY.

No: they have been drinking from NEW WINESKINS.