The Restoration Principle - Alfred T.
DeGroot - Justin Martyr
See Why Jesus Christ is honored on Sunday, the Lord's Day.
Quotes are from The Restoration
Principle, Alfred T. DeGroot, p. 33, Bethany Press
Alfred T. DeGroot The Restoration Principle
Alfred T. DeGroot Rejecting Tradition
Alfred T. DeGroot Subtracting Music
Alfred T. DeGroot The Instructor
Alfred T. DeGroot Cyprian
Alfred T. DeGroot Justin Martyr
Alfred T. DeGroot Lactantius
Alfred T. DeGroot Tertullian Justin Martyr is one of the
proof-text persons used to prove that there was no interest in a
pattern for Christian Worship.
Alfred T. DeGroot: "If the idea of a patterned church had been prophesied in the Old Testament or employed in the developing New Testament, the reader is easily persuaded that the martyr would have set it forth with elaborate documentation.
Perhaps it is easy for DeGroot and the more modern proponents of a "core" gospel to dismiss the Apostolic church idea and the apostles and the Epistles because they believe, along with Catholics, that the New Testament was a human development of the evolving church. It appears that the New Testament was still developing during Justin Martyr's time.
Because DeGroot's motive is to denounce churches of Christ as "sectarian" for refusing to add instrumental music as worship, it is important to know that all of the "fathers" denounce instrumental music as a pagan force which had not -- during their times -- dared to be used in Christian worship.
First, let's look at the Division Movement to defend a few truths about Jesus and cast away the Epistles as the divisive discussion of leaders in their time and place:
Alfred T. DeGroot notes that the New Testament is the product of the church still loyal to Jesus. This is the Catholic view:
Alfred T. DeGroot: "It is one of the insights of devoted biblical scholarship since Thomas Campbell's time to see that loyalty to Jesus Christ takes presendence over and gives meaning to a Christian use of the New Testament.
The New Testament is itself the record of a fellowship created by loyalty to the accepted Messiah an Savior, a fellowship
which transcended differences of worship methods and ethical interests,
so long as an increasing embodiment of the will of Christ was ever the goal of the companions in the Way."Peter's and Paul's almost violent divergence on the race problem, John's unique and (as far as the record goes) unshared interest in the theology of pre-existence." ( p. 139) is DeGroot's proof that the New Testament is the result of conflicting apostles and divisive churches.
We might add, however, that these differences were worked out and recorded under inspiration so that we do not have to deny inspiration. After all, the original apostles and later Paul were promised that they would be guided into whatever they needed to know as they laid the foundation which is Christ. And if the New Testament is an inspired "book" we would not expect every chapter to say the same things. John seems to have been the clean-up writer to explain some of the misunderstandings of the early church.
If the pre-existence of Christ is one of these disinterested topics then it is easy to see how the rest can be thrown away like an old shoe.
The Rubel Shelly Formulation of the Gospel:
Here is what God wants churches passionate about:
(1) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, (2) that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
(3) "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).
(4) "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: (5) While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (6) Since we have now been justified by his blood, (7) how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" (Rom. 5:8-9).
These are the essentials of Christian faith. It is this core message about Jesus that we share in common with other Bible-believing, cross-proclaiming, resurrection-confessing, born-again persons that constitutes us a church.
Outside the essence of the gospel,
there are other features that reflect our history and consensus interpretations of the larger biblical message.
The Leroy Garrett Formulation of the Gospel:
"This is to say that the gospel is not the whole of the New Testament scriptures,
for the gospel was a reality long before the scriptures were written.
Strictly speaking, the teachings of the apostles are not facts, as the gospel is, but interpretations, implications, and edification based on the gospel.In this area, that of the didache (teaching) even the apostles differed in their ideas and emphases. The churches for whom these documents were written were likewise different from each other.
Garrett goes on to define the "gospel" as something revealed but not subject to debate but:
"The doctrine allows for debate and dialogue, for intellectual stimulation and the stretching of the mind. It nurtures us in Christ, but in such a way that each man develops according to his own uniqueness. The pragmatic mind as well as the speculative mind finds food for thought. Its design is (not) to make us all alike in our thinking, but to make us mature in Christ.
First, let us hear Justin define the New Testament "pattern" of worship which still existed pretty much as the Apostles left the church in the Epistles. It is probable that we cannot find anything like "singing" in this church which is consistent with the Synagogue where "singing" was cantillating the Biblical Test -- first prose and only later the Psalms or poetic records.
"[a.d. 110-165.] Justin was a Gentile, but born in Samaria, near Jacob's well. He must have been well educated: he had traveled extensively, and he seems to have been a person enjoying at least a competence. After trying all other systems, his elevated tastes and refined perceptions made him a disciple of Socrates and Plato. So he climbed towards Christ. As he himself narrates the story of his conversion, it need not be anticipated here. What Plato was feeling after, he found in Jesus of Nazareth. The conversion of such a man marks a new era in the gospel history. The subapostolic age begins with the first Christian author,-the founder of theological literature. It introduced to mankind, as the mother of true philosophy, the despised teaching of those Galileans to whom their Master had said, "Ye are the light of the world."
A Restoration Movement is not like a cluster of grapes: it must be accomplished one grape at a time. In describing the Lord's Supper Justin appeals to Jesus who instituted it and Paul who defined it much later.
Chapter XIII.-Christians Serve God Rationally -- Not Just in Church
Pattern: In Spirit prayer and thanksgiving.
"What sober-minded man, then, will not acknowledge that we are not atheists, worshipping as we do the Maker of this universe, and declaring, as we have been taught, that He has no need of streams of blood and libations and incense; [Justin later adds sound] whom we praise to the utmost of our power by the exercise of prayer and thanksgiving for all things wherewith we are supplied, as we have been taught that the only honour that is worthy of Him is not to consume by fire what He has brought into being for our sustenance,
but to use it for ourselves and those who need,
and with gratitude to Him to offer thanks by invocations and hymns[Psalm singing is actually interpolated from other writings] pompaj kai umnouj. "Grabe, and it should seem correctly, understands pompaj to be solemn prayers. . . . He also remarks, that the umnoi (hymns) were either psalms of David, or some of those psalms and songs made by the primitive Christians, which are mentioned in Eusebius, H. E., v. 28."-Trollope.
for our creation, and for all the means of health, and for the various qualities of the different kinds of things, and for the changes of the seasons; and to present before Him petitions for our existing again in incorruption through faith in Him.
Pattern: Call No Man Teacher.
"Our teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who also was born for this purpose, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judaea, in the times of Tiberius Caesar; and that we reasonably worship Him, having learned that He is the Son of the true God Himself.
Pattern: Baptism by Complete Washing in Order To the Remission of Sins
Chapter LXI.-Christian Baptism.
I will also relate the manner in which we dedicated ourselves to God when we had been made new through Christ; lest, if we omit this, we seem to be unfair in the explanation we are making. As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly,
are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them.
Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water.
For Christ also said, "Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers' wombs, is manifest to all.
And how those who have sinned and repent shall escape their sins, is declared by Esaias the prophet, as I wrote above; he thus speaks: "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from your souls; learn to do well; judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow: and come and let us reason together, saith the Lord. And though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white like wool; and though they be as crimson, I will make them white as snow. But if ye refuse and rebel, the sword shall devour you: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
And for this [rite] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training;
in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge,
and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him
who chooses to be born again,
and has repented of his sins,
The name of God the Father and Lord of the universe; he who leads to the laver the person that is to be washed
calling him by this name alone.
Chapter LXV.-Administration of the Sacraments.
But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth,
by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments,
so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss.
There is then brought to the president of the brethren ("to that one of the brethren who was presiding.") bread and a cup of wine mixed with water;
Alfred T. DeGroot makes great "hay" out of the notion that the Fathers found that the "living church" gave them the authority to add water to the wine. However, we get our "fruit of the vine" not from the vine directly but from the cannery so that we can have it fresh all year. And it probably is modified by adding water.
The "fruit of the vine" was preserved unintoxicating in the form of a concentrate boiled down. This destroyed the yeast and concentrated the sugar content so that it would not ferment and then rot or turn into vinegar. "Wine" or the fruit of the vine was consumed by mixing water -- sometimes up to 20 to 1 -- to restore the concentrate to normal juice. The water was not "adding" through custom to that which Jesus had specificially designated as "the fruit of the vine." Therefore, Justin Martyr did not add a new, divisive practice just to sow discord among brethren.
and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands.
And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to genoito [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent,
those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.
The later Catholic system involved the priest handing the bread to the individual.
Chapter LXVI.-Of the Eucharist.
Pattern: The Lord's Supper:
And this food is called among us [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partakebut the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been
washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration,
and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.
For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.
Pattern: The Apostles As Authority.
For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said,
"This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body; "and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood; "and gave it to them alone.
Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.
Margninal Note: "This passage is claimed alike by Calvinists, Lutherans, and Romanists; and, indeed, the language is so inexact, that each party may plausibly maintain that their own opinion is advocated by it.[But the same might be said of the words of our Lord himself; and, if such widely separated Christians can all adopt this passage, who can be sorry?]
The expression, "the prayer of His word," or of the word we have from Him, seems to signify the prayer pronounced over the elements, in imitation of our Lord's thanksgiving before breaking the bread. [I must dissent from the opinion that the language is "inexact:"
he expresses himself naturally as one who believes it is bread, but yet not "common bread."
So Gelasius, Bishop of Rome (A.D. 490), "By the sacraments we are made partakers of the divine nature, andyet the substance and nature of bread and wine do not cease to be in them," etc. [See original in Bingham's Antiquities, book xv. cap. 5. See Chryost., Epist. ad. Caesrium, tom. iii. p. 753. Ed. Migne.) Those desirous to pursue this inquiry will find the Patristic authorities in Historia Transubstantionis Papalis, etc., Edidit F. Meyrick, Oxford, 1858.The famous tractate of Ratranin (A. D. 840) was published at Oxford, 1838, with the homily of Aelfric (A. D. 960) in a cheap edition.]
Chapter LXVII.-Weekly Worship of the Christians.
Pattern: Weekly Worship on Sunday and Lord's Supper each Week.
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied,
we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost.
Pattern: Weekly Reading of the Word -- No Preachers or Preaching.
"And on the day called Sunday, (th tou Hliou legomenh hmera.) all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place,
and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits;
then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.
then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.1Ti.4:13
Pattern: Weekly Prayer by All -- Not Clergy Led.
Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended,
Pattern: Led Prayer over the Communion.
bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen;
and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.
Most "wines" were boiled to concentrate and prevent spoiling. When consumed, up to 20 parts of water were added but at least 3 or 4. This was much like our modern "concentrated" fruit juices.
Pattern: Distribution by Deacons
bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability,147 and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each [by the deacons], and a participation of that over which thanks have been given,
Pattern: Shut-In Communion.
and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.
Pattern: giving, as Paul commanded, by the PROSPEROUS to the destitute:
And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit;
and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.
Or: And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost.
Give to the godly man, but do not help the sinner. Ecclu 12:4.
Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly; hold back his bread, and do not give it to him, lest by means of it he subdue you; for you will receive twice as much evil for all the good which you do to him. Ecclu 12: 5.
For the Most High also hates sinners and will inflict punishment on the ungodly. Ecclu 12: 6.Give to the good man, but do not help the sinner. Ecclu 12: 7. Pattern: Weekly Collection of Money only FROM the Welthy and Only FOR the Poor.
Pattern, the Lord's Day is SUNDAY.
But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead.
For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn (Chaldee 666), which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.
Pattern: Distribution by Deacons (male)
bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability,147 and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each [by the deacons], and a participation of that over which thanks have been given,
Pattern: Shut-In Communion.
and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.
And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president,who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.
147 osh dunamij autw.-a phrase over which there has been much contention, but which seems to admit of no other meaning than that given above. [No need of any "contention." Langus renders, Pro virili sud, and Grabe illustrates by reference to Apost. Const., lib. viii. cap. 12. Our own learned translators render the same phrase (cap. xiii., above) "to the utmost of our power." Some say this favours extemporary prayers, and others object. Oh! what matter either way? We all sing hymns, "according to our ability."]
Pattern: Sunday has always been the only day until daily mass was added
But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun,
having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.
Pattern: The Old Testament is used only by the Ignorant for faith and practice.
Alexander Campbell is ridiculed because he "invented" the notion that the Old Testament should not be used for Christian faith and worship. However, it is a fact that all of the consulted "fathers" agree with Campbell and disagree with those who would add a priestly clergy and levitical musical worship teams based on the Law of Moses under the Monarchy.
Why Justin Martyr and others Did Not Practice Old Testament Rituals
Dialogue of Justin Philosopher and Martyr, with Trypho, a Jew
Chapter XVIII.-Christians Would Observe the Law, If They Did Not Know Why It Was Instituted.
"For since you have read, O Trypho, as you yourself admitted, the doctrines taught by our Saviour, I do not think that I have done foolishly in adding some short utterances of His to the prophetic statements. Wash therefore, and be now clean, and put away iniquity from your souls, as God bids you be washed in this laver, and be circumcised with the true circumcision.
For we too would observe the fleshly circumcision, and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts,
if we did not know for what reason they were enjoined you,-
namely, on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts.
Pattern: Instrumental Music as Wordship is Condemned.
In a true understanding of Amos' condemnation of Instrumental Music as worship tools for a Spirit God, Justin translates:
- who applaud at the sound of the musical instruments;
- they reckon them as stable,
- and not as fleeting,
who drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments, but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Wherefore now they shall be captives, among the first of the nobles who are carried away; and the house of evil-doers shall be removed, and the neighing of horses shall be taken away from Ephraim.' ( Amos v. 18 to end, vi. 1-7.) And again by Jeremiah:
`Collect your flesh, and sacrifices, and eat: for concerning neither sacrifices nor libations did I command your fathers in the day in which I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt.' Jer. vii. 21f.
For the rest of the reasons Old Testament worship is rejected by those not ignorant Click Here.
Alfred T. DeGroot in The Restoration Principle denounces churches of Christ as sects for defending the non-introduction of instrumental music because the church Fathers did not suggest the need for a Restoration Movement. We believe that Justin Martyr has proven DeGroot wrong.
Kenneth Sublett Comments Welcome
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