Worship

The ideal congregation maintains faithfulness in doctrine, worship, and life. John, generally regarded as the apostle of love, commented forcefully upon each of these.

Regarding doctrine, he said, “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (2 John 1:9a). The one who progresses beyond the authoritative and scriptural boundary line of the inspired Word of God and thereby no longer resides in the teaching whose origin is Christ — this is the very one whose fellowship and unity with God, the Father, has been broken.

Regarding worship, John said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Accordingly, our worship of God, the Father, must be in the proper attitude (in spirit) and in harmony with revealed truth (in truth). Worship in truth but not in spirit degrades into mere ceremonialism and formalism while worship in spirit but not in truth degrades into mere emotionalism.

Regarding life, John said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b). If we truly expect everlasting spiritual life as a crown, then may our faithfulness in life be unto death, that is, until we die and be that which, if necessary, brings about our untimely death.

Yes, the people of God maintain faithfulness in doctrine, worship, and life. To do otherwise constitutes a course which robs us of our present spiritual security and our future spiritual inheritance. May we always have the courage to seek out the Lord’s will in all matters wherein he has spoken and the fortitude to live and teach accordingly.

The ideal congregation concerns itself with the physical and spiritual needs of others. The apostle Paul said, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). We are thus commended to extend acts of moral excellence to the mass of society, with a special obligation unto members of the Lord‘s church (ref. 1 Tim. 3:15). In so doing, let us be wise to avoid the extreme of failing to be good stewards of our possessions (1 Cor. 4:2) as we actively employ a benevolent spirit both individually and congregationally. May the people in our community know us as a giving, caring people, and may they witness this in our daily life.

Someone once said, “People do not care how much we know until they know how much we care.” This old proverb has been confirmed in church growth studies and in everyday life. Genuine church growth is rooted in great sacrificial love for others. The heavenly Father has set the example for us (John 3:16; Eph. 5:1). Therefore, as we evidence our concern for the physical well-being of our friends, neighbors, and brethren, let us also “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15) and “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;” (Gal. 6:1). May we not only be spiritually-minded as a child of God (ref. Rom. 8:6) but may we also so employ this righteous disposition so that others who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be truly filled (ref. Matt. 5:6) because we dared to exercise this spirit in our personal relationship with them. May the Lord bless each of us this week as we serve our Risen Savior.

Everyone has questions about the teachings of God from time to time. Maybe this question is one that you have been pondering.

First off, the biblical teaching concerning music in the New Testament church is governed by the New Testament and not by the Old Testament. Examples of this truth are found throughout New Testament scripture (1 Co. 9:22-27; Rom. 7:1-4; Gal. 3:23-26; Heb. 7:11-14; 8:7-13; 10:4).

In Ephesian 5:19, th kardia [the heart] is the direct object of psallo [making melody; strumming, plucking] illustrating that this passage specifically names the instrument to be strummed. Therefore, all other instruments are excluded by the exclusionary force of specific terminology. However, lets say that one tried to use this verse as the reason they use mechanical instruments in worship. Well according to this verse, that would mean that only the few people “strumming or plucking” their instruments would be worshiping God. If everyone else in the congregation wanted to worship they would have to bring their instrument so they could play along… if not then they are not worshiping God and therefore they are not obeying the command to worship!

Biblical evidence illustrates when biblical silence is permissive (giving permission) or prohibitive ( forbidding ). Biblical silence is permissive when the command expressed is generic in connection with the action commanded. For example, Mark 16:15 says, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” How do we “go” into all the world… boat, plane, by foot, on a donkey.. God doesn’t care. Biblical silence is prohibitive when the command expressed is specific in connection with the action commanded. For example, Mark 16:16 says one verse later, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.…” Just because God did not say specifically.. “Those who disbelieved [and has not been baptized] shall be condemned” It doesn’t matter. Because He didn’t have to. He said what a person needs to do to be saved.. therefore no one has the right to do any different. Also, why would a person who doesn’t believe think anything of the baptism part of the statement? If they don’t believe, they would not go on to be baptized. If they do believe, baptism was the next step towards salvation. Look at another (one of many) example of this Biblical silence point:

– In Hebrews 7:11-14 the Hebrews writer is making the point that Jesus being our priest required a change in the law. Why? Hebrews 7:14 gives us the answer: “For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” (NKJV). The tribe of Levi was the priestly tribe under the Old Covenant; this was specifically ordered by God (Numbers 1:49-52). When God specified the Levites he therefore automatically excluded the other tribes. God didn’t have to list out all of the tribes that were not able to be the priestly tribe.. All He had to do was declare which one was the priestly tribe.

Silence was prohibitive because the charge was specific. Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, was prohibited from being a priest under the Old Covenant. The KIND of music for worship in the New Testament church has been specifically prescribed: singing [Eph. 5:19]. Therefore, this specificity excludes any and all other kinds of music, including mechanical instrumental music, in the worship of the church.

Everything we do [religiously] must be stamped with the authority that comes from the Father through Christ [Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11]. Since the mechanical instrument is not seen in the terminology of Eph. 5:19 then what authoritative reference can one give to establish scriptural authority for the including mechanical instruments in the worship of the New Testament church?

Binding examples involving New Testament worship are supported by a background command.

(a) Prayer: Example, 1 Co. 14:14-17; command, 1 Th. 5:17

(b) Free-will offering: Example, 2 Co. 8 – 9; command, 1 Co. 16:1-2

(d) Congregational singing: Example, 1 Co. 14:15-28; command, Col. 3:16 and Eph. 5:19

(e) Playing a mechanical instrument: Example? Any form of authority?

Those worshipping with the mechanical instrument of music in the Christian Age are caught in a dilemma of faith and judgment. If the kind of music is a matter of faith, then one must have scriptural authority for its practice. The authority required is totally absent from the New Testament. If the kind of music is a matter of personal judgment and opinion, then one must not practice that which causes unnecessary division (Rom. 14; Eph. 4:3).

The practice of using the mechanical instrument in Christian worship is not of apostolic origin. It was first introduced into Christian worship ca. 670 A.D. Since we are required to reject that which is not of apostolic origin [Gal. 1:6-9], then the use of the mechanical instrument in Christian worship must be rejected. Ref. Acts 2:42

There are significant biblical omissions related to the use of mechanical instruments in Christian worship.

(a) It is never authorized.

(b) No apostle ever sanctioned it.

(d) No apostle ever practiced it.

(e) No approved example of it can be found.

(f) No biblical inference of it can be found.

(g) No New Testament passage records it.

In answering this question my intention is to help any God-fearing individuals who are seeking to live by His commandments. In no way am I trying to interject my personal thoughts or feelings into this article. The only proper way for any of us to follow God is to live by His Word, not our own. Due to this fact, I have done my very best to present what God’s Word has to say on the subject, but I am an imperfect man and by no means infallible. Don’t just take my word, or anyone else’s word, for it, study God’s Word and look at what He says and then make your conclusion.

The Ideal Congregation (Pt. 7)

Instrumental Music in Worship – What does the Bible say?