Bible Thoughts

July 15, 2001

The commands of the New Testament are to be followed in all areas of worship. No decision can be made on the basis of what one likes or dislikes, but what God approves. If a scripture cannot be produced to justify a religious practice, that practice is wrong, not meeting the approval of God. The only revelation of God’s will that is in force presently is the New Testament of Jesus Christ. We must have authority from that book in order to participate in any activity in the public assemblies of God’s church. Always remember: what pleases and satisfies men does not always satisfy God.

As an example, there is no passage in the New Testament that authorizes the singing of praises to God in the assembly while using a mechanical instrument of music. This, in itself, is a valid argument against such a practice.

The following scriptures specify what God approves in regard to music in the Lord’s church:

“Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”(Ephesians 5:29).

Note: Each one is to participate(one to another)and the melody is from the heart and not from a mechanical device. In fact, the command is for each one to sing. If such includes an instrument, each must have one.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God”(Colossians 3:17).

Note: You can only admonish with words. Hence: psalms, hymns, and songs are what one sings, not plays. In this passage as the previous, he specifies singing. The source of the music is in the heart of a person, not in a mechanical instrument. In this passage as in the previous, what is to occur is “admonishing one another.” That cannot be done with an instrument.

“But after midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God...”(Acts 16:25).

Note: This passage is a third time after the day of Pentecost that singing is mentioned. Hence, there is a complete absence in the will of Christ for a congregation to use organs, pianos, guitars, or any other mechanical instrument in worship. When such occurs, the worshippers are doing so in vain(Matthew 15:9) and have gone beyond the teaching of Christ’s New Testament. Remember that John said, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God...”(II John 9).

In all matters of faith and practice, let each of us abide in the doctrine of Christ and avoid any departure from the pattern set forth by the Son of God. Do not fail to recognize that what pleases men does not always please God. Consider: Is my appearance in public a credit to me as a Christian? What would Christ think if I met him in the shopping mall? Would my apparel be modest(I Timothy 2:9)? Men as well as women can be included.

Humans have a tendency to complicate matters. The crafty of the world can prey upon those who are humble disciples through the corruption of what the Lord reveals in His word. Paul warns those brethren in Corinth of the inherent danger of listening to those who, through their “craftifness” would corrupt the mind of the disciple. Even those who are among Christians can be guilty.

Paul understood the problem at Corinth because he knew about people. Finding it necessary to warn of the dangers of listening to those who corrupted the truth, he warned that if one preached what was not taught by the apostles, he is not to be accepted. The teaching of Christ is to be “the simplicity and the purity” of the truth as found in his gospel.

There are golden tongued orators that can capture one’s attention because of their mannerisms. Folks will listen and go away thinking, “What a wonderful presentation. He was such a great speaker.” But what did he say? The ability to use correct English does not make one speak the truth. The apostle said of himself, “But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge...”(II Corinthians 9:6). His single interest was presenting the gospel so that others could understand the message. If one cannot understand what is being said, how can they learn?

Over the years, the preachers of the gospel of Christ have emphasized what has been called, “Book, chapter and verse preaching.” Such still deserves our attention. It is the responsibility of the preacher to make sure that what is taught can be found in the scriptures and applied to the lives of those who listen. Give us more Pauls who will speak the truth in a manner that enables others to learn the truth.

Any person who desires to be pleasing to God must be willing to change. The alien, that is, one who has never been a Christian must renounce the sins that he/she has committed and resolve to live a life that pleases Jesus Christ. The opportunity for forgiveness is offered by the graciousness of God. The Lord could have destroyed mankind for the disobedience in the Garden of Eden, but he did not. His longsuffering and kindness extended to Adam and Eve. The same God is willing to extend to all of mankind the opportunity to renounce sin and become obedient to Christ's commands. In fact, no one can be acceptable to Jehovah who is not willing to give up a life of sin and resolve to live a life of righteousness.