Comments From Others - Can musical instruments be used in Church services?


COMMENT#1:

The New Testament does not say anything about wearing pants or dresses... so you better shed them and wear a cloke and a coat or vest... maybe a turbin for your head too. The New Testament does not say anything about driving a car to church ... so you better start walking ... just like the disciples and Yeshua-bar-Joseph (Jesus) did. I don't think that paper money and checks were mentioned in the New Testament either... so you better keep those instruments of sin at home and tell your pastor... sorry but I'll have to give you a tithe of something like a batch of vegetables or some other groceries. Would want to do something not mentioned in the New Covenant?

Okay... put back the nice shoes and get some sandals... take off the watch and break out a sun dial... ditch the glasses and pray for a miracle... stop speaking American English and learn Aramaic or at least Hebrew or Greek and start singing some real old chants...

I hope you are starting to get my point. Who in your church's history started this nonsense of not playing musical instruments in church? It is what is in your HEART that God looks at ... NOT your actions. God loves innovation and beauty. God loves to hear us make EVERY loving noise because he knows that it comes from our hearts.

Yeshua once told a parable about a lost son. As his story went, after living a sinful life, spending his inheritance, he returned to the father (God?) and he was received with open arms. The father had a large feast and there was "music and dancing" (Luke 15:25). Yeshua was always alluding to people in his parables as being another person or entity (e.g.: The Father (Yahwey) or us the sinners). This passage would give one to ponder that the banquet is that Heavenly feast and the father is our LORD.

We are either the lost son or the dumb brat son who suddenly felt slighted by his father and refused to come to the dinner because he was faithful to DAD while his brother was a big time looser (wah wah wah).

Remember... it is what is in our Heart that the Father looks at. Sure, you could carry this whole "it ain't in the New Testament" thing to the "inth" but, to what end?

What does it profit a person if they loose the chance to play a beautiful musical instrument because of the talent God has given them and go to church singing without musical instruments and without God in their HEART? MAKE A JOYFULL NOISE UNTO THE LORD!

I hope God can change the heart of the confused. Please read the whole bible. Yeshua told us in Matthew 5:17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Our Lord does not condemn the Old Testament prophets and teachings but to uphold them.

Please also remember to study how the "Bible" came about and its complete history and origins.

 

CLARIFICATION#1:

Well you gave me many things to answer in your comment.

Your Comment: "The New Testament does not say anything about wearing pants or dresses... so you better shed them and wear a cloke and a coat or vest... maybe a turbin for your head too. The New Testament does not say anything about driving a car to church ... so you better start walking ... just like the disciples and Yeshua-bar-Joseph (Jesus) did."

I'm not sure what your point is here. Are you saying if the bible does not say something then it's all right to do it? We should respect the silence of the scriptures. 

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that hear the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

In most cases when using the term " The New Testament does not say anything about not doing something" there are other verses that will back up what the New Testament says to do.

Your comment: "The New Testament does not say anything about wearing pants or dresses"

The bible does say we must dress modestly. I think we can all agree that modest dress can be achieved by wearing pants and dresses.

Now I know the reason you said these things is because I said the New Testament does not authorize the use of instrumental music. I assume by your comment you are saying, "the bible doesn't say not to use them". So lets look at what the New Testament does say about this. 

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. 

Your question: "Who in your church's history started this nonsense of not playing musical instruments in church?” 

The answer is  NOBODY; we never had music in the church I attend. The church I attend follow the doctrine taught on the day of Pentecost when the apostle preached to the Jew's. The real question here should have been "Who in history started the nonsense of playing music in church?" Now to that question I can answer.

From: American Encyclopedia, Volume 12, p. 688

Christians did not use instrumental music from the time of the apostles until 670 AD when organs were first introduced sparingly and with great opposition. The Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches split in 1033 AD in part over instrumental music. The Orthodox church, even today, has never used instruments. No Protestant church used instruments before the 1700's. "Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe about 670 but the earliest trustworthy account is that of one sent as a present by the Greek emperor Constantine Copronymus to Pepin, king of Franks in 755 AD."

The first churches which assembled in Solomon's porch and in houses and public places had no instruments. The commandments and examples given to us were to sing, not to play. There is no example or command giving us authority to use them. Nowhere in the New Testament does God authorize the uses of anything to make a cheerful noise with except or voices. Now I love music as much as the next guy, but not in service to God. The reference you gave about the father rejoicing on the return of his son does mention music and dancing, but not as an example for worship. The Old Testament does give command to use certain types of instruments and who were to play them.  

2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

I hope you don't think we are still under the Old Law and if we were we would need someone from the family of Levites to play the instruments. I think you are confused about the Old Law.

Your comment: "Please read the whole bible. Yeshua told us in Matthew 5:17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Our Lord does not condemn the Old Testament prophets and teachings but to uphold them. Please also remember to study how the "Bible" came about and its complete history and origins."

This makes me think you are saying we are still under the Old Law. Christ did fulfill (or finish) the Old Law and now we have a New Law with new commandment and examples.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Your comment:  "It is what is in your HEART that God looks at ... NOT your actions."

I have to disagree with you!

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Your comment: "God loves innovation and beauty."

Please send me book, chapter and verse on this. In fact let me give you two verses.

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Your comment: "God loves to hear us make EVERY loving noise because he knows that it comes from our hearts."

Again, please send me book, chapter and verse on this. In fact this seems to have come from your own wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

This verse is why I don't give my own wisdom about what we are to do or even to answer your question with my words. I have given you book chapter and verse to your comments so that they are from God and not me. Let me close with this. Can you condemn us for not having musical instruments? Can you condemn Paul who while in prison where we know there were no musical instruments, sang praises to God?

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Did the apostle carry musical instruments around with them when they traveled to start new churches. The bottom line is you want musical instruments not God. God hated idols because man was worshiping a man made image. How much different is it to worship God with a man made musical instrument instead of our God made voices.

Psalms 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
Isaiah 2:8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

Why gamble with your soul by having something not needed?

Thank you for your comments.

  END OF COMMENTS FOR COMMENT #1:  


REPLY TO CLARIFICATION#1:

You did not even give what I said on your web site any thought, did you?

When in the course of history has the middle ages been thought of as enlightenment? Instruments! Our own voices are instruments. God gave us the ability to build musical instruments. He gives certain of us the ability to play beautiful and rapturous sounds that send chills up the spine and give us wonder to the glory of a God who new all the instruments before he even created man and woman and all the universe.

I think it is a shame not to delight our Father with the sounds of the music that a voice can never make. Well, at least I try to let you see it another way. Sorry about my posting on your web site.

I didn't mean to be so pushy. God Bless you in whatever way you choose to praise God.

 

CLARIFICATION TO REPLY:

To answer your question, yes I have given what you said on our web site much thought. We at the Rivermont church of Christ fight hard to defeat the philosophy of men everyday.

 Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

  See it's the philosophy of man that thinks God loves the sound of man made instruments. It's a human emotion from people who have been around the instrumental music that say it's glorious.

Personally I enjoy the sound of singing and I think an organ would take away from the beauty of my brethren's voices. Plus not to mention the fact that only one person is playing the instrument when the rest of the group is not.

You mention God gave us the ability to build musical instruments; He also gave the Israelites the ability to build idols. I really don't think I'll ever be able to convince you that adding something to the written word is wrong.

 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

You talk about me not giving what you said any thought, did you consider that maybe you should give some though on what I pointed out in the history books. Music was not used until over 600 years after the church was established. If that’s not adding to the apostles doctrine than I don't know what is. You can't possible know what God loves unless the bible point blank tells you what He loves. That's why you must respect the silence of the scriptures and worship only within the confinements of the new law that He gave us. A musical instrument is a tradition of man because it did not exist in the original New Testament churches. There are so many scriptures warning us not to follow the tradition of men.

Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
 1 Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that hearth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

You see it's not just the musical instrument, I don't even know what denomination you are associated with and yet, I know because you have a musical instrument in your services that you most likely have other man made traditions. I'm guessing you do not take the Lords Supper every Sunday as commanded but instead have a man-regulated time to take the Lord Supper.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Read the above scripture and answer this. How many weeks have a first day? Also how often do you collect money? Every Sunday. Both verses are worded the same.

1Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

I'm guessing your church has common meals offered in or on the church property.

1 Corinthians 11:22 What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.  
1 Corinthians 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

I'm guessing your preacher is called reverend or some titled name or maybe he wears some fancy robe.

Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

I could go on and on about how most churches add to their worship because of the emotions or desires of men. Look at the majority of churches and how they conduct their services and then look at how churches of Christ conduct their services. Do you want to be numbered with the majority or the minority?

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that lead to destruction, and many there be which go in there at :14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which lead unto life, and few there be that find it.

Please don't get offended by what this letter is telling you, but rather open your eyes and see the truth from a heart that gives God full authority in everything you do in serving Him. Not all churches are right with God.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. :22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? :23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

In the scripture above Jesus is talking to people who are serving Him (Lord Lord). He is talking to religious people. What does He tell us about the devil?

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. :15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Do you think Satan's ministers of righteousness know that they are doing anything wrong? They are just adding small things to Gods word. It's just small things, which are from the traditions of men. This is how the devil works. He doesn't need something big to deceive you. How small a thing does it take to go against God? How about Uzzah who just placed his hand on the ark of covenant to steady it, and God killed him!

2 Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen shook it. :7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

You know the real reason behind Uzzah’s death was because someone said “hay it would be better to carry this ark on a cart and let an ox do the work instead of using the four rings on the side”. You see a small thing, "we still wouldn't be touching it on a cart, and I know God would be proud of us for using our brain in thinking of something so smart. He gave us this talent to figure out a better way to carry the ark".

Exodus 37:5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

You see it's the small thing that the devil can get away with. Don't wait until you die and find out how smart the devil was. Take a step back from the church you are attending now and compare it with how the first churches served God. Visit a church of Christ and see if you can recognize the resemblance between it and the doctrines given by the Apostle's.

Thank you for your comments,

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
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