Anti-Instrument ... the instruments were never used in in Christian worship until late in the
7th century.
Response ... a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of the apostle John, writes ; " as the Spirit
urges those from all the earth who recognize this salutary mystery, the sufferings of Christ, through which He saved them,
to sing and play the harp continually. " ... Justin Martyr A.D. 155
And again in A.D. 160 Lucian wrote ... " it is impossible to psallein without a lyre. "
Many who look to ( church history ) to find support for their Anti-Instrument theology may soon
realize that the post-apostolic church did things that many Anti-Instrument followers today would never agree with ; such
as ...
Now concerning ( baptism ), baptize as follows: baptize in the name of the Father and Son and
of the Holy Spirit, in ( running water ). But if you have no running water, then baptize in some other water; and if you are
not able to baptize in cold water, then do so in warm. But if you have ( neither ), then ( pour water on the head three
times ), in the name of the Father , Son , and Holy Spirit. And before the baptism, let the one baptizing and the one to be
baptized ( fast ), as well as any others who are able. Also, you must instruct the one who is to be baptized to ( fast
for one or two days beforehand )... The Didache or The Teaching of The Twelve Apostles ... Early Christianity from A.D. 70
- 135.
Regardless of what one finds or does not find in historical records, the fact is musical instruments
are revealed in the Bible, used in worship, and were not abolished by the New Testament writers.
Anti-Instrument ... we are not under the old testament today since it was nailed to
the cross ; Colossians 2: 14 - 17
Response ... these verses are simply ripped from their context ; note what was nailed to the cross
; " having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us, having nailed it to the
cross, so let no one judge you in - food, drink, festival, new moon, or Sabbaths - Colossians 2: 14 - 17 - not a word about
musical instruments.
Anti-Instrument ... to justify musical instruments by the old testament is to be severed from Christ
and fall from grace - Galatians 5: 4
Response ... the letter of Galatians was written by Paul because some were teaching that in order
to be ( saved - justified ) one must keep the law of - circumcision, days, months, seasons and years - again not a word about
musical instruments - Galatians 2:14-16 ... 3:11-13
...4:9-11 ... 5:1-4 ... 6:13-15 ... this was also something Paul had to deal with in Acts 15:1-2
ff
The new testament is very clear that circumcision, religious festivals, sacrifices, and sabbaths
are no longer binding. But praising God with musical instruments was never abolished by the new testament writers.
Praising God with musical instruments was ...
commanded by God - 2 Chronicles 29:25
inspired by the Holy Spirit - Psalm 150
used on earth and in heaven - Revelation 5:8-9 ... 14:2-3 ... 15:2-3
And Jesus taught ... " thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven " ... Matthew 6:10
Heart Worship ... the new testament teaches Christians to sing and make melody or music in your heart
to the Lord - Colossians 3:16 - Ephesians 5:19
Note these translations of Ephesians 5:19 ...
and with your hearts sing and play music to the Lord - BECK
sing and make music in your hearts - TCNT
singing and striking the strings with your heart unto the Lord - RHM
These scriptures were not written to teach Christians to sing without musical instruments; they were
written to teach Christians to sing songs of praise and to sing them from their heart.
Some people 2000 years ago were teaching ... " unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved " -
Acts 15:1-5 ff
Today some people are teaching that ... " unless you sing songs of praise to God without musical
instruments you are sinning and must repent in order to keep your salvation in Christ "
Paul had this to say about those people 2000 years ago ...
they were preaching another gospel
they were perverting the gospel
they should be accursed
they had fallen from grace
Read ... Galatians 1:6-9 ... 2:14-16 ... 5:19-24
unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved
unless you sing without musical instruments you cannot be saved
Sounds familiar doesn't it ?
The old testament scriptures are still useful for - learning , teaching , and making one
wise ... Romans 15:4 ... 2 Timothy 3:15-16
The new testament seems to make it clear that it is possible for Christians to be one without being
uniform in customs. That the Jewish believers can still practice circumcision , observe the festivals , and keep the
law. That the Gentile believers do not have to do so , since these things have nothing to do with the gift of salvation found
in Jesus. Please read ... ACTS 21:18-26
Now read ... Acts 15:1-31 ; 16:3 ; 18:18 ... Romans 14:1-6
These things are fine for you Jewish believers but don't make the law and its customs binding on
the Gentile believers; don't make them necessary for salvation.
Question ... was it the custom of the Jews to praise God with musical instruments?
Question ... since the new testament makes it clear that the Jewish believers still practiced their
customs, do you think they continued to obey Psalm 150?
The new testament writers did not demand that the Gentile belivers act like Jews; and it seems clear
that they did not demand the Jewish believers to act like Gentiles.
Anti-Instrument ... the new testament is silent on using musical instruments and to use them is adding
to God's word which is sinful.
Response ... the new testament is not silent and those who use this argument often pick-and-choose
where they apply it.
Example ... the context of - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 - teaches that
married women are to ask their husbands at home if they wish to learn about something.
Those who teach that using musical instruments are sinful because the new testament is silent , do
not use the same silent argument here. According to their silence argument, married women could not ask the preacher, elders,
or deacons. They must ask their husbands at home, and not at church.
Example ... Lords Supper ... the Supper was observed in the Evening
at Night ; see - Matt. 26:20-28 ; I Cor. 11:23-27 ; since the NT is silent on observing the Lords Supper
in the morning , is it a sin to do so ?
Example ... how does the silent argument apply to - Hebrews 3:13 - daily
exhortation - and - Acts 2:46 - daily meetings ?
More examples could be given that would expose this pick-and-choose interpretation,
that promotes tradition over the word of God...Mark 7:6-13
It has been my experience that when one challenges a person who teaches this ( law of silence or
pattern interpretation ) to simply - think or be consistent - one quickly experiences a person who will either ( blow up or
clam up ). That's because their rules of interpretaion collapses under careful examination. Exposed is their very inconsistent
- legalism and patternism - for all to see.
Their legalism and patternism is so unrealistic they must seek loopholes to escape its maze; and
if there is something which they themselves choose to do, which contradicts their pattern interpretation, then that something
is declared to be expedient.
Holy Scriptures ... using the old testament scriptures a person can learn about salvation in Christ,
moral instruction, doctrine, and defense of the truth ; according to Paul ... 2 Timothy 3:14-17
I do not believe that the new testament writers considered the old testament nailed to the
cross. Using circumcision and other external rules to be justified (saved) was nailed to the cross, but the new testament
writers practiced what they preached; the old testament is (useful) when used correctly.
Please read ... 1 Timothy 1:8 ... Romans 15:3-4
The New Testament writers quote the Old Testament over 200 times to teach
and defend the faith. They refer to the Old Testament over 600 times.
Praising God with musical instruments was not nailed to the cross or abolished according
to the new testament writers.
The N.T. writers are clear ( not silent ) on what is ( no longer ) binding ; such as ...
Circumcision , Sacrifices, Food Laws, Days-Times-Seasons, etc.
Romans 14:1-6 , Galatians 4:9-11, 6:15 , Colossians 2:16-17
I do not believe that God is ( silent ) on what pleases Him , and I do not believe God is ( silent
) on what does not please Him.
Everyone who ( hears my words ) and obeys them ; When Jesus finished ( saying ) these things,
the people were amazed at His ( teaching ) ... Matthew 7:24-28
The Goal of Redemption and the use of Musical Instruments ...
The Goal of Redemption is to restore God's Image of love and holiness
in mankind.... One thing I have learned: God made people good. But people have found all kind of ways to be bad...Ecclesiastes
7:29 - New Century Version.
We were created to be like God ... And God said, Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness ; So God created man in His own image... Genesis 1:26-27.
Restoring the divine image through Christ ... to be conformed to the
image of His Son; that you may be partakers of the divine nature...Romans 8:29 ... 2 Peter 1:4.
Christ is the exact image of God ... 2 Corinthians 4:4 ... Colossians
1:15
Which is an image of Holiness and Love ... 1 Peter 1:15-16 ... 1
John 4:7-8
The old man ( Adam ) must be put off ; The new man ( Christ ) must be put on ... Ephesians 4:17-24
... Colossians 3:5-17.
This is the goal of redemption ... Faith + Love + Holiness = Eternal Life.
Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this; caring for orphans and widows who
need help ( Love ) ; and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence ( Holiness
) ... James 1:27
The writers of the New Testament make it ( clear ) , the Works of the Flesh , ( violate
) - Faith, Love and Holiness - and are sinful - note this in Galatians 5:19-21 and
Revelation 22:14-15.
Note how the - fruit of the Spirit - promotes Love and Holiness - read Galatians 5:22-24
To praise God with musical instruments does not ( violate ) - faith, love, or
holiness.
This is the goal of redemption, to make us like Christ, who is the exact image
of God, to restore the divine image of Love and Holiness.
Unfortunately, some in the Church of Christ seem to think that not using musical instruments
is part of the goal of redemption.
Why do you follow external rules, man-made commands; they may seem to be wise, but are only part
of a man-made religion; but they do nothing to control the desires of the sinful self; they do not promote love and holiness
... read Colossians 3:20-23
The "law of silence" hermeneutic has been used to exclude multiple cups during communion, fellowship
halls, musical instruments, located preachers, and even more ; all the so called "proof-texts" used to support this method
of interpretation have been taken out of context, twisted, distorted, and misapplied.
The End
