“…the churches of Christ salute you…” Romans 16:16 The Lord’s Church “…the churches of Christ salute you…” Romans 16:16

“…the churches of Christ salute you…” Romans 16:16 The Lord’s Church “…the churches of Christ salute you…” Romans 16:16 The Music of the Church

You Don’t Have Music? In our denominationally religious world (another concept we will explore in future), the lack of instruments of music in the Lord’s church seems odd. The religions of the modern age (within the last 1300 years) have gotten used to their instruments and really modern churches have CENTERED the worship on it. After Christ’s death, however, no churches used these for almost 700 years!

The Main Issue Modern religions assume that God does not care HOW we worship, as long as we worship God alone (fallacy). Still, there are many confused by how the Old Testament could be so ripe with instruments of worship, while the New Testament literally has no such references. God’s authority must be at the root of all things.

I Do What I Want

Do What God Wants In the Old Testament, there was not WANT for specifics about musical worship (Numbers 10:1-10). There is no doubt that instruments played a vital role in ancient worship practices to God. There is also no doubt that other nations used instruments in their worship, but none of these allowances were made in Jewish worship; they were specifically avoided, in fact.

What Did David Do? Modernly, the instrument of music used in worship to God is erroneously founded in the belief that David acted of his own volition. 1 Chronicles 28, however, demands that David followed strict guidelines given by God. After David, Hezekiah, Jehoida, Josiah, Zerubbabel, and even Nehemiah acted as RESTORERS, not INDULGERS, strongly evidenced in 2 Chronicles 29:25-29.

What Must We Do? Restore Old Testament musical worship in New Testament worship? God forbid! Hebrews 7-9, among numerous New Testament teachings compel us to understand the Old Law is done away; changed through Jesus, the Son of God and his everlasting covenant. We must, then, diligently search the New Testament for our authority regarding worship of God.

No Authority Exists! Here is the difficult point for the entertainment-minded current generation of “worshipers.” The New Testament authorizes us to worship God still, but gives NO command or example by which such is to include instrumental music. To accentuate this point, we have SILENCE on the matter in Romans / 1 Corinthians 12.

Study The Matter The Old Testament was merely the “shadow” of the greater, fulfilled things to come in the New Testament covenant under the Messiah and Christ, Jesus (Hebrews 10). We must PRACTICE THAT FREEDOM (Galatians 3-5)! That freedom can be summed up in Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians (5:19 / 3:16, respectively).

Our Instruments: Mouth & Heart Listen to the Invitation of the Lord: Isaiah 55; Matthew 11:28-30. Believe the gospel of Christ: John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:10 Repent or turn from your sins: Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Confess your faith in Christ: Matt 10:32-33; Rom 10:9-10 Be immersed in water: Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Live in obedient faith: 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10

“…the churches of Christ salute you…” Romans 16:16 The Lord’s Church “…the churches of Christ salute you…” Romans 16:16