Music Issues There are many misunderstandings about instrumental music in worship.

Subway Rule Order a sandwich at Subway – They only use the bread, cheese, meat, condiments that you ask for. They do not add other things that you did not request. Some say, “The Bible does not condemn instrumental music in worship.”

Subway Rule Hebrews 7: For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

Subway Rule Leviticus 10:1-2 1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Noah – Gopher wood – nothing else is acceptable Many other examples – God is often sepcific

In Heaven Revelation 14:2-3 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.

In Heaven Also in heaven  Horses, frogs, angels, babies  John the baptizer – Matthew 11:11 "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  Many OT faithful – Abrahan, Moses, David There may be harps in heaven. This does not mean they are acceptable in the church.

Tuning fork (pitch pipe) Also – song books, PA system, projector The issue is  Is this an aid to obey the command?  Is this an addition or change of the command? Most commands of God allow for choices about how the command is carried out Noah – build ark – saw, hammer = aids

Instruments in O T David used instruments in worship True – But remember:  He also offered animal sacrifices  He also burned incense  He also worshipped on Saturday David did NOT:  Observe the communion  Worship on Sunday

Special Music will draw a crowd So will football games So will belly dancers So will free food So will alcohol, drugs, strippers, etc. The issue is not draw a crowd The issue is what God requires

This is a progressive age Argument: The NT is over 2,000 years old and is outdated, not modern 2 John 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. How does one decide which commands we can ignore because they are old?

It is just an aid Purpose of singing must be observed  Teach  Admonish  Speaking to one another  A piano can not do any of the above Is there a difference in “sing” and “play”? Walk – use a cane – still walking Add a piano and the vocal singing dies

Why fuss over a small matter? Division has resulted all over the world when the instrument is introduced God hates division, wants unity When I taught this topic on the radio – I would get more mail and phone calls than any other topic

You are narrow minded Truth is narrow  Math, science, history, spelling  In God's commands Matthew 7: "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

What about the Greek word? The Greek word (psallo)  Origin – to pluck, twang, twitch  Used of plucking feathers from a chicken  Used of plucking a hair from our head  Used of plucking a chalk line  Used of plucking a stringed instrument This is a verb (word of action) It does not include the thing plucked.

What about the Greek word? What is to be plucked? Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody (psallo) 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 (psallo) with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

What does God require? God requires us to worship as He directs  Don't add to it  Don't take from it God gives specific commands  Do exactly what is written God gives generic commands  We are free to choose the method of carrying out these commands

What does God require? These rules apply to more than music in worship The same principles apply to:  Salvation  Day of worship  Communion  Giving  Baptism