The Use of Instrumental Music Today in the Light of New Testament Doctrine
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Introduction:
Introduction:
1. When addressing the issue of the use of instrumental music today in the light of New Testament doctrine.
1. When addressing the issue of the use of instrumental music today in the light of New Testament doctrine.
A. The first thing that needs to be addressed is the fact that God has never left His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
A. The first thing that needs to be addressed is the fact that God has never left His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
1. From the time of Adam and Eve to the present, man’s decision making has been questionable.
1. From the time of Adam and Eve to the present, man’s decision making has been questionable.
A. If man is left to himself and his won devices with a question that must be answered correctly, it is possible he will make the wrong decision.
A. If man is left to himself and his won devices with a question that must be answered correctly, it is possible he will make the wrong decision.
B. Jesus said in John 4:24.
B. Jesus said in John 4:24.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
1. So, if we are left with a question as to whether instrumental music is acceptable in worship to God in the light of New Testament doctrine, the answer must come from the truth.
1. So, if we are left with a question as to whether instrumental music is acceptable in worship to God in the light of New Testament doctrine, the answer must come from the truth.
A. God’s Word is the only source of truth that is not fallible.
A. God’s Word is the only source of truth that is not fallible.
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
C. If mankind is fallible and because of this susceptible to sin, then his decision making would not always lead to the truth.
C. If mankind is fallible and because of this susceptible to sin, then his decision making would not always lead to the truth.
1. Mankind is fallible and susceptible to sin.
1. Mankind is fallible and susceptible to sin.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
2. God is not fallible nor susceptible to sin.
2. God is not fallible nor susceptible to sin.
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
3. Therefore, in any decision-making, man is dependent upon God.
3. Therefore, in any decision-making, man is dependent upon God.
D. So, then, the answer to whether instrumental music is acceptable to God in His worship must then come for God’s truth, which is His Word.
D. So, then, the answer to whether instrumental music is acceptable to God in His worship must then come for God’s truth, which is His Word.
1. Examples of people who have strayed from this concept are all throughout the Bible.
1. Examples of people who have strayed from this concept are all throughout the Bible.
A. These examples also show that God has never left His worship up to the decision making of men.
A. These examples also show that God has never left His worship up to the decision making of men.
Body:
Body:
1. The story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis the fourth chapter is one example of this concept from the Patriarchal Age.
1. The story of Cain and Abel found in Genesis the fourth chapter is one example of this concept from the Patriarchal Age.
A. The Bible tells us that Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain was a tiller of the ground.
A. The Bible tells us that Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain was a tiller of the ground.
2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
B. The Bible explains that Cain would later bring an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord and Able would bring of the firstborn of his flock and of the their fat.
B. The Bible explains that Cain would later bring an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord and Able would bring of the firstborn of his flock and of the their fat.
Genesis 4:3–4a (NKJV)
3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.
A. Genesis 4:4b-7 shows that God did not leave His worship to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
A. Genesis 4:4b-7 shows that God did not leave His worship to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
Genesis 4:4–7 (NKJV)
4b And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
1. God would hold Cain responsible for the proper sacrifice to Him.
1. God would hold Cain responsible for the proper sacrifice to Him.
B. Moses recorded that God respected Able and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.
B. Moses recorded that God respected Able and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.
Genesis 4:4b–5a (NKJV)
4b And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5a but He did not respect Cain and his offering.
1. In Romans 4:15 Paul recorded...
1. In Romans 4:15 Paul recorded...
15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.
A. Therefore, if God had not made the law available to Cain, there could have been no transgression of the law.
A. Therefore, if God had not made the law available to Cain, there could have been no transgression of the law.
B. Obviously, there was a transgression of the law, because of what God would tell Cain next.
B. Obviously, there was a transgression of the law, because of what God would tell Cain next.
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
1. This shows irrefutably that Cain knew the law of God, because God points out his sin.
1. This shows irrefutably that Cain knew the law of God, because God points out his sin.
C. Therefore, God did not leave His worship up to sinful man, because He told Cain that he had worshiped Him in the wrong manner.
C. Therefore, God did not leave His worship up to sinful man, because He told Cain that he had worshiped Him in the wrong manner.
1. God must have made the law available to Cain for there to be transgression of the Law.
1. God must have made the law available to Cain for there to be transgression of the Law.
A. In the wording of Genesis 4:7a is the implication that Cain knew the law concerning sacrifices.
A. In the wording of Genesis 4:7a is the implication that Cain knew the law concerning sacrifices.
Genesis 4:7a (NKJV)
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?
1. This implies that he knew how to do well.
1. This implies that he knew how to do well.
2. It also shows that God did not leave His worship up to the decision of man.
2. It also shows that God did not leave His worship up to the decision of man.
2. Another example of God’s never leaving His worship up to the decision of fallible man is found in the Mosaic Age in the story of Nadab and Abihu.
2. Another example of God’s never leaving His worship up to the decision of fallible man is found in the Mosaic Age in the story of Nadab and Abihu.
A. Leviticus 10:1 reads:
A. Leviticus 10:1 reads:
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.
1. The fire was profane, since God had not commanded them to use that specific fire.
1. The fire was profane, since God had not commanded them to use that specific fire.
2. The King James Version of the Bible uses the words “strange fire,” which seems to explain more precisely why this fire was wrong in God’s sight.
2. The King James Version of the Bible uses the words “strange fire,” which seems to explain more precisely why this fire was wrong in God’s sight.
A. The Lord’s referring to the fire that Nadab and Abihu used in His worship as “profane” or “strange” indicates that there was a specific fire which was to be used in His worship that was not profane or strange.
A. The Lord’s referring to the fire that Nadab and Abihu used in His worship as “profane” or “strange” indicates that there was a specific fire which was to be used in His worship that was not profane or strange.
3. The message is simple:
3. The message is simple:
A. Nadab and Abihu used the wrong fire because God, in His infinite wisdom, had regulated the fire that was to be used in His worship.
A. Nadab and Abihu used the wrong fire because God, in His infinite wisdom, had regulated the fire that was to be used in His worship.
1. This regulation is found in Leviticus 16:12 which reads...
1. This regulation is found in Leviticus 16:12 which reads...
12 Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.
B. This illustration exhibits two points concerning the topic in this paper.
B. This illustration exhibits two points concerning the topic in this paper.
1. The first point is that God regulates His worship.
1. The first point is that God regulates His worship.
2. The second is God expects His regulations to be followed.
2. The second is God expects His regulations to be followed.
C. Nadab and Abihu substituted profane or strange fire in place of the fire that was form the altar before the Lord and the results were catastrophic.
C. Nadab and Abihu substituted profane or strange fire in place of the fire that was form the altar before the Lord and the results were catastrophic.
1. This again demonstrates that God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
1. This again demonstrates that God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
3. The Christian Age is no different concerning this concept.
3. The Christian Age is no different concerning this concept.
A. God still does not leave His worship to the decisions of fallible man.
A. God still does not leave His worship to the decisions of fallible man.
1. By inspiration, the apostle Paul wrote thirteen books in the New Testament.
1. By inspiration, the apostle Paul wrote thirteen books in the New Testament.
A. Of these thirteen, teen of the epistles were written to different congregations and three were written to evangelist or young preachers.
A. Of these thirteen, teen of the epistles were written to different congregations and three were written to evangelist or young preachers.
1. These letters handled matters of worship to God, and not one of them ever declares to lay aside the law of God and do as the individual Christian desires in worship.
1. These letters handled matters of worship to God, and not one of them ever declares to lay aside the law of God and do as the individual Christian desires in worship.
2. Nor do they say to lay aside the law of God and do whatever is in the physical best interest of an individual or congregation in worship.
2. Nor do they say to lay aside the law of God and do whatever is in the physical best interest of an individual or congregation in worship.
B. Colossians 3:17 Paul recorded...
B. Colossians 3:17 Paul recorded...
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
1. Paul called on the church a t Colosse to have the Lord’s authority for everything they do in worship to Him.
1. Paul called on the church a t Colosse to have the Lord’s authority for everything they do in worship to Him.
A. It is not a coincidence that one of the best verses on having biblical authority for everything done in worship directly follows the command to sing.
A. It is not a coincidence that one of the best verses on having biblical authority for everything done in worship directly follows the command to sing.
C. In a letter to the Galatians, Paul would war the church form turning from the grace of Christ to a different gospel.
C. In a letter to the Galatians, Paul would war the church form turning from the grace of Christ to a different gospel.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
1. The very fact that Paul would cry this warning implies the fact that there is a specific gospel which must be followed.
1. The very fact that Paul would cry this warning implies the fact that there is a specific gospel which must be followed.
2. The words “to a different gospel” shows a change from the correct or proper gospel to something different.
2. The words “to a different gospel” shows a change from the correct or proper gospel to something different.
A. Paul would not leave this idea to implication on the part of the church, though he would bluntly tell them they were perverting the gospel of Christ.
A. Paul would not leave this idea to implication on the part of the church, though he would bluntly tell them they were perverting the gospel of Christ.
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
B. This once again demonstrates the fact that God has never left His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
B. This once again demonstrates the fact that God has never left His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
3. To further uncover the truth on this matter, in Galatians 1:8-9, Paul, for emphasis, repeats the same phrase twice.
3. To further uncover the truth on this matter, in Galatians 1:8-9, Paul, for emphasis, repeats the same phrase twice.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
A. The gospel of Christ, which Paul referred to as “the power of God to salvation”, is unchangeable by human hands.
A. The gospel of Christ, which Paul referred to as “the power of God to salvation”, is unchangeable by human hands.
B. Therefore, the gospel is the same today as it was in the first century and if one attempts to add anything to it, they call down on themselves the curse of God and ignore “the power of God to salvation.”
B. Therefore, the gospel is the same today as it was in the first century and if one attempts to add anything to it, they call down on themselves the curse of God and ignore “the power of God to salvation.”
D. In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul wrote...
D. In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul wrote...
15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1. The original letter to Timothy did not have chapter breaks, so the thought continues into the next chapter, where Paul explains to Timothy that in latter times, people would ignore what he had said about conducting themselves in the house of God and “dpart from the faith.”
1. The original letter to Timothy did not have chapter breaks, so the thought continues into the next chapter, where Paul explains to Timothy that in latter times, people would ignore what he had said about conducting themselves in the house of God and “dpart from the faith.”
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
A. They would depart from the rules and regulation set forth by God to their own rules and regulations of “forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods.”
A. They would depart from the rules and regulation set forth by God to their own rules and regulations of “forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods.”
1. This further confirms that God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
1. This further confirms that God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of His creation.
2. The fact that man would break His laws and do as they pleased proves that mankind’s decision-making skills were not up to the task of deciding what was proper for worship to God, and it is for this reason that God has never left the decision making in His worship in the hands of faulty, sinful human beings.
2. The fact that man would break His laws and do as they pleased proves that mankind’s decision-making skills were not up to the task of deciding what was proper for worship to God, and it is for this reason that God has never left the decision making in His worship in the hands of faulty, sinful human beings.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
1. During the Patriarchal Age God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of man.
1. During the Patriarchal Age God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of man.
2. During the Mosaic Age God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of man.
2. During the Mosaic Age God did not leave His worship up to the faulty decision-making of man.
3. During the Christian Age God has not left His worship up to the faulty decision-making of man.
3. During the Christian Age God has not left His worship up to the faulty decision-making of man.
4. This would mean that God has always regulated His worship and this would include the use of instrumental music in His worship.
4. This would mean that God has always regulated His worship and this would include the use of instrumental music in His worship.