The scriptures tell us that we should do all things in the name (by the authority of) Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17). One cannot find authority from Jesus on the use of musical instruments, but we can find authority for singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Therefore, we KNOW we can be pleasing to God using our voices to praise Him, but we cannot know that instruments please Him.

So, which course is more God-honoring?

Thanks for reading!

So, 300 people who had the day before claimed that the other 600 were “family” washed their hands of those “family members” and walked away because one of the brothers was going to play a guitar? It’s no wonder we wear the scorn of unbelievers. In actions like this, my fellow Christians become the greatest obstacle to the Gospel among the lost.

Why would you place the blame on the 300? You assign blame not on the ones that introduced the divisive matter. Would you prefer that they stay and defile they conscience?

You can read my article on it at http://ayoungpreacher.com/the-view-of-the-reformers-on-instrumental-music.htm

peace be with you all
cliff

Therefore, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you, within the Quail Springs congregation; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible for all to teach and admonish one another through singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord (Col 3:16): for in your separate assemblies some practice a “contemporary” form of worship, with the use of mechanical instruments, while others follow the biblical pattern of singing with the fruit of their lips—one is entertained and the later is edified.

What, have ye not houses to entertain yourselves in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that would rather worship in spirit and truth? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

For I received of the Lord that which the scriptures teach, that the Lord’s body in the first century spoke to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord (Eph 5:19).

It is commendable of the 300 members who chose to wear the whole armor of God (reminiscent of the 300 Spartans) despite the odds they faced. Unfortunately, the remainder are “puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that [they] that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (I Cor 5:2).

It is my plea that the church at Quail Springs will repent and pray their divisiveness be forgiven…(Acts 8:22, 23).

In brotherly love,
Darrel Collier
Temple, TX

Therefore, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you, within the Quail Springs congregation; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.

When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible for all to teach and admonish one another through singing with grace in their hearts to the Lord (Col 3:16): for in your separate assemblies some practice a “contemporary” form of worship, with the use of mechanical instruments, while others follow the biblical pattern of singing with the fruit of their lips—one is entertained and the later is edified.

What, have ye not houses to entertain yourselves in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that would rather worship in spirit and truth? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

For I received of the Lord that which the scriptures teach, that the Lord’s body in the first century spoke to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord (Eph 5:19).

It is commendable of the 300 members who chose to wear the whole armor of God (reminiscent of the 300 Spartans) despite the odds they faced. Unfortunately, the remainder are “puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that [they] that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (I Cor 5:2).

It is my plea that the church at Quail Springs will repent and pray that their divisiveness may be forgiven…(Acts 8:22, 23).

In brotherly love,
Darrel Collier
Temple, TX

Yes, we differ greatly on IM. Whereas meat and special days have no part or parcel in the worship setting, music does. To offer a different kind of music than the one proscribed by the Bible is a violation of God’s will.

Good to talk to you, perhaps our paths will cross again. I’d love to talk to you about it privately at any time.

God bless!

Because I have read most of the “unity” presentations which turned out to be a full court press from the NACC agents, and reviewed many of the books, it is clear that they are reading off the NACC script. I was challenged to refute the Farmer’s Branch paper and all of the presentations have followed that premise.

The fact is that they have all lied about each instance of an “instrument” in the Old Testament, cannot seen any repudiation in the New Testament and lie about the Church Fathers.

Secondly, if you grasp the meaning of words and the three sects Paul confronted in Romans 14 you will see that he outlaws all of those practices simply IDENTIFIED by their diet in the marketplace. All three sects were highly addicted to arousing people with singing and instruments.

Without dipping his pen Paul writes Romans 15 to define the assembly process where he uses the words for “synagogue.” He defines the teaching one another with “that which is written” as the way to edify or educate, glorify God, comfort with Scripture and keep the unity.

Romans 14 would define Jesus casting out the musical minstrels like dung (as prophesied) and consigning the pipers, singers and dancers to the Agora or marketplace. There is where you identified sects by their diet (not in church) and that is where all of the performing (Hypocritic) religious practices took place. The ekklesia (church) was for vocal instruction only.

Remember the lied and no one seems to be aware of it.

Thanks for your comments.

Matt said, “But, just let me say that the point I was making about Romans 14 is that if Quail Springs thinks IM is not a matter of doctrine, then they should agree to govern themselves by the Bible’s admonition to “never again eat meat” if they truly want to serve Christ.”

Rest assured, I understood the point you were making and agree wholeheartedly. If one-third of the entire fellowship walked out the door, then I believe the wrong decision has been made. I’m not sure how large a number must oppose something before it becomes a sin to implement it despite their objections, but I’m pretty sure 300 is over the line (in my humble opinion, anyway). What is the line? Truthfully, I don’t know. I think each situation should be judged according to its own unique set of circumstances…and even then there will be a variety of opinions.

Matt said, “However, I see IM as different from the “˜doubtful things’ Paul talks about. Music is part of the worship. It is not a “˜doubtful thing.’ Singing alone is commanded, so therefore in my understanding the type of music allowed in the worship assemble is not in doubt. It’s vocal only.”

This is where we part company. I believe it depends on which side of the issue you stand. Those who have a problem with special days or the eating of meat sacrificed to idols (or instrumental music, for that matter) doubt the liberty to partake of such things and cannot, in good conscience, do them. Nor should they be forced to, or imposed on with regard to such things. Those who practice these things have no such hesitancy. This is exemplified all across the spectrum: One-cupper, non-instrumentalists to multi-cupper, instrumentalists.

Matt, while I truly do appreciate your offer to study this issue more in depth, I’m afraid it wouldn’t do either of us any good at this point. I believe it would be necessary to go back much further, into the roots of worship patternism, hermeneutical rationale, and restoration goals. Plus, (and please believe me when I say this) I have studied IM to death: scripture relating to it (or the lack thereof) in both the Old and New Testaments; studies of the Greek words and the wording which surrounds such texts; countless sermons and class lectures preaching and teaching against it; essays espousing its value. I’ve pretty much settled on the side of it being a non-issue.

As for my own personal preferences? I love a cappella, as that is a part of the traditional worship format of the CoC I attend. I do not want that to change.

In Christ,

Steve

But, just let me say that the point I was making about Romans 14 is that if Quail Springs thinks IM is not a matter of doctrine, then they should agree to govern themselves by the Bible’s admonition to “never again eat meat” if they truly want to serve Christ.

However, I see IM as different from the “doubtful things” Paul talks about. Music is part of the worship. It is not a “doubtful thing.” Singing alone is commanded, so therefore in my understanding the type of music allowed in the worship assemble is not in doubt. It’s vocal only.

If you would like to study this with me privately or on a message board where we can converse more easily, just let me know.

Thanks for reading and commenting, Steve.