A question for Christians

I sing a cappella a lot. I love it, especially hearing mixed voices combining together. I’d like to hear your singing in the Church of Christ.

However, I don’t hold to this as a Biblical principle. As Silverwings says, God gave the Hebrew musicians special talents to worship Him with musical instruments. King David the Psalmist played on his harp and also danced to worship God. (People laughed at him then, as I recall, but God liked it.) Many of the psalms exhort people to praise God on various musical instruments of the time. These are all OT references. I don’t personally see the lack of reference to instruments in the NT as significant, but I can see that this is important to you in the Church of Christ.

I’d hate this to turn into a sectarian row, folks. I’m fascinated to learn about your belief and practice in the Church of Christ, and I always enjoy talking with you as my Christian brothers and sisters, so can we share our opinions and differences without getting into ‘unholy row’, do you think? So far, we’re managing it, but maybe only just, I sense…

gee, mr. chips. take it down a notch. everyone is trying to answer your question to the best of their ability.

I dont’ think its so much about whether you use musical insturments or not. In the old testament they didn’t use instruments and believed it was your heart strings that made the music. You can find in revelation and in psalms about instruments being used in heaven. I think it’s more of how your heart is when you are worshipping God. Worship doesn’t even have to be with music, it can be through prayer, reading the bible. It’s more of a personal preference. God doesn’t look down or codemn people for using or not using instruments, just as longs as its worship that isn’t in vain.

Where a king rules–is his kingdom. If we are in Christ, and He rules here in our heart, do we have heaven on earth?

Good examples. . . . of “praises to God” in a poetic form. . .

I’m not trying to hijack this or turn it into a spectacle. I’d like to ask a related question and get some real answers. My sister’s husband’s family and my husband’s family are all members of the CoC (forgive me for not just saying “Christians” but I didn’t think some people would know what I meant) and so I try to understand their feelings.

I note that women are permitted to sit in worship services without wearing a veil. Yet Paul says that women must keep their heads covered. How do you interpret this verse so as not to have a conflict?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Btw: I love a capella and traditional songs. I think both brings its own unique flavor to the service. I don’t really understand why CoC doesn’t allow instruments but I do understand the idea of basing worship on scriptural authority.

Music was used widely in the old test. and no one would even think of not having it, and God says he is the same today, that he does not change, so why would anyone decide that they could not have music? Just because it wasn’t mentioned in the new testament ?

In Matthew 9:23 “When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24he said, Go away, The girl is not dead but asleep…”

They were not worshiping, but morning her.

In Revelation 15:2 “…They held harps given them by God 3 and sang…”

The trumpets being blown before each of the seals were opened in Revelation 8:7-11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven which said, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

The trumpets were proclaiming attention, but in your Q’s some don’t mention in church so here’s my answers.

Blessings for making us think!

Well here’s one example in the bible: (Psalm 144:9) I will sing a new song to you, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to you.

Also Psalm (150:3-5) Praise him with the sound of a trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise him with clashing cymbals!

Strict, Not really I simple want what I ask for which I doubt no one can or will provide. “Where do we recieve biblical authority for instrumental music in church?” I did not ask what is the popular opinion on Music in the Church. . . . After all it is GOD’s will not ours. . . .

I want biblical authority people not personal opinions. . . . Where does ‘GOD’ give Authority for instrumental Music in worship on earth in the Bible. . .

Eph 5:19 When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. I can show you authority where we are to sing to praise God. . . Now you give me a New testament Scripture where we are to praise God with instramental music.

• in the new Testament since that deals with christian worship unlike the old testament which deals with Jewish worship.

Matthew 9:23 - Jesus lived under the old law. Entering someone’s house and seeing someone playing in no way shows Jesus endorcing it for Worship in the New Testament church. Revelation or in Greek Veiled. . . Another way of saying Coded. the book is a book of figurative language. . Christianity at that time was outlawed and a death offense in that period so do you think they would write the book in plain language for the Romans to find? Also both scriptures speak of events in Heaven. . . . and this ain’t heaven.

Well, the church I attend (Church of Christ) doesn’t have music. It comes from the “sing and make melody in your heart” verse. We sing Acapella. There’s even a singing group called Acapella that is awesome.

OK, back to the original Q: In the New Testament, the Bible is silent on using instruments in worship, just singing. There is no authority in using instruments, but we do.

No Heaven is not on Earth. . . We (Christians) are Aliens in the world. Christ kingdom is His church, It is a Kingdom of the spirit: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1Co 15:50 ASV) Jesus himself says that his kingdom is not of this world: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (Joh 18:36 ASV) Heaven is our reward in the hereafter. We only recieve that reward for leading a life in obediance to our Lord God.

Okay. I’m outta here.

singing is found thru out the New testament. . .

biblical authority = Scriptures Where are they?

Why don’t you handle that in another Question. . . I’d really like to keep this on track.

You should read the original question. . . . “Where do we recieve biblical authority for instrumental music in church?”

The word becomes inspiration in music, and some people understand it better than they would just reading the bible!(LIKE ME!)

I think you are being very strict about this subject. I know you don’t want personal opinion but mine is that if we have instruments and they aren’t evil we should be able to use them even in church. No where in scripture have I found anything about this Instrumental music authority. I just know it makes for a heck of a time in church. I love it.