Thanks for the compliment. It's always nice to be appreciated <IMG alt="" src="http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/cry.gif" border=0>
Anyway - on a serious note....Can you people (speaking to those of you who believe we should NOT have instruments during worship) believe that it is a SIN to use instruments? By being a SIN then those who participate are going to Hell?
Please, don't climb on your soapbox. A simple Yes or No will do.
Back to my corner. <IMG alt="" src="http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/scratch.gif" border=0>
The use of a musical instrument itself is not sinful. If however it used to worship God with then it becomes a sinful act. Its kind of like fire itself was not sinful. But Nadab & Abihu offered a strange fire and died for it. Was the fire sinful itself? NO. It was because it was not done as God had commanded. Its as simple as this my friend. All authority was given to Jesus Christ Mat 28:18. To do that which Jesus has NOT authorized is to void his authority. The old law was written for our learning but we are under the new law of Jesus Christ and with God being our master and we being his slaves we need to OBEY his commands under the new convenant and not the old.
Its as simple as this. We are to walk by faith 2Cor 5:7 Faith comes by hearing of the word Rom 10:17 If something is not done by faith than it is a sin. Rom 14:23. Sin brings about spirtual death rom 6:23. If we continue to sin willfully after the truth has been given to us there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin. Heb 10:26.
Im very sorry but I cannot answer you question with a simple yes or no. You see it is up to you to decide. It is between you and God. I have proclaimed what I belive to be the truth found in the word of God and I have presented on this thread for all to see. I am just doing what I can to be a servant to my God. I am by no means trying to offend anyone or tear them down. If these things happen its not because of me but of what I proclaim from the word of God. If I am correct about what the word says about the use of musical instruments, if you use them you are adding to the word of God and doing something that is not authorized by God to do in worship. This would be a sin. Sin is sin. All I can do is tell you what I believe to be the safest route to take. If you want to gamble with your soul I can't stop you I can only implore you to do that which the bible authorizes.
In conclusion:
1.The Lord nvery authorized mechanical music.
2. The apostles never sanctioned them.
3. NT writers never commanded them
4. Apostolic churchs never used them.
It is RIGHT and SAFE TO SAY: Vocal Music is the only kind of Music divinly authorized for christian worship today.
Ok... want to use Scripture.. how about reading Titus 3:9............
This issue is not a salvation issue - its not gonna keep Christians out of Heaven because they play instruments...... it has one purpose the way its going - to please satan........
satan is just laughing it up - watching Christians fight and argue - call each other names etc etc etc.......... instead of trying to edify one another - it appears people are trying to tear down one another.......... that goes on both sides of the issue.......... hey - I'm a strong believer in that instruments are okay in worship service.. but nothing is being proved here
personally - I think a better thread would be - Why should it matter???? Why are christians at each others throats....
In fact - read Titus 3:1-11.................
First thing my friend I do my best to speak in love and I try to season my words with salt (Col 4:6). I in no way am trying to tear anyone down. 2nd you must understand that this is a debate thread. When people come in here they should expect that one side will present their arguements and then the other side will do the same. Name calling or anger sometimes will be displayed when people get frustrarted which is something we all need to work on everyday but this to me is not a pointless arguement. Intead its useing the bible and reasoning from it and sharing what it says. Scott challenged me to defend my view by making 4 arguements at the begining of this thread. The bible delclares that I should defend the hope that is in me.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always <I>be </I>ready to <I>give </I>a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
I am sadened by what you said this topic should be changed to. Why should it matter???? Why should anything matter? This is a very liberal attitude to have. Its like saying: Who cares what the bible has to say about as long as it feels good or the majorty are doing it its ok. I could be completely wrong about you but it seems from your statements that you dont feel that one should reprove or rebuke another person. If this is the way you feel let me show you a few passages.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season <I>and </I>out of season. Convince,
rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you,
rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore
rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren,
warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
Gods people and not just elders should reprove and rebuke 2tim 4:2, 2Thes 3:6
Bibical examples:
John and Heord Lk 3:19-20
Jesus and Scribes & Phaarisees Lk 11:37-54
Peter and Simon Acts 13:9-11
This is just a short list and I can eloborate on this in much more detail but this should be sufficent enough to show that the bible does authorize debate which reproves and rebukes and that it can turn people away from a wrong teaching and show them the truth of the word of God.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the
law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
Now I would certainly agree that one should not get entangled in foolish disputes about the word of God but, if you will notice this paticular verse is talking about disputes about the law that is the old covenant. Again, I still think this concept is great advice for those things in the new covenant. One might try to argue if Paul was bald or not. This would indeed be fooling dispute. But when it comes to reasoning from the word of God on matters of things that are sinful or not authorized in the word of God these by no means are foolish.
God Bless,
Cougan