bmerr here. I understand your point of view, but your reasoning, if applied to other aspects of worship, would be easily seen as poor.
For example, what if someone wanted to add steak and potatos to the Lord's Supper, and justified this idea with the statement that "the NT doesn't
command steak and potatos, but it doesn't
forbid it, either."
Surely you can see wherre this kind of reasoning could lead. It seems to me that to simply base our worship and service on what God has commanded, rather than on what God has not specifically prohibited, would be the far safer way to go.
If you feel that instrumental music in your church is a detriment or a hindrance, then don't have it.
We must remember that worship is not to be centered on what WE want, but on what God has commanded. One of the saddest times in the history of Israel was during the period of the judges, when "...there was no king in Israel: [and] every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).
My church feels that is the piano plays an important role in promoting worship and putting people into a spirit of worship. So we will keep our piano because it encourages people to worship.
A desire to do the will of the Father should be the motivation for worship, not a piano.
If we are going to exclude pianos from the sanctuary and from the encouraging of worship because the are not commanded in the New Testament, then we are also going to have to do away with pulpits, sound systems, choir robes, choirs, choir directors, youth directors, AWANA, stain glassed windows, hymnals, pews, church signs, church websites, weekly bulletins, collection plates, .......
.....well, you get the idea.
Scarlett, there is a great need for instruction in the difference between "additions", and "expedients" in worship. You mentioned several things, and so, I will address some of them.
Pulpits were the first you mentioned. We need to ask the question, "What role does a pulpit play in worship?" Is it something we do? Is a pulpit an action? No. A pulpit is a tall desk where a preacher can rest his Bible, or sermon notes for ready reference while he is preaching. A pulpit is an aide to the carrying out of the command to preach/teach.
Sound systems were next. Again, let's ask, "What does the sound system do?" It merely amplifies the voice of the preacher, so he can be heard more clearly. Again, it is an aide to carrying out the command to preach/teach.
Third, let's lump together choirs, choir robes, and choir directors. What part do these play in worship?
Right from the start, we can look at verses dealing with singing in the NT, and see what is said about it.
Eph 5:19 says, "
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord".
Similarly, col 3:16 says, "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 with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
In both of these verses, we have what I've been told is called a "reflexive reciprocal command". It basically means I'm singing to you, as you sing to me, and so on for the whole congregation.
Often, in a choral situation, the choir sings, while the rest of the congregation listens. This is not what God has commanded, and is therefore, not His will.
Choirs are not authorized in the NT, and are not acceptable for use in worship of Jehovah. That said, if we do away with choirs, we effectively do away with their robes and directors, as well.
Skipping down your list to hymnals, or song books, we can ask our question, "What does the song book do in worship?" Have you ever tried to song book? Is it possible to sing
and hymnal? Of course not. The song book is once again, merely and aide to carrying out the command to sing.
I won't belabor the point any further. I think you can see what I'm talking about. Suffice it to say that when we introduce the instrument to the worship, we add another kind of music to that which God has commanded. There are many styles of music, but only two kinds.
The whole collective of Baptist churches today bear absolutely no PHYSICAL resemblance to the early church. So should we get rid of all of the above because of that?
EXACTLY!!! There is a great need for people to abandon the creed books, church manuals, catechisms, etc of denominationalism and return to the Bible (NT) as our sole authority in religion. If it's not commanded, then God didn't want it. If it's not worship in spirit and in truth, it's worship in vain.
What's important is that the whole of the body of Christ, whether they be Baptist or whatever, should bear an EXACT resemblance to the early church in its heart for Jesus and its revering of God the Father.
This attitude will be manifested by the conforming of the people to the word and will of God.
Worship from a righteous person's heart is acceptable to God with or without instruments.
A righteous person will not use the instrument in worship. He will do as God commands.
And optional does not mean forbidden nor unacceptable.
That is correct, provided it is an option, and not an addition.
In Christ,
bmerr
