Is Church of Christ A Cult?

[evenifigoalone]

Multiple instruments are mentioned in the Psalms in relation to worshipping God.
'Course, not like a church that doesn't use any at all is that big a deal. The Bible doesn't say you have to use instruments, either.

 

[reba]

Using my voice would be a sin :wink
Then there is this verse and a couple more like it
Psa_95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 

[Obadiah]

A few times I've heard congregations singing acapella and it was really nice. But in light of scripture, such as Questdriven mentions, I could never agree that there is any prohibition against using instruments, even amplified instruments, singers, and live sound reinforcement systems. Nor would I even agree that the use of or lack of use of any of these things is better. It all has it's place.

 

[agua.]

A few times I've heard congregations singing acapella and it was really nice. But in light of scripture, such as Questdriven mentions, I could never agree that there is any prohibition against using instruments, even amplified instruments, singers, and live sound reinforcement systems. Nor would I even agree that the use of or lack of use of any of these things is better. It all has it's place.

 

[Webb]

I have a private discussion on a different forum on music in the church should any be interested.
God bless,
w
Rom.16:16

 

[Obadiah]

LOL. Now that's an interesting verse you post there, Rom 16:16. Seems the Church of Christ has been around for a long time, eh?

(Yeah, yeah, I know it's not talking about the SAME Church of Christ! Much like John the Baptist wasn't really a member of the Baptist Church! )

 

[reba]

tell me it aint so..

 

[Webb]

Isaiah preached to deaf ears too!

 

[Knotical]

It is true that the bible does not say we should use instruments in worship, but it also does not prohibit it. My feeling is that God gives us these gifts and as long as we are using them to bring glory and honor to him by using them then there is no problem. To say a worship service is no place for the use of instruments is really just squelching the use of something God gave us.

 

[JLB]

A few times I've heard congregations singing acapella and it was really nice. But in light of scripture, such as Questdriven mentions, I could never agree that there is any prohibition against using instruments, even amplified instruments, singers, and live sound reinforcement systems. Nor would I even agree that the use of or lack of use of any of these things is better. It all has it's place.

Amen Brother.

It all has it's place.

The heart of man filled with love and admiration for the Lord expressing praise and worship, with or with instruments is what counts to God.


JLB

 

[Webb]

It is true that the bible does not say we should use instruments in worship, but it also does not prohibit it. My feeling is that God gives us these gifts and as long as we are using them to bring glory and honor to him by using them then there is no problem. To say a worship service is no place for the use of instruments is really just squelching the use of something God gave us.

There is what some have called in Bible study the rule of "inclusion and exclusion". A simple example from most every day life exemplifies. Mom tells Johnny to go to the store, gives him a list. The list has on it: bread, butter, milk and coffee. These items are specified. Johnny however returns home with ice cream, soda pop and candy (things he wanted) along with the items on the list. Did Johnny obey his parent? This illustration is brief and may be enlarged upon, yet something to consider and apply to our subject.
God bless,
w
Rom.16:16
TO BE DEEP IN THE SCRIPTURE IS TO CEASE BEING CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT OR JEW -- Webb

 

[Knotical]

There is what some have called in Bible study the rule of "inclusion and exclusion". A simple example from most every day life exemplifies. Mom tells Johnny to go to the store, gives him a list. The list has on it: bread, butter, milk and coffee. These items are specified. Johnny however returns home with ice cream, soda pop and candy (things he wanted) along with the items on the list. Did Johnny obey his parent? This illustration is brief and may be enlarged upon, yet something to consider and apply to our subject.
God bless,
w
Rom.16:16
TO BE DEEP IN THE SCRIPTURE IS TO CEASE BEING CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT OR JEW -- Webb

I think there is something missing from your scenario. Did Johnny's mother tell him to only get the items on the list? If so, then yes, he sinned against his mother for disobeying, but if she did not specify then if she does become upset that he purchased more than what was on the list all she can, honestly, do is set a boundary.

If there are no boundaries set we cannot get upset when someone breaks it.

 

[Webb]

The mother's list specified. God's list, the Bible, specifies. One more thing,we do not live under the Old Covenant but the New.

 

[Knotical]

The mother's list specified. God's list, the Bible, specifies. One more thing,we do not live under the Old Covenant but the New.

Well, of course, but are you suggesting that the list, by itself, was to imply a boundary? Jesus Himself, in the sermon on the mount, took the time to clarify the boundaries in the Ten Commandments.

 

[Webb]

The Bible itself is God's list, God's boundaries. If not then may as well chuck it. Many have. Yet the scripture says: "it is not in man to direct his own steps."

 

[Knotical]

The Bible itself is God's list, God's boundaries. If not then may as well chuck it. Many have. Yet the scripture says: "it is not in man to direct his own steps."

Ok, but your analogy does not match up. All the mother did was hand her son a list. You have not specified if she provided other written or verbal instructions along with the list.

Of course the bible is God's boundaries for us, but when you look closer at the examples within the bible, such as the Ten Commandments, Jesus felt the need in the sermon on the mount to further clarify what was meant when those commandments were handed down.

 

[Webb]

When God specified His list, His boundary, he did not give other instructions to man prior to giving His list, the Bible.

In enlarging on the "ten commandments" what Jesus said was and is in the scripture, is it not? BTW, only 9 of the 10 commandment are carried over from the Old into the New Covenant.

I like your signature, you might want to apply it here. I perceive you may have been in the Navy. I was in the Marine Corps, under the Navy. We Marines understood orders as did the Navy. Lord Nelson of the British Navy also said to his men in battle: "keep on pounding men and we shall see who shall pound the longest."
God bless,
w
Rom.16:16

TO DWELL DEEP IN SCRIPTURE IS TO CEASE BEING CATHOLIC, PROTESTANT OR JEW -- Webb

 

[evenifigoalone]

If she also gave him money to buy the items, then he would be in the wrong to spend her money on the extra items. If he bought them with his own money no harm no foul.

I don't get waving off the use of instruments in the Psalms as "oh, that's the old covenant". The Psalms aren't Mosaic law, they are simply examples of worship and praise songs, which for all we know may have been used by the NT church.

 

[Webb]

I'll go along with you if you can recall anywhere in the NT when the church sang and played on instruments of music.

 

[JLB]

The Bible itself is God's list, God's boundaries. If not then may as well chuck it. Many have. Yet the scripture says: "it is not in man to direct his own steps."

However, the bible does not produce faith.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Jesus said it this way -

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:39-40

Faith is produced when God speaks to us.

A living relationship with God leads to a life of faith, a life that pleases God.

Reading the scriptures, without a living relationship with God, (pharisee's), is eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

JLB