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Ask The Pastor
July 20, 2004
> I read
your answer to a question about playing music and clapping
> during
church worship services. Here is the link
> http://www.christianchallenge.org/ask/MusicAndClapping.html
> I was
>
wondering if you had any New Testament evidence to defend your
> answer.
I could use the Old Testament to justify the burning of
> incense,
animal sacrifice and polygamy to name a few practices that
> were
done away with under the new law.. Your answer to the question is
>
insufficient and misleading.
Jonathan,
Worship is a personal matter
between the believer and the Lord.
Actually the apostles felt no
need to re-instruct believers concerning Biblical worship. A book had already
been written for this purpose. The book of Psalms was used by the early
Christians as a guide for worship, just as it was for the Jews. And Psalms is
the only Old Testament book alluded to in the New Testament, to be used as a
medium of worship. (Cf. Eph5:19;
Col3:16)
According to the Greek term
that Paul uses for 'psalms', it means to touch or play a musical instrument
with regard to sacred worship. Most every Bible commentator will tell you that
Paul is speaking of New Testament believers using the Psalms of David for
worship. (Along with hymns and spiritual songs.)
Here are some example quotes:
Barnes Notes - "The
Psalms of David were sung by the Jews at the temple, and by the early
Christians."
Adam Clark - "Psalms may
probably mean those of David."
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown -
"Psalms--generally accompanied by an instrument."
John Gill (Hebrew scholar of
yesteryear) - "By psalms are meant the Psalms of David..."
You called attention to
incense, animal sacrifices, and polygamy. Why pick out these things? Surely
there is much value in the Old Testament that had never changed. The Lord
Himself said, "Every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of
heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things
new and old." (Matt13:52
However, there is a deeper
issue involved. Perhaps it should be noted that Jesus did not come to give us
another religion. He came to give us a direct relationship with the Almighty
God through His Son Jesus. Thus we are given the Holy Spirit to guide us into
all that is proper, including how we can worship.
As for what I said being
insufficient and misleading, remember that the the sister asked a simple
question. She said, "Is it wrong to play music and clap your hands in
church?" Most certainly it is not wrong.
I must concur with the
apostle who said that believers are not to judge other believers in matters of
personal conviction and faith.
I do wish you well.
Buddy
Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask
the Pastor
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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