Christ was the perfect sacrifice, giving us forever access to heaven. The veil was torn.
Heb 9:7-24
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
John 4:23: But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."
It is clear there is a huge difference between OT and NT worship. The veil is torn; we have direct access to the Father through Christ. We can worship him with our sins already atoned for. We can worship in Spirit and in truth. Simple devotion to God instead of all the extra outward expressions (instruments etc.) like was required in the OT. We worship by making melody in our hearts (Eph. 5:19), by worshipping "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23).
Here is some good stuff from a sermon outline:
"NOT ALL WORSHIP IS ACCEPTABLE...
1. There is vain worship - Mt 15:7-9
a. Based on traditions of men, while ignoring the commands of
God
b. Offered without involving our "hearts" (spirits)
2. There is ignorant worship - Ac 17:22-23
a. Ignorant of the true nature of God
b. Ignorant of the worship He desires
3. There is will worship - Co 2:20-23 (KJV)
a. Self-imposed, not God-directed
b. What we like, what we think is good
-- Just because we worship God, does not mean He is pleased with
our worship!"
There are also thickets of strawmen.
Agreed. I believe we are on the same page as far as instrumental music in worship stands.
What do you think of the topic at hand?
Do you care for "Christian music" or Rocking for Christ as the title puts it?
Can't say I've ever listened to any but I would have no qualms with it outside of worship.
you dont even sing out loud?