2nd Chapter Of Acts live in concert 1987

YouTube ^

[LearsFool]

One of the principles that spans both covenants is that God expects obedience from man. Not our ideas, not "good ideas", but HIS ideas. (See I Samuel 15, and the story of King Saul's "good idea".)

Though the specific dictates of the covenants differ, our duty to fear and obey God remains the same.

Nadab and Abihu might have thought it'd be a good idea to burn incense to God. But since God had not yet given sufficient instructions for them to burn incense the way He wanted them to, they were in disobedience when they proceeded without instructions. They paid for that presumption with their lives.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus could not be a priest under the old covenant. And what reason does he give? Simply that "our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood." It was enough that God said nothing about priests from Judah. That's all it takes.

There are many aspects of our lives (eating with forks, for instance) about which God gives no command. But when He does speak, when He tells us what He desires, we shut up and listen closely - and put aside all our own ideas about what might please Him.

In the new covenant, God gives us vast areas of liberty in which we may offer service to Him. (For instance, He no longer commands a tithe offering, but instead desires that we give cheerfully as He has prospered us.) But when He speaks, He expects our adherence to His desires, rather than to our own.

(The arguments in the article you quoted are rather weak, so in the interest of brevity I haven't addressed them. However, I'll be happy to if you wish.)

[time4good]

I 100% agree on obedience. As Samuel said ‘It is better to obey than sacrifice’.

Your whole argument about it ‘wrong’ to use musical instruments based on old vs. new covenants is misguided at best and fallacious at worst. I pray neither but at least hope the former. Regarding Jesus lineage from Judah and new covenant and relating to whether or not then that means that it is wrong to use instruments to worship The Lord is a stretch.

Just because Paul says to us to ‘Sing to The Lord in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs’ is flawed and erroneous analysis to then take that that means instruments are wrong. They are neutral and assist the melody - from Genesis to David until now. If you really mean what you say and are honest in your heart then you should have ZERO problem with the gifts of the Spirit for today as well. I am not trying to stir things up - rather have you really take what you’re saying to it’s end.

Brother - there have been too many arguments here on FR over the years that venture into discord among the brethren - and that I KNOW is a sin. So I’m going to leave it here as stated. Of course you can speak freely.

[LearsFool]

Like you, I have no desire to foment discord nor stir up an unloving spirit. But all who desire to obey God must first know what God expects. The search for what He expects sometimes involves hammering through misconceptions, and even standing firmly against false teachings by those who would lead disciples astray:

"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." - Acts 20:29-30

People often appeal to the old covenant to find authority from God for various things they'd like to do (circumcision, tithing, church organs, holy days, etc.) since they can't find it in the new covenant. Yet the commands in that covenant are not only no longer in effect, but as Paul says:

"And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." - Galatians 5:3-4

As you wish, we'll drop the subject. Thank you for the kind discussion, my FRiend. I'll be happy to pick it up again in the future if you like. :-)

[HarleyD]

I loved the 2nd Chapter of Acts. They were one of my favorites and we still have some of their music on cassettes.

Have you heard Stuart Townend? We really enjoy his and Keith Getty's songs.

In Christ Alone