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To: LearsFool

People often confuse ‘old convenant’ and ‘new covenant’ for things that transcend both - because they are missing the Spirit of the old covenant AND the new covenant. I think you are doing that with this topic. I like the way this author makes the point clear:


http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/praise-and-worship/instruments-of-the-new-testament.html

Examples of worship pleasing to God by means of instruments and voice, come primarily from the Old Testament Scriptures. (See MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT)

Specific New Testament reference to musical instruments is limited to the Apostle John’s vision of heaven: “And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and standing beside the sea those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God.” (Revelations 15:2 NIV).

Few would argue that this comparative silence indicates God’s disapproval of instruments as a part of New Testament church worship. The Apostle Paul assures that all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in what is right (2Timothy 3:16). The Psalms is a part of the all Scripture that Paul refers to. The book of Psalms is filled with examples of praise and worship methods that are pleasing to God. (See VARIOUS FORMS OF WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH PART I)

The New Testament tells us that the Psalms are most definitely to be a part of the worship practice of believers (Eph. 5:19, Colossians 3:16). The book of Psalms is filled with references to praising God with musical instruments.

The Hebrew Old Testament word for psalms is Tehillim, or ‘praises.’ (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

The Greek New Testament word for Psalms is: Psalmoi, originally meaning “songs sung to a harp,” from psallein “play on a stringed instrument.” (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

According to the New Testament definition for the word psalms, and according New Testament Scripture regarding the Psalms, God is pleased with worship that comes from the heart, with or without instruments. (See WHAT IS WORSHIP?)


Again - let me ask you - do you eat with a knife and fork? Why? Jesus only used his hands. Nowhere did he break the fish and loaves with a knife and fork. You’d say I’m being silly. But I ask again - do you worship The Lord in ALL that you do?


40 posted on 10/13/2014 3:16:31 PM PDT by time4good
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To: time4good
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.)
41 posted on 10/13/2014 4:45:38 PM PDT by LearsFool ("Thou shouldst not have been old, till thou hadst been wise.")
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