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We are a people of God. To be a people of God we must be directed by His word, the Bible. We must consider and obey
Him (His word) in the manner in which He has ascribed. The same would be true if we were Hindus, Buddhists, or Muslims, if
we follow there directives we then become disciples or followers of them. God's divine will has been made known to us, (2Pet
1:3) (2Tim 3:16-17). We can understand it alike (Eph 3:1-10) (1Cor 1:10). With this understanding we cannot change how He
wants it, we cannot add to His will, nor take from it. Changing God's directives would be sinful (Col 3:17) (Rev 22:18-19), and
cause us to be followers of whatever system we were following. It may even be, and usually is following self, or our own
intuitions rather than God's divine will. All denominations are guilty of doing this very thing, hence they are denominated by their
differing practices and designations.
So why do people insist upon changing what God wants, and replacing it with something else? Example; mechanical
instruments in psalms hymns and spiritual songs. Almost every religious group out there uses mechanical instruments (they say)
in worship and praise to God. But where do they find God's approval for doing such? It is not in the New Testament! Which by
the way is the Testament we are under today. We are not under the Law of Moses, he did not die for us, he is not our Christ
our Messiah. We are under the Law of Christ (Gal 6:2). The old law was nailed to the cross (Col 2:14). So to find God's will
for us today we must appeal to the great law giver of our time, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
The next logical question or thought should be, what does the new testament say about our offering music to God for praise
or worship? Suppose we ask God the question, how should we offer songs to you? Or how do you want them from us? How
will You accept them from us? Have you already given any instructions about the music you will accept from us?
(Mat 26:30, Mk 14:26) And when they had "sung" an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
(Act 16:25) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and "sang" praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
(Rom 15:9) And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee
among the Gentiles, and "sing" unto thy name.
(1Co 14:15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will "sing" with
the spirit, and I will "sing" with the understanding also.
(Eph 5:19) "Speaking" to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, "singing" and making melody in your
heart to the Lord;
(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, "singing" with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Heb 2:12) Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I "sing" praise unto thee.
(Heb 13:15) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the "fruit of our lips"
giving thanks to his name.
(Jas 5:13) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him "sing" psalms
Did you notice in every passage the words sing, speaking, sang, sung , singing, fruit of our lips. No where do we find God
asking for or accepting organs, guitars, drums, pianos, or any other instrument other than the heart of man. (Act 17:25) Neither
is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.
When anyone starts adding mechanical instruments to worship and praise to God, they have just added to the word, they have
just gone beyond that which is written, they have just left the faith which has been given to us through and by God's word the
Bible.
What it is when we add mechanical instruments, and what it is not;
1) It Is Not Authorized by God (Col 3:17), (Rev 22:18-19)
2) It is not an AID. Is the book of Mormon and Aid, a catechism, creed, synod, or tradion of man an aid? NO. They are all
additions.
3) It Is an Addition. A separate act (Rev 22:18:19), a song book is an aid because we are still just singing, a cane is an aid,
one is still just walking, eye glasses is an aid, one is still just seeing, but when the instrument is added there is another act
involved singing PLUS playing.
4) It is not Understanding. (1Co 14:15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
5) It is not Faithful. (Rom 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (2Cor 5:7) We walk
by faith, not by sight. Instruments of music in the worship service violate the law of faith. When you have instruments of music
in the worship, is this by faith or is it by sight? It did not come by the word of God, so it cannot be from faith.
6) It is not Praise. (Heb 2:12), (Heb 13:5) We Praise God from and by the fruit of our lips.
7) It is not Worship. (John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him MUST worship him in spirit and in truth.
(Joh 17:17) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. by the word of God comes the truth and this is how we
MUST worship Him. (Act 17:25) Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to
all life, and breath, and all things;
8) It is Sin. (1Jn 3:4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. How does
the law come? (Rom 3:27) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (Rom
14:23) for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
9) It is an innovation and tradition of Man! (Mat 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
10) It is entertainment for men and by men. It did not come from Jesus, and He will not accept it. Therefore is must be by
men, and for men.
So when we are asked about our praise team we simply reply with God's will on the matter.
(Eph 5:19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to
the Lord; (Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Our praise team is each individual
singing to God, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs from his or her heart to God and to each other in worship, praise, adoration,
respect, reverence, and faithfulness.
You will not find faithful people doing unfaithful things. No one can do things wrong and just expect them to be made right.
Jesus said; (Joh 8:31-32) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my
disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Come and visit with those who are simply living by god's word without addition to nor subtraction from God's will, simply
following as we have been guided by His Spirit, the word.
(Joh 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life.
Steve Baisden
231-218-3442
Steve@Jamesstcoc.com
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