It is not unusual, when one with
whom I am having a discussion discovers that I am a member of the
church
of
Christ
, for him to respond with something like, "Oh, you are the people
who don't use music." This response is likely not meant in
disrespect, but it rather indicates an image which we have in the eyes
of those who do not understand
.
Yes, we do use music. In fact,
the majority of us enjoy very much the pleasure, contentment, and joy
resulting from wholesome music. Many of us have learned to skillfully
play a variety of musical instruments. We also feel that the human
voice is capable of singing in a way far superior to any man-made
instrument, and we thrill to the beauty and harmony of voices blended
in praise to our God.
ProperUnderstanding
But the proper understanding is
that we do not employ use of mechanical instruments of music in our
assemblies of the church. It might be of interest to note that several
other religious groups also share our views about praising God with
only the human voice. Among these are Greek Orthodox churches (among
the largest in number) and Primitive Baptist churches (among the more
conservative of the Baptists).
Singing plays a most important role in assemblies of the Lord's
church. With it God is praised, and we are uplifted. Perhaps singing
might be likened in a service of the church to flowers in the field or
forest. It beautifies and makes pleasant the atmosphere which prevails
when Christians assemble. Our hearts rejoice when thus prompted to
reflect upon our heavenly Father and His abundant blessings. Our
voices gladly proclaim His presence in our lives and our thanksgiving
for it.
Instrumental
Music Evident in the Old Testament
While some of these same
qualities can also be found in playing musical instruments, we find no
example in the Scriptures that early Christians ever engaged in
playing instruments in their assemblies. It was not a matter of such
instruments not being available, for instruments had for centuries
been very common. Reference is made to the harp and organ in verse 21
of the fourth chapter of Genesis. Timbrels and dances were used by
Miriam and other Israelite women in Exodus 15 (about 1496 B.C.), and
David used a harp to refresh Saul in 1 Samuel 16:23 (around 1060
B.C.). In 2 Samuel 6:5 we are informed, "And David and all the
house of
Israel
played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood,
even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and
on cymbals." After
Judah
's return from Babylonian captivity (517 B.C.), Nehemiah mentions
certain men following Ezra "with the musical instruments of
David the man of God" (12:36).
The
Old Testament Not a Pattern
But the Old Testament is not a
pattern for the Christian age. During the periods which it records,
especially the era of
Israel
which preceded the establishment of Christianity, God's people known
as
Israel
constituted a nation which was both civil and spiritual. They
acknowledged God and recognized His direction in spiritual matters.
But being also a civil nation among other civil nations, they occupied
a position not in harmony with what was later to be the spirit of
Christianity. During that period the Israelites offered animal
sacrifices, burned incense, could have more than one wife, executed
criminals, exacted physical punishment, and observed national
boundaries. It was during that period that instruments of music were
used. None of those practices were observed by the church of the first
century, for such practices belonged to an earlier, incomplete era
designed to prepare for a more perfect one to follow (Hebrews
8:7-13, 10:1-9).But the Old Testament is not a
pattern for the Christian age. During the periods which it records,
especially the era of
Israel
which preceded the establishment of Christianity, God's people known
as
Israel
constituted a nation which was both civil and spiritual. They
acknowledged God and recognized His direction in spiritual matters.
But being also a civil nation among other civil nations, they occupied
a position not in harmony with what was later to be the spirit of
Christianity. During that period the Israelites offered animal
sacrifices, burned incense, could have more than one wife, executed
criminals, exacted physical punishment, and observed national
boundaries. It was during that period that instruments of music were
used. None of those practices were observed by the church of the first
century, for such practices belonged to an earlier, incomplete era
designed to prepare for a more perfect one to follow (Hebrews
8:7-13, 10:1-9).
The Lord's church is a spiritual
kingdom existing within and among civil nations throughout the world,
but it has no authority to function in a civil capacity as did old
Israel
. It has a different relationship and a different purpose. It is
noteworthy, then, that practices such as those just mentioned were
never recorded among early Christians.It is also noteworthy that instruments of music were never
mentioned as part of the assemblies of the early church.
New
Testament
Church
Characterized by Singing
But music is mentioned as part of the early Christians' lives. Paul
wrote, "I will...SING unto thy name" (Rom. 15:9), "I
will SING with the spirit, and I will SING with the understanding
also" (1 Cor. 14:15), "In psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, SINGING and making melody in your heart to the
Lord" (Eph. 5:19), and "In psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, SINGING with grace in your hearts to the Lord"
(Col. 3:16).
The writer of Hebrews quoted
Psalms 22:22 in saying, "In the midst of the church will I
SING praise unto thee" (2:12). In James 5:13 disciples are
exhorted, "Is any merry? let him SING psalms." It
will be evident, of course that each passage refers to SINGING, not
use of instruments.
The striking fact is that even
though instruments of music were available and could have been
used they weren't. It is our purpose to constitute in this
century a church identical to that of the first century. This is
accomplished by following their God-approved practices and by avoiding
that which God has not authorized
QUESTION:
Does
the Bible teach that one must be baptized in order to be saved? If so,
how can one reconcile this with the doctrine of faith only?
ANSWER: It seems that in this question,
the inquirer assumes that the doctrine of faith only is true. If it
were, then the answer to the above question would be that the two
could not be reconciled. But where in the scriptures does the Bible
teach that all one must do to be saved is have faith? I am sure all
agree that we are justified by our faith, but again, where is the
passage or passages that teach justification by faith alone? Many
times we are led to believe a particular doctrine not necessarily
because the Bible teaches it, but rather because we have been taught
that it was true. Remember, the only way to get Biblical answers to
Biblical questions is to go the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
If one begins to search the
scriptures of the New Testament, he or she will find that there are
many passages which teach justification by faith, but nowhere can a
verse be found that says faith alone saves (see Romans 5:1; Ephesians
2:8). In fact there is only one place in the Bible where the words
‘faith only’ appears. Here I quote James 2:24 “Ye see then
how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”
The one and only place in the Bible where ‘faith only’ is found,
it is preceded by the words “not by”!!! As anyone can plainly see,
the Bible does not teach salvation by faith only. Many of the
advocates of faith only are found terribly inconsistent when at one
time they say faith only saves and at the same or even a later time
they say that one must repent or confess. If faith only is all that
saves, then why do they teach repentance or confession? Faith and
repentance and confession is far from faith by itself. Some may then
argue that repentance and confession are a part of faith. I agree that
the saving faith leads one both to repent and confess, but what of
baptism? Where do the scriptures teach that faith includes repentances
and confession, but excludes baptism? The truth is that they do not.
The New Testament teaches us that the faith that saves is the faith
that obeys.
There are many passages of
scriptures which teach that baptism along with repentance and
confession is necessary in order to be forgiven. Note the following
passages:
Mark
16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Acts
2:38 – “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts
8:35-38 – “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same
scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way,
they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is
water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou
believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said,
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the
chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
Acts
22:16 – “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and
wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Romans
6:3, 4 – “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried
with him by baptism into death. That like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life.”
Gal.
3:27 – “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.”
I
Pet. 3:21 – “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also
now save us (not putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the
answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ:”
Many other passages could be
given, but these should suffice. From the above it is found that:
1.Only
he that believes and is baptized will be saved.
2.One
must repent and be baptized in order to have the forgiveness of sins.
3.Baptism
puts us into Christ.
If baptism is not essential then
one can be saved without obeying the Lord or being in Christ and
having sins washed away. This indeed is an absurdity. When one has
faith he or she will repent, confess, be baptized, and live a faithful
life in the service of Christ.
THE
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