Is there a Biblical Way to Worship or is it Just Human Preference?

[garee]

If we don’t praise God, nature will metaphorically speaking.


Isaiah 55:12 NKJV
[12] "For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains
and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of
the field shall clap their hands.



Psalm 98:7-9 NLT
[7] Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all
living things join in. [8] Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills
sing out their songs of joy [9] before the LORD, for he is coming to judge the
earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.

All of creation groans and travails awaiting the orchestrator of our new hearts to sing. In Zrphamiah we God doing the singing leading the choir .


Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

 

[Nehemiah6]

There is nothing in Scripture that forbids the use of musical instruments in worship.

Correct. In fact, temple worship in the Old Testament included musical instruments, and many of the Psalms specifically state which instrument is to be used when they are sung.

Given the fact that the Psalms were written by divine inspiration, it is not only foolish but unbiblical to claim that musical instruments may not be properly and reverently used in Christian worship.

PSALM 33
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

 

[Waggles]

The question is, is there a "Biblical" way to worship, or is it just human preference?

Yes, in spirit and in truth
by praying in the Holy Spirit

 

[SpoonJuly]

Yes, in spirit and in truth
by praying in the Holy Spirit

You mean "speaking and praying in tongues" right.
That is not bringing glory to God but attention to yourself.

 

[Dino246]

You mean "speaking and praying in tongues" right.
That is not bringing glory to God but attention to yourself.

No, it isn't. If it were, Jude would not have written, "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit" (v.20).

 

[garee]

No, it isn't. If it were, Jude would not have written, "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit" (v.20).

If words have no meaning what can they build up other than ones own imagination?

 

[Dino246]

If words have no meaning what can they build up other than ones own imagination?

Where does Jude say that words have no meaning? Where do any of the NT writers claim that words have no meaning? It seems to me that, for all your warning about "not going beyond what is written", that is precisely what you are doing.

 

[shrume]

You mean "speaking and praying in tongues" right.
That is not bringing glory to God but attention to yourself.

No, it isn't. If it were, Jude would not have written, "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit" (v.20).

Also, Acts says that when the apostles spoke in tongues they were speaking the wondeful works of God (Acts 2:11).

Also, Acts says that when Cornelius and his family spoke in tongues they were magnifying God (Acts 10:46).

Also, 1 Cor 14:2 says that when a person speaks in tongues he is speaking divine secrets to God.

Also, 1 Cor 14:17 says that when a person speaks in tongues he is giving thanks well.

Like all the "also"s?

 

[posthuman]

Making sure our worship matches the bible is the only way to identify if we are in His church or a man-made church.

you really can't think of any other way to discern between a church with the true gospel vs. a church with a false gospel . . ?

 

[OneFaith]

Why are you adding "personal preferences" then? (Or why is your church and its leadership)? If the Bible is silent on something (though we have far more reason, from the OT to understand that God is not against instrumental music in worship of Him) then it would be a "personal preference" either way. It is your "personal preference" not to allow instruments and it may be another's to allow them. There is nothing anywhere in Scripture that forbids it.



So, where in Scripture are we told He no longer "wants" musical instruments being used in worship? If you cannot provide sound, Biblical doctrine on this matter, then, as I wrote earlier, you may want to ask yourself if you are guilty of the very thing you're accusing others of. (In this case, worshiping God the way they want as opposed to what He wants).



Not everyone who uses musical instruments in worship is trying to "entertain people". That is an intent of the mind and/or the heart, it has nothing to do with what tools we use to worship, whether it's our voice or musical instruments, or both. If a person's intent is merely to "entertain" they could do so just as well Acappella.



And? Where did Jesus forbid the use of musical instruments in worship?

I am not adding personal preferences, i like music.

My church leadership is Christ.

The bible is not silent on it. God was very specific which instruments in the old testament (harp, horn, trumpet, tambourine, cymbals, etc (many, many etcs). And He was also very specific in the new testament (fruit of your lips, and melody in your heart). Aside from this, we are to rightly divide the Word- old testament and new testament. That is a direct order, not an inference. Anyone who studies the Word with ears to hear and eyes to see, can clearly see that things were done physically in the old testament and spiritually in the new testament. The first church did not have musical instruments for 800 years, until branch off churches added it. To be brave enough to drag this old testament practice into new testament worship is like being brave enough to drag animal sacrifice into new testament worship. On judgement day, when God says "I told you to rightly divide the Word." I would not want to be in that person's shoes!

The man who caught the ark of the covenant to keep it from falling had good intentions. Yet he died instantly, because God told him not to touch it. Jesus says the same "Only those who do the Will of My Father." "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." We need to actually do what the bible says (rightly divide the Word).

 

[OneFaith]

you really can't think of any other way to discern between a church with the true gospel vs. a church with a false gospel . . ?

No- because then it would be my opinion and not God's opinion.

 

[OneFaith]

But where in the Bible does it say we can’t/shouldn’t use instruments in a worship assembly?

Forgive me if this has been addressed.

2 Timothy 2:15- rightly divide the Word. What's in the old testament stays in the old testament. It has been nailed to the cross and is separate from the new covenant.

Old- physically perfect lamb sacrifice
New- spiritually perfect Lamb of God sacrifice

Old- physical tablets of law
New- He writes His laws on our hearts (spiritually)

Old- physically stone sinners to death
New- spiritually have people die to sin to live for Christ

Old- physically saved through water (parting sea, noahs ark)
New- spiritually saved through water (baptized into Christ's death)

Old- physical instruments
New- spiritual instruments

 

[Acadia]

I am not adding personal preferences, i like music.

As musical instruments are not forbidden in Scripture, it is indeed a “personal preference” whether one chooses to use them or not.

QUOTE="OneFaith, post: 3654915, member: 245240"]My church leadership is Christ.[/QUOTE]

Christ is indeed the Head of the Church.

The bible is not silent on it. God was very specific which instruments in the old testament (harp, horn, trumpet, tambourine, cymbals, etc (many, many etcs).

Indeed, and Scripture is clear that He found such instrumental worship pleasing and did not forbid it. We are given absolutely no reason in the NT to believe that has changed.

And He was also very specific in the new testament (fruit of your lips, and melody in your heart).

And? That is not a forbidding of musical instruments, sorry. You are making it say something it doesn’t. If God no longer wanted musical instruments used in worship of Him, He would have told us plainly.

Aside from this, we are to rightly divide the Word- old testament and new testament. That is a direct order, not an inference. Anyone who studies the Word with ears to hear and eyes to see, can clearly see that things were done physically in the old testament and spiritually in the new testament.

We are still in our physical bodies and surrounded by physical things in this life. You seem to be taking this to a level of Gnosticism. We worship in “Spirit and in truth”, yes, but this does not mean we cannot engage with the physical and material things around us. We are physical beings as well as spiritual. If we use our bodies (which are the “temple of the Holy Spirit”) then we must acknowledge that there is a physical aspect of worship as well. You may also want to consider that our voices are a type of instrument. Should we not sing either? Scripture tells us we should.

The first church did not have musical instruments for 800 years, until branch off churches added it.

Again, you do not know this for certain. That is pure conjecture and we have no reason to believe it.

To be brave enough to drag this old testament practice into new testament worship is like being brave enough to drag animal sacrifice into new testament worship. On judgement day, when God says "I told you to rightly divide the Word." I would not want to be in that person's shoes!

Nope, not even close. Animal sacrifice could never take away sin and only always pointed to Christ. The use of musical instruments in worship have nothing in common with that at all and are not related to the taking away of sin.

The man who caught the ark of the covenant to keep it from falling had good intentions. Yet he died instantly, because God told him not to touch it. Jesus says the same "Only those who do the Will of My Father." "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." We need to actually do what the bible says (rightly divide the Word).

The “will of the Father” is to believe on the Son. Yet you would suggest that it is to refrain from using musical instruments in worship? Nonsense.

God has not forbidden it. And your really should not suggest that those who use musical instruments in worship just may be damned to Hell.

You speak of “rightly dividing the word”, but you have not done so yourself. You are holding to manmade doctrines and legalism.

 

[melita916]

Is there be music in heaven?

 

[OneFaith]

Is there be music in heaven?

Spiritually (coming from the heart of the christian) heaven is not a physical place, there will be no physical instruments there. Which is exactly the pattern of God...

Old testament = physical people and physical worship
New testament = physical people and spiritual worship
After judgement day = spiritual people and spiritual worship

Do you not see that God is preparing us to live in the spiritual realm with Him?

If you can clearly see God's pattern- old testament/physical worship (let's call this 'blue' and new testament/spiritual worship (let's call this 'red') and after judgement day/completely spiritual (let's call this 'white' and the pattern goes... blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, red, red, red, red, red, red, red, white, white, white, white, white, white, white' who has the right or dares to make the pattern "blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, blue, red, red, red, red, red, blue, red, white, white, white, white, white, white, white"?

God makes understanding scripture difficult on purpose. He wants us to study, dig, ask, seek, knock. He wants to filter out those who have no ears to hear and eyes to see. There is no private interpretation, but there are levels of understanding and growth in Christ. Babies believe that Jesus only lead by words, adults believe Jesus lead by word and by example. And they throw a tantrum when you try to explain the spiritual to them, or the big picture.

I guess I combined answering you and Acadia, sorry.

 

[Dino246]

I wonder if the adherents of the "Church of Christ" wear shoes or read Scripture from their cell phones during the worship service. Neither is authorized in the New Testament. I wonder if they use music with discernable rhythm or with lyrics not straight from Scripture. Those aren't authorized either. Nor are bound Bibles, projectors for lyrics, sermon notes, etc. etc. etc.

smh... Jesus died to set us free.

 

[Dino246]

God makes understanding scripture difficult on purpose. He wants us to study, dig, ask, seek, knock. He wants to filter out those who have no ears to hear and eyes to see. There is no private interpretation, but there are levels of understanding and growth in Christ.

Where do you get this? What is the alternative?

 

[OneFaith]

As musical instruments are not forbidden in Scripture, it is indeed a “personal preference” whether one chooses to use them or not.

QUOTE="OneFaith, post: 3654915, member: 245240"]My church leadership is Christ.

Christ is indeed the Head of the Church.



Indeed, and Scripture is clear that He found such instrumental worship pleasing and did not forbid it. We are given absolutely no reason in the NT to believe that has changed.



And? That is not a forbidding of musical instruments, sorry. You are making it say something it doesn’t. If God no longer wanted musical instruments used in worship of Him, He would have told us plainly.



We are still in our physical bodies and surrounded by physical things in this life. You seem to be taking this to a level of Gnosticism. We worship in “Spirit and in truth”, yes, but this does not mean we cannot engage with the physical and material things around us. We are physical beings as well as spiritual. If we use our bodies (which are the “temple of the Holy Spirit”) then we must acknowledge that there is a physical aspect of worship as well. You may also want to consider that our voices are a type of instrument. Should we not sing either? Scripture tells us we should.



Again, you do not know this for certain. That is pure conjecture and we have no reason to believe it.



Nope, not even close. Animal sacrifice could never take away sin and only always pointed to Christ. The use of musical instruments in worship have nothing in common with that at all and are not related to the taking away of sin.



The “will of the Father” is to believe on the Son. Yet you would suggest that it is to refrain from using musical instruments in worship? Nonsense.

God has not forbidden it. And your really should not suggest that those who use musical instruments in worship just may be damned to Hell.

You speak of “rightly dividing the word”, but you have not done so yourself. You are holding to manmade doctrines and legalism.[/QUOTE]

You can say "sorry you're wrong" all you want, but you are not the authority. My truth does come from the bible, and by judgement day you will see that. Just as those who mocked "Jesus says He can tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days." They could not understand that He was speaking spiritually because they hath not ears to hear nor eyes to see.

You can read the rest of my answer in post #75.

 

[OneFaith]

Where do you get this? What is the alternative?

"No prophesy of scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20. Whether prophets of old, or prophets today (who can now only go by God's Word already written), there is no private interpretation- the truth can only be found by those who have eyes to see it. Jesus said a parable about how there was a man who sold all he had to buy this land because he knew there was a treasured pearl in it. So he dug and dug till he found it- this is like how we spiritually search for treasured truth in God's Word. And no, there is no other alternative for receiving God's truth today.

 

[OneFaith]

I wonder if the adherents of the "Church of Christ" wear shoes or read Scripture from their cell phones during the worship service. Neither is authorized in the New Testament. I wonder if they use music with discernable rhythm or with lyrics not straight from Scripture. Those aren't authorized either. Nor are bound Bibles, projectors for lyrics, sermon notes, etc. etc. etc.

smh... Jesus died to set us free.

"Take off your shoes, for where you are standing is holy ground." This is a physical representation, the real way is the spiritual way. "These were a shadow of things to come, the reality however is found in Christ" (the spiritual way instead of the physical way). The old testament is one big long parable (comparing physical things to spiritual things). In reality God is everywhere, therefore if we took the physical as a reality (not just an example for our understanding) we could never wear shoes again- it would be sinful- which in turn would mean that Jesus committed sin by wearing saddles.

No, it was only for our understanding and correction of our attitude (spiritual). "God does not live in temples built by human hands." Acts 17:24. They took off their shoes in the old testament because they were under the physical covenant. We take off our shoes spiritually (correction of attitude/have respect for God) because we are under the spiritual covenant. But even though we do things spiritually that they did physically, we are still in physical bodies, living in a physical world. So we cannot, for example, spiritually give to the poor without physically giving to the poor.

So just because some things overlap, doesn't mean the drive is not different. In the past they had literal horse-power, today we have cars with horse-power. In the same way, doing things spiritually under the authority of Christ is so much better than doing things physically under Moses. Can you imagine hundreds of horse carriages blocking traffic today?