From Eph. 5:19 (et. al.) we learn that our singing is to be congregational, with each one singing to each other one. Where solos and choirs actually contradict congregational singing, the whole congregation singing in four part harmony does not. It is a form of congregational singing. It is within the scope of the commanded form of singing. Also, historically, the early church had the practice of responsive singing, which practice also went back to the practice of singing in the Hebrew Synagogues. Responsive singing is where one part of the assembly would sing a stanza and another part would answer them with the next stanza. As with four part harmony, the whole congregation is singing together. Four part harmony or responsive singing is a form of congregational singing and does not contradict the principles taught in Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, Heb. 2:12 or any other New Testament passage on singing.

Now, regarding your questions:

1. The concern of who a particular aspect of our singing is for really comes from the argument against the use of mechanical instruments that says the use of such is purely for our enjoyment and has nothing to do with pleasing God. While that is true, we have to be careful that we don’t get the idea that there is nothing about our singing that is supposed to be for our benefit. The singing is supposed to “admonish,” which means to instruct or even correct and rebuke (Col. 3:16). So there is a part of our singing that is for our benefit, it is to “teach and admonish” the congregation. Four part harmony is a way to do that which does not alter or contradict the specific command

   There is a great deal in Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 that would be contradicted by the use of instrumental music. Our singing is supposed to be “speaking,” an instrument can’t do that. It is supposed to be “teaching and admonishing,” instruments cannot do that. It is supposed to be congregational but with instruments some are playing and others are singing. Instrumental music does not facilitate our singing in any way whatsoever.

2. As to the authority for a song leader, this is something I covered in the article above. The fact that it is to be done congregationally and that it is be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40) would imply that there are authorized means to sing congregationally in an orderly manner. One of those ways is to use a song leader. The song leader facilitates to singing. There is nothing about the use of a song leader that alters or contradicts the specific commands. That does not mean that the use of a song leader is the only way to sing congregationally in an orderly manner but it is the most logical and immediately apparent means to that end.

3. The use or non-use of mechanical instruments is not simply a matter of judgment. The use of mechanical instruments actually contradicts the commanded music of the New Testament worship. We are commanded to sing congregationally, that cannot be fulfilled with the use of mechanical instruments. We are commanded to teach and admonish with our singing, that cannot be fulfilled with the use of mechanical instruments.

   The use of Adiaphora for biblical doctrine is applying Stoic philosophy to Scripture. According to this idea, if the Bible doesn’t specifically forbid something then it is a matter of judgement and we may choose to engage in that thing or to not engage in it. It is a matter of liberty that is neither right nor wrong in and of itself. However, this man-made philosophy does not fit the teaching of Scripture. In the Bible, if something is not authorized by specific or generic authority then it is forbidden. Several passages establish the fact that biblical silence does not allow for those things on which it is silent. Rather, those things are forbidden. Silence forbids!

   For example, We are to do all things by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17). That is, we must be authorized in what we do by the word of Christ. If the word of Christ is completely silent on a matter then we have no authority from Christ and, therefore, it is forbidden. Hebrews 7:12-14 says that the Law was changed of necessity because Christ could not be High Priest under the old Law, he was from a tribe that Moses spake nothing of as concerning the priesthood. The fact that Moses did not say any other tribe could produce priests forbade priests from any other tribe. Moses did not have to say that they could not have priests from Judah or the other tribes because he said were the priests were to come from. He specified a tribe for the priesthood and was silent about priests from any other tribe. Because no other tribe was specified they were forbidden from being priests.

   Scripture does not explicitly forbid the use of honey on the bread of the Lord’s Supper. But if someone were to say that the use of honey on the bread was acceptable then I would ask them to show me the verse authorizing such. Simply saying that the Bible doesn’t say you can’t do something is not authority to do it. Likewise, just because the New Testament doesn’t explicitly say you can’t use mechanical instruments doesn’t mean that you can. You have to be able to show where it is authorized. Adiaphora, as it’s applied here, is not a biblical principle.

I hope this answers the questions you are having about the use of mechanical instruments of music. It really comes down to just one simple question, can you show me where the New Testament church ever used it or authorized its use? Before I am willing to engage in an activity I need to see where I am authorized by Scripture to do that thing.

To my Brethren: “I Love You”……
“Jesus Christ built the most glorious church I have ever seen. The love I have seen and experienced as a member of the church has always amazed me. I have felt awe and amazement that even when I was weak, there was love from my brethren. Even when I was lost and left the congregation, when I returned, after quite a few years, I was accepted back, with open arms. With tears, and with love. The Christians prayed for me the moment I returned and still do today.

I have experienced humble men and women, who have studied, prayed and cared. Men and women who have listened to the cares I have and sat on pews or stood in parking lots, spent time on the phone and gave of their time and lives to make my faith richer. The men that have spent hours studying the bible and preaching and teaching and proclaiming that Christ is God’s Son.

The sermons on love and I Corinthians and the messages on Paul. Studies and Bible Reading, Old Test., New Test., Original Greek, Hebrew. Some of the greatest servant ministers that have expressed the scriptures I owe great gratitude to and love. And to their wives that have shown to the congregation great care and love. To the fellowship, songs, food, clothes given. To the women have prepared for the grieving at funerals.

The love and the tears prayed for the sick and the numberous sick with cancer or illnesses. The food pantry servants that have been willing and able to be humble and go and spend time to serve and aid the poor. The love of the Bible school teachers to prepare lessons and greet Children that have needed to hear God’s word. The bible studies done on tables at buildings and in resturants and in homes and work lunch tables. I see that love, that care, that sacrifice that priority that goes to preach the gospel.

The men and women that have confessed their sins and corrected their lives in order to give God back the control of their lives, after being hit by satan’s darts and “not give up ” and repent and humble their lives before God. I’ve seen Men and Women say they are sorry for their sins and cry their eyes out.

Jesus love and building his church does shine still and I have seen it in the past, I have seen members of the body of Christ door knock, pass out flyers, invite their neighbors to know Christ, to experience Christ , to worship Him, to pray, to go to Panama, China, Russia, and into their own backyards in America to reach out to tell others that their is a God is Alive.

The Men and women who help others. The singing to admonish one another, or humbly giving of their means, without a # placed on the plate they give, yet give God the glory of any and all works done under his voice and to please him.

Who humbly yet boldly speak out to stand up for the principles of Gods word, to encourage their brethren.

The church that continues to preach and deliver the gospel and stress keeping the gospel Pure and Not to be soon removed from the simplicity that the gospel spells. Messages of The entrance into the Kingdom of God by the calling of the Gospel, the answer of a good conscience towards God in baptism, the love that we never can outgrow or do without… that message is still being preached and proclaimed by preachers with the Gospel of Peace. I’ve heard it and seen it.

The men that protect their women, that love their women and sisters in Christ and would hurt if she hurts. The men that protect their men when it comes to sins that tempt the mans heart to stray God.

This is the church of Christ that I have known and seen and heard and owe a debt of love to. This is the the bride Christ prayed for to be One in Him. Thank God He built it.

Sure I have seen mistakes too. But, that is why God inspired Hebrews 13 , so that we could remember that we need other Christians everyday to help us to stay out of sin.

If we are studying and asking God for His righteousness and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, Praise God for any and all attempts to find unity in Christ and His Church.

Meg, I want my legacy to be about my love for Christ and being a servant to others too, and I believe, that giving God Glory for the good that my brethren have done over the years is a shining light.

To him that overcometh the world, there is to be given a crown of righteousness. I hope others that see members of the Lords church doing the best they can, will also see Christs love, and will forgive us where we faulter.

What does the statement I just wrote have to do with musical I’s… Perhaps it is that the praise we give God in His church and the love we have for one another is exemplified by how much we follow Christ ‘s example.

Lord willing, Norm, in God’s wisdom, would you please expound on the passage of following Christ- doesn’t it say in the New Testament that Christ sang? It points back to your points on Biblical Inference, Commands to Obey, and Examples to Follow, doesn’t it???

You said:
“When a person is honestly striving to please God according to what he has commanded in his word, they don’t have any problem determining what is authorized and what is not authorized. The problem with how to correctly ascertain biblical authority, and the principle of authority in general, only arises when people are trying to justify doing something for which they have no authority from God to do.”

With all due respect, this is a very arrogant statement. You are basically saying that among all who love the Lord and are striving to serve Him and humbly submit to His will, the only ones that are really striving are those of the view you hold. I regret to say that I too once thought that to be the case, until I started actually listening to what others were saying and what they believed and why. What I found were good honest men who had sought the truth diligently and come to different conclusions than you in so doing. That doesn’t make them right of course, but please, let’s address the issues without attacking the character of those we disagree with.
I too once preached that those who used instruments and did all sorts of other things did so only because it’s what they wanted to do and they then sought to twist the scriptures to find approval. But brother, such is simply not the case at all. Are there some who fit that description you gave? Certainly. But many who have come to different conclusions than you do not. They are good honest men doing what they do not because it’s what they want, but because they are striving to do their best to glorify God and sees approval for doing so in certain ways that you do not. Again, that doesn’t make them right, but don’t attack someone’s character. Only God knows the heart.

You said:
“Most thinking, rational people use and understand this level of authority in every aspect of their lives. They only want it thrown out when it interferes with them doing whatever they want and calling it worship. ”

You are here essentially calling all those with whom you disagree unthinking and irrational people only care about doing what they want to do and care little or nothing about glorifying God. I can only assume that you either have never had a heart to heart talk with many brethren who disagree with you, or that you have just so prejudged their motives so that there is no way they can disagree with you and still be a thinking rational person who seeks to glorify God above all else.

You said:
“The kinds of objections raised in the “question” is evidence of rejecting God’s authority more so than ignorance of it. To point out the use of pews as an example of something that is not authorized, as though that would justify doing things that aren’t authorized in other areas, is simply dishonest and illogical.”

I’m afraid you have missed the point in those of us who say such things. Certainly we don’t think pointing out one thing as unauthorized would somehow authorize something else. Yes, that would be dishonest and illogical, and I know of no one who has ever been so ignorant as to make such an argument. If you do, please provide quotes and references rather than making an unfair generalization that attacks the character of everyone you disagree with. The point we make when saying things such as this is that your application of your hermeneutic is inconsistent. We are simply pointing out inconsistencies in hopes that you will realize that something is wrong with your paradigm and how you read the New Testament.

Meg had some comments about leaving a legacy of love, which I thought were great comments. To them you replied:

“Your comments about a “legacy of love” and turning the Bible into a rule book, while well intentioned as they may be, are misguided. This is one of the ways that liberal minded apostates have attempted to remake the church of our Lord, which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28), after the image of man-made denominations. It takes the twisted and sick worldly idea of “love” and attempts to bring the Bible into subjection to it, rather than being transformed into the biblical image of true and beautiful godly love. ”

Such comments are most certainly not misguided! Love is the essence of all scripture. Love is the command on which hang all the Law and the Prophets. God Himself is Love. Indeed, if we are to be His children, our legacy too should be Love, and Meg is right on in stating that such is not the legacy churches of Christ have made for themselves. It is not a twisted and sick worldly idea of love that Meg was talking about, as is obvious from the example she gave. She gave an example of one doing what Jesus said was the ultimate act of love-laying down your life. That man she mentioned laid down his life for his King! Brother, with all due respect, how in the world do you make that out to be a sick twisted worldly idea of love??? That is precisely the precise personification of agape love!

Further you said:
“According to your desire for a worldly love, you are basically saying that you are willing to compromise anything and everything to have people think you love them. If it is hard or potentially offensive to someone, according to this idea, it should be put aside (i.e., compromised). ”

No, that is not what we are saying. Look again at the example. The man laid down his life, and would NOT compromise his faith, despite the persecution. Comments like this are evidence that you are prejudging the heart and comments of anyone who disagrees with you. Brother, please realize this!

Further you said:
“Why would we think that we show the love of Christ by tolerating sin and every manner of man-made whim being practiced in his worship? ”

Who are you referring to here? No one said we show the love of Christ by tolerating sin. As no one said such a thing, you are just putting words into the mouths of those you disagree with. Whether it be your direct intent or not (having been where you are for many years, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are not) you are prejudicing your readers rather than accurately informing them. This is a natural thing that happens which we don’t even notice when we have pre-judged others ourselves, as you have pre-judged the hearts and minds of those you disagree with.

Further you said:
“Meg, the fact is, you cannot find the kind of “legacy of love” you are talking about being expressed toward any of God’s righteous servants in his word. ”

Brother, Meg was not talking about love being expressed TOWARDS God’s servants, but being expressed BY God’s servants.

There is much more that could be said about hermenutics and how we are to read and apply the New Testament, but such would be futile until your heart is open to hearing and honestly considering other viewpoints without all the misrepresenting of others and judging of others hearts that runs throughout your discourse.

All that being said, let me state again that I was once where you are and preached exactly what you preach. I understand very much the mindset, and know that I certainly was guilty of the same things I charged you with, and then some. I was so caught up with a zeal to teach what I believed to be the truth that I didn’t even realize the condition of my heart and attitude towards others. Of course I don’t know your heart, so understand that I am not saying your heart is not right. Only God knows. But your attitude towards those you disagree with does seem rather manifest, and we will never reach the point where we can all gather together in love and humility to honestly consider His word and seek His truth as long as that attitude and many of the comments of which you made about those you disagree with are present.

Please think and pray on these things and give them some quiet reflection.

God bless.

But, the scribes decided not to ask Jesus any move questions, maybe they were getting too close to seeing His Righteousness.

Jesus connected himself to the past to wash away all sins under old law as well as new, he spoke with authority of how God will be in view in the Resurrection. As Mary(the sister of Lazarus) realized Jesus was the Resurrection and the Life.

Does this perhaps reinforce that the saved of all ages, unto God, will be blessed with the “New Age” of Heaven? Those who are His He Knows. Those who have been his in the past can be resurrected and rewards with eternal life after the grave. Anyways, those dead in sins are not living reborn in Christ, even though they are physically alive.
Regarding the point about alive vs dead. Mike that was an excellent answer. But my Q. is: Doesn’t dead carry different meanings. Dead in Sins. Dead meaning asleep, or in the bossom of Abraham (*safe)or without water for the tongue(*unsaved? well, that is another topic. Jesus did preach to those below during the three days, declaring His Victory accomplishing God’s promised being the Messiah. At any rate, there will be a grand reunion of the saved at the end of time at judgement day where all will be judged and Resurrected.

Also, Tina,regarding worship, Everyday it is important to be
the Living Sacrifice His children are to give Him, not only exemplify
the Christian Life on Sunday, as Obedient to the Assembly,but
we must obey Him everyday, and edify each other so that we are not Hardened by sin. Hebrews 3:13. Gal. 6:10 Be good to all men, especially the household of faith.

Either we prove His Word or we are offending Him. This study is extremely important. We must be Sound in Faith and Sound in Doctrine according to Timothy and Titus. I believe Norm is right on track when it comes to getting our Authority from Christ, the Bible
speaks Commands to Obey, Gives Approved Examples, and Necessary Inferrence.

Thank you for your question concerning necessary inference and bible authority.

I believe that you are half way there, but just not going far enough to answer the question. “What is being resurrected?” Something MUST be immortal, in order for a person to live on after the body has ceased to function (died). It certainly is not the physical body, for it is in the grave decaying. You are correct that Jesus is making a case for the RESURRECTION – but WHAT is going to be resurrected?

Jesus reminds us, “be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt 10:28ASV).

Now then, what is able to be killed? ANSWER: The physical Body – What is NOT able to be killed? ANSWER: The immortal soul.
The word “destroy” should not worry us, because it is not the same term as we often think of, as being ‘annihilated’ – but this word in the Greek simply refers to God’s ability to deliver the lost soul to eternal misery. BOTH the immortal soul and their new spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37KJV).

Jesus here is showing the value of the immortal soul. It is the soul, the immortal side of our being that we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). It is the ‘soul’ that lives on, and the ‘soul’ that will be resurrected at Christ’s return.

Yes, Jesus was proving to the Sadducees that there will be a resurrection of the ‘physically dead,’ yet ‘spiritually alive’ (the immortal soul). Therefore, God IS the God of the living. Therefore it is the case that Jesus’ words DID prove the resurrection, as well as the existence of a immortal soul. IF not, WHY not?

Tina