Music and Biblical Worship**

Have you ever considered the power of music to control people? There are many kinds of music for many kinds of moods and events that man has invented to soothe his flesh and please him. Most are NOT in line with purity and goodness are they? (Country, rap, rock, dance, pop etc.)

It is no secret that we live in a culture that is entertainment crazed, filled with all kinds of mood setting music and its people have a lust and craving to be moved by it, seemingly non stop, both in their minds and bodies.  Along with that if you have visited modern denominational religious places you will have seen (and no doubt heard) how man's music is now being used in the so called worship services of these places on a weekly basis. You can then see how it affects people just the same. This post is going to take a biblical approach to exploring the topic so we can know and understand what is biblical worship unto the Lord and what has been invented and brought in via man's ways / traditions to make people feel good and to usher in a "experience with God" that is NOT taught anywhere in the Holy bible.


I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.   1 Corinthians 14:1


One of the reasons we are writing on this topic is that we have been made very aware of the various worldly traditions and tactics that men are bringing into the so called body of Christ and passing it off as biblical  and part of His Holy body. We have personally witnessed in our years of sitting in a pew the terrible affects and the unbiblical nature of its poor fruit over and over. God's New Testament Word gives the example of a very simple and plain offering to the Lord in the singing from the heart in worship that pleases the Lord; while man over time has added to make it more pleasing to people.


The Word of the Lord warns against such things in Colossians 2:6-8

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

What we are going to claim is that religious systems of man has left the ways of God and have gone so far into what man does and desires as traditions; it now enters even into the silly and absurd. Not only is the use of practiced choirs, modern music, trained and professional type musicians, worship teams and many kinds of instruments (now common in so called modern worship events) they have gone even further in the using of technology to "move" people's emotional moods rather than relying on the preaching of the gospel truth. It has gotten so crazy we have often asked ourselves just how low and how far from God's Holy truth will today's man made religious bodies go to attract a crowd and give people a feel good experience in a so called worship service? Well, we will show you and it is very sad. As an example let us describe a rural religious gathering not many miles from where we live.


It is a small non denominational religious body called Faith Christian Center in Mauston, Wisconsin. Here, they use not only modern music, various instruments, trained teams of players to put on musical shows, wide screen TV's, mood lights/darkened lighting, beats and rhythms (that move the body, not the soul) but they have stooped to the night club like stunt of

 smoke for appearance! You can see the smokey video on the facebook page of their modern pastorPaul Shirek. Flashing images, emotional music, a darkened room, mood lights and yes... smoke as well! How sad! Now we won't sit through such things so we have not seen the smoke machine ourselves. And if this wasn't a smoke making device; their building was on fire that day and no one knew it I guess? But it appears to be smoke for "setting the mood".

 Note: his son Josiah is a singer/music writer and their worship pastor which by the way is NOT found in God's Word is it? Sadly it looks more like a worldly disco club and NOT a place of God's Holy  people gathering and it is not the only issue places like this have regarding the truth of the bible. The fact is, if they are going to use and do these types of things they are very compromised on MANY biblical areas as well that endangers peoples souls, keeps the gospel truth from them and grows false converts.   We speak out in love and concern as we know people there.  This creates a body who will get all emotional over some music in a staged event but the fruit of their lives and theology are still very far from biblical holy believers and Christ warned of this in Mark 7 didn't He? (Worshiping with hearts that are far from Him.)


Note: this body is very unbiblical and has many unbiblical issues starting with their word of faith influenced modern pastor who I have spoken to. Sadly he seeks to entertain people over clinging to the truth of God's Word and Ways. See our link/research on them with many biblical details at our unbiblical teachers blog

http://bewareoffalse-unbiblicalteachers.blogspot.com/


What is the point and why the fuss about music you may ask yourself? We say this is a form of  false worship to be warned of and to repent of as well for His glory.

See our post on false worship HERE.

Can't you see how far man will go once you leave God's Holy Ways? There are ridiculous videos on the internet showing a man who claims to be a Christian (he is a popular rap artist) leading a youth rally at John MacAarthur's body, yelling some rap lines, playing some rowdy and rebellious music as he jumps up and down all over the stage and entices the so called holy Christian youth to do the same. How does this meet the 1 Peter 1 call to be and act "holy" in all our ways? It is easy to see that this type of religious event may move people's emotions but the question we are going to seek is this; is it true and obedient to the scriptures example of God's Word as that really matters, for eternity? Jesus said this in John 4:24:God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth


We also see in the book of James 1 that pure religion is to :

keep oneself from being spotted by the world (and we propose this type of musical offering is of the world.)

So in order to have a pure religion (faith in God) let's look at what the bible gives us as an example of true biblical worship and praise from His people. What we will see in the New Testament is Christian saints using ONLY their voices to sing to the Lord. Our argument against using today's instruments, practiced choirs, worship teams, emotional music and mood setting ways is based on four points:


1) God was specific in His details on worship in the Old Testament

2) There is no bible command to use man made musical instruments in the New Testament 
3) There is no bible example to use man made musical instruments in the New Testament
4) Proof of history in the early biblical New Testament church

If you go to the Old Testament and read you will see that God was very specific in how He wanted things done and how He was to be worshiped and what items to do it with. He had the ark of Noah built to detail and His tabernacle and Temple were all to very set and specific ways, not to man's own ideas. Here are some verses as examples:


Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.  When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting

Numbers 10
(Can you see how the Lord gave specific instructions for His people and their interaction with Him?)

And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.  2 Chronicles 29

(Here we see how the Lord instructs activities in His temple regarding worship.)

Please realize the main point in all of this... God gives very detailed commands on how to do things regarding His people, obedience and worship of Him. But what do we see for worship activity in the New Testament church that Jesus created and the disciples lived out in their lives as worship?


The Apostle Paul tells us how we are to approach our Lord in praise and worship when we gather:


I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding1 Corinthians 14:1


be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,  submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:8

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

Colossians 3:16

What they sang was biblical and used to teach themselves the truth of God's Holy Word unlike what is sung and played today that often is very empty, unbiblical and void of eternal truth at all. By the above verses we see a pure and simple form of singing from the heart only.    Ephesians 5 tells us that the HEART is now the instrument we are to use.


Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.  

Ephesians 5:19

The words: making melody mean in the greek: psallo

to twich, twang, pluck, play stringed instrument, make melody, sing songs  

Websters says melody means: 

A sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds
A rythmic succession of single tones and organized as an aesthetic whole

Psallo is used 4 other places in the New Testament with the word 'sing'.


Now many people jump right in on this and claim that it means to play an instrument.  God's word does tell us what instrument that should come from: the HEART.  The melody should come from our heart, not a man made instrument.


In Matthew 26 we see Jesus Christ starting the practice of the Lord's Supper then after they were done;  they rocked out with some emotional body swaying tunes on the tambourine and the lute right?  No not at all they sang a simple hymn.


Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.


Do you see an example being set here and some clear commands on how we are to carry out gathered worship to the Lord? What is clear to see is that singing from your heart is indeed biblical worship but watching a show, going along with some worship leader, being moved by instruments and a practiced band is NOT the pattern for biblical worship the bible teaches, is it?


If you will do some research into the history of the early church you will see there was no instrumental music used  in worship for 1000 years. All singing was done acapella from the heart. It was the false roman catholic religion that started using instruments about 600 to 900 years after Christ was walking the earth and from there things grew into what you see today; a mess of anything that man likes and wants, as so called worship of a Holy God. Just about anything man invents, they now bring into the so called holy worship experience of God yet His Word and the early church gives is the only true example we should follow for truth in worship. 


One fact you must know:

True biblical worship is your entire life as a holy living sacrifice unto God (see Romans 12:1) so the idea of set worship services and events run by man to satisfy your worship to God is quite unbiblical and false. Many believe they are doing all they need to do by these false emotional events that often led to so many false conversions and very poor theology. They must be exposed for God's glory.  (See Ephesians 5:11) Why would you allow yourself and your religious places to go your own way? Will you say to the Lord; "we can improve on your ways God" ?

It is no small point that these simple songs from the heart were used as doctrinal biblical teaching and not to draw out emotional responses from the saints. We cannot tell you how many denominational places have the phrase "we are here to help you have a encounter with God" or "our music is designed to usher you into a worship experience with God". This is found NOWHERE in the Holy Word and it proves the desire to move people emotionally. It must be rejected and the truth be told lest people are being swept away by it and many will perish thinking emotional salvation is true salvation when it is not at all. So much effort is put into the musical show but the gospel, holiness and obedience to His Word are left behind.  Only the gospel can save a soul.  


Many are caught up in the false idea that the quality of the singing is what matters to God, but nowhere is that taught. God requires obedience in all things and in His people that claim Him. 


And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

Hebews 5:9

To practice worship music and then to think we are sounding pretty good puts the focus on us and others when it is to be on Him alone! If a man or a woman gets up and is the sole focus and attention as they sing or play, this leaves the holy example of the biblical body to sing unto the Lord and He is the sole focus not man.


Revelation 15:3 gives us a instruction and example as well of what heaven will be like:

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
Keep in mind that so many things will pass away from believers like praying, reading the bible, striving in Him and obedience to His truth but; singing will NEVER pass away in heaven will it?
(And there won't be any guitars, drums or smoke machines there either.) 
Now many argue with us on this topic and say the bible doesn't forbid it, that God doesn't mind, they did it in the Old Testament and we can indeed use whatever we like in our worship of Him and to Him. We would come back and say in love that here is what the Word says about itself for truth:
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth John 16:13

Question:

Has it guided us into the carnal emotional music of man for His pure and holy bride; the body of Christ or has it given us a better example to make us holy which means set apart for Him.

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God

Acts 20:27

Question:

Did Paul lie to us when he said he gave us the entire counsel of God's Word? Did he leave out how we are to use man made worship tactics as it is BETTER to use man's carnal ways in the worship of God? Or did he give us a simple and pure way to come to God in praise and worship using our entire lives and songs from our hearts, not from man's ever changing musical inventions?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3

Question:

Are you using ALL of God's Word to guide and instruct your holy ways and worship or have you been swayed by mans perverted system of modern religion that neither God, Jesus Christ while on earth nor His disciples ever gave us to follow; and even warned us about them?

In the end the fact is the Holy Word gives us a pure and true way to worship in a gathering (singing from the heart/no instruments) that most all reject today as they choose what pleases carnal man/people, fills up pews and soothes their itchy ears. We see God's Word spoke of this too in the last days.


For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:3-5

We would then (after studying what God's Holy Word says and seeing the examples of Christ and the saints) reject what is happening in religious buildings all over America as false worship teaching leading many astray. If you really desire to worship God and to be in His truth and His ways, you MUST reject whatever is not taught there. His people must not model the corruption that man has brought but cling to what God has written to us as His holy bride that He will return for soon. If you ignore such spiritual truths as unimportant there is a good chance you are one of the false converts (we once were ourselves), who don't desire full truth. We beg of you to get into the bible, reject man made traditions and repent to obedience for new eternal life to come in Jesus Christ.


A very important spiritual concept is to realize that the Old Testament was
the "outside to the inside" as there was no Holy spirit to work in God's people.
They used instruments to make music and worship from their outsides for their worship.
Once Christ came and the Holy Spirit was now "inside" believers as God's Temple.
He required that we make music and worship from the "inside to the outside". This can be applied to many other areas as well like circumcision (once the flesh now the heart) animals sacrifices (once killing them for a sacrifice and now being a living sacrifice ) etc...


Please see our post on Archetypes And The Shadow of Christ To Come.


One more thing to think about is that nowhere in God's Word does it tell us to listen to music.  He tells us to sing from the heart.

This post would not be complete without the gospel message (click HERE)  that alone can bring you into the light of His truth and out of false religion. Moving your body to cool music, following a system of faith designed by man, supporting those who put on nice sounding shows as they deny the Word, and you sitting in a pew exposing yourself to false ways will lead you to biblical ignorance and cause you to perish in the end. We pray you will reconsider it all for His glory!


Jesus told us He was our "solid foundation and our cornerstone" so why won't you go back to His holy example and leave man's ways today? Study His Word and compare all your ways to His Holy ways and set your mind on things above will you, not the things of man? Colossians 3:2


Let us know how we can help you in any way.



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