Music In The Worship - Frank Brancato

I want to say before we begin that please pardon my raspy

throat. I didn't have a voice this

morning and I'm trying to do the best I can to forge ahead and

push through it, but will hopefully not lose that again.

Let me Begin by first saying that when the Apostle Paul wrote

those things, as he was divinely inspired by the holy spirit in

both Ephesians chapter 5. And also in Colossians chapter

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention Colossians 3 · chapter mention

3, Three that in those passages of scripture, we are commanded

to sing. It's just talking about the

times when we would assemble with those of, like, Precious

faith and Worship the Great God of heaven.

But in those commands to sing, No player on any instrument, can

read in the New Testament. Any passage, which commands him

to play such an instrument. I realized today, that singing

and instrumental music in the church in the religious world is

a much debated. Issue that has been for many

years. We are talking about, though, a

religious question when we speak about something that is to be

found in the worship of the church.

So, all that being said, when we deal with religious questions,

we must understand that no question is settled, right until

it is settled according to the proper Authority and Nolan and

the proper Authority is none other than the New Testament for

all. All religious questions today.

You know, it can never be a matter of what you think can

never be a matter of what I think it can never be a matter

of what you like and certainly it can never be a matter of what

I like, we must always determine what the scriptures teach on the

subject and find out what is found in the New Testament.

When we talk about the church, we recognize that the church is

a new testament institution that institution there Raised up

Jesus Christ and no one else. It is not of Moses or any other

Old Testament Bible character. But Jesus Christ and him only

therefore, we must look to Jesus Christ in his last will and

testament and look to the laws that govern our work and worship

in the church. You remember that much confusion

arose in the early days of the church, over the effort of some

of the Jews to bind on churches, the ordinances of the law of

Moses. You know, and Wednesday night

services, we've been talking about the 14th chapter of the

book of Acts, we all were almost to the end of the fourteenth

chapter. But what we find in the 15th

chapter is there were judaizers that were entering into the body

of Christ. We're talking about people that

were Jewish by Blood and yet they were baptized into Christ,

they were members of the Lord's church and what they were trying

to do is they were trying to bind an ordinance from the Old

Law and and apply that to those Gentiles that would enter into

the flock. For example, we look back at the

history of the Jews, and the Jews had great disdain for the

Gentiles, because the Jews were God's people.

And so, when the Jews were converted to Christianity in the

back of their mind, no doubt. They still held some of those

biases and prejudices against the Gentiles.

So, this is what they said, there was a group or a sect, or

a faction of the church that were Jewish by blood that word.

Trying to bind circumcision on the Gentiles.

Another words we really don't have any other choice.

We have to accept them on the same terms concerning baptism

and salvation but we're going to add one more thing.

We're going to tell the Gentiles that they cannot be saved,

unless they are circumcised to the Apostle.

Paul had to address such issues. Somebody might say, well, what

about Timothy? Why did Paul encouraged Timothy

to be circumcised. What's the difference?

The difference was in circumcising Timothy, it would

cause him to have a greater influence for the cause of

Christ among those that are unconverted Jews, when he would

preach the gospel. Here's the point, and here's the

problem. The problem was those in Acts 15

were binding, the ordinance of circumcision on members of the

Lord's Church. Gentiles if you will and making

that a test of Fellowship, whether they would be accepted

or whether they would not be, but any part in any effort to

bind on Christians, the law of Moses or any other part of it,

results in a sect results, in a faction results in division.

Supporting instrumental music in the worship based upon Old

Testament practices is certainly no different.

Today let me make a very bold statement here that instruments

of Music are prohibited in the scriptures even though you will

not find a passage of scripture that expressly forbids the

practice of using instrumental music.

Now why do I say that? How many times has somebody said

show me the passage of scripture That expressly forbids, a

particular practice. Well, you will not find a

passage of scripture that says, Thou shalt not have instruments

of Music in the assembly. But I am saying this according

to the commands of the New Testament.

Instruments of Music are prohibited and violate God's

laws in the word of God. We have commands, we have direct

commands, but direct commands are often.

Times used with different terms. There are inclusive terms and

are there are exclusive terms, it includes the thing that is

commanded and at the very same time, it excludes all other

things that are not mentioned. For example, in just a little

while, some brothers going to come up here and he's going to

wait on the table and we are going to commune together with

our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

When Jesus gave the command and the Apostle Paul did too.

When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, he did this, he took one

loaf of unleavened bread and he said it is representative of or

it signifies the body of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Took only one cup and the cup was representative of the

New Testament or New Covenant by which we are bound and contained

therein. The cup is the fruit of the vine

and nothing else and the fruit of the Pine is symbolic of the

blood of Jesus Christ. Now what is the inclusive part

of that command? And that example the inclusive

part is one loaf one cup and contained therein the fruit of

the Vine. What is the exclusive part?

The exclusive part is everything else.

You cannot exclude anything else.

You cannot add anything else. When Jesus took one low-fat

automatically excluded two lobes.

When Jesus Took a piece of that bread and passed it around and

they all did the same. That's the inclusive part.

The exclusive part is, you can't break it down the middle and

send one down one side and the other down the other side.

When Jesus took one loaf of our one cup on that table, it

eliminated multiple cups. Individual cups of any variety.

And any number You know, there is a particular religion today.

I know a little bit about that because I lived next door to

them. When we were growing up, we

lived in Ojai And, you know, they actually believe that you

can use water on the Lord's table.

And I question that I said, but the Lord Jesus instituted, the

Lord's supper with grape juice and they said we can use 7Up if

we want to as long as we pretend, or as long as we allow

it to symbolize the blood of Christ, But when Jesus use the

fruit of the vine grape juice, it excluded, everything else and

anything else. We cannot add our favorite dish

on the ground that it was not expressly.

Forbidden, the command of baptized Believers in Mark, 16,

15 and 16. When Jesus says he that

believeth and is baptized shall be saved.

He that believeth not shall be, damned the inclusive.

Part who gets to be baptized for the remission?

Omission of their sins. They that believe?

And that that word belief, meaning more than just accepting

of facts, it means having the forced to obey.

So it includes those that are willing to abide by the

teachings, of the New Testament. Somebody hears, the gospel, they

believe it has the forced to obey.

They are candidates for baptism, that is inclusive.

What is exclusive? The unbelievers and everyone

else because to be baptized Direct prerequisite is to

believe having the forced to obey the commander saying

excludes any other kind of music even if it is not expressly

forbidden. I want to make this point.

It is a denominational position. It is a denominational position

which even some among our ranks as members of the body of Christ

have adopted. This particular Theory, this

particular practice, it is a denominational position that

whatever is not expressly. Forbidden is allowed another

words I want to add this practice, I want to do this

thing. I want to add this to our

worship service. I want to add that in my

spiritual life. I want to do things and you tell

me in the scripture where those things are expressly forbidden.

That is a denominational position and sadly even among

some they have adopted the practice of whatever is not

expressly. Forbidden is allowed, I like

what a brother said. One time though, when he said,

you know, I'm getting tired of hearing everybody say, show me

where it's wrong, show me where it's wrong, show me where it's

wrong. I'm waiting for someone.

That is, that is willing to adopt a brand new practice that

we've not seen before, or done before in the Lord's church and

tell me where it's right. Tell me where to write whatever

is not expressly forbidden. Oftentimes, it is the thinking

of today that is allowed, but in commands, we have generic and

specific terms to like, for example, in Matthew chapter 28,

Matthew 28 · chapter mention

and 19. And 20, Jesus says go ye

therefore and teach All Nations. Baptizing them in the name of

the father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to

observe all things whatsoever. I have commanded you And lo I Am

With You Always even to the end of the world Jesus gave a direct

command and what was that that we have to go to All Nations.

And we have to make disciples of all Nations.

We have to go and baptize them into the name of the father and

the son and of the Holy Ghost and then we must teach them to

observe all things. That Jesus said, I have

commanded you, that is a direct command.

With a generic term. You know what the generic term

is there? The generic term is the word go.

Jesus didn't tell me how to go, he just said go.

So guess what? I can choose to walk.

I can ride a skateboard. I don't want to do that.

I can even do that, I can ride a bicycle, I can ride a motorcycle

in the Philippines. It's filled with motorcycles

back. If you eliminated motorcycles,

they wouldn't get around. It's so expensive to drive a car

because gas is like $4 a gallon and they're not making anything

so you can just imagine how handy a motorcycle comes and you

find preachers riding their motorcycles everywhere.

They go to get around, that is scriptural, why?

Because Jesus didn't say how to go, he just said, go, I can ride

in a car, I can get on a bus, I can get on a train, I can even

do what I just did and get on an airplane and fly some 9,000

miles away from home and preach. the gospel and never violate the

direct command and the Great Commission because Jesus simply

said, go However, what if Jesus would have said walk to All

Nations, that would have been very difficult for all of us to

do, but if he would have said walk, we might with our human

reasoning and wisdom sit back and say, well, that's just

impossible. I'll just add this or all a bat

after all, there's no other way that I can get there, but if

Jesus would have said in a specific term to walk, I would

violate his direct command. If I rode that bike.

If I rode that motorcycle, if I got on a bus train plane or

whatever, because Jesus gave a direct command though, with a

generic term, we can choose the manner in which we travel but

let's go further music. The word music is in itself.

A generic term have the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5 and

Colossians. 3 said, make sure when you come together Have

music in your worship service. That would have been a generic

term and not a specific term and because of that, we could choose

all manner of Music, we could have had country western music.

We can have rock music, we would do that.

I'm just saying, if he gave a generic term that everything's

included, you can add it all in. You can have instruments of

music with a piano only with an Again, with the band with an

orchestra, you can do all manner of things.

If Paul would have said, have music in the worship because

that is a generic term, but Singh is a specific term and the

Apostle Paul said, that's the kind of music.

That's the only kind of music that is allowed.

From God's people, we would violate the commands of the

Apostle. Paul divinely inspired by the

Holy Spirit by having any other kind of music in the service,

other than singing authority to play.

The instrument is not found in any passage that commands us to

sing. Now I want to talk about a

common argument. I know I have a common argument

over here. By the way we're going to talk

about some specific things about this argument that was between a

Baptist preacher and a Church of Christ preach.

And some of the things that they said, here's another argument

though, for those that are Advocates of instrumental music,

they say I know that Paul said to sing but really it is an

expedient to have an instrument of Music.

Folks. How many times has somebody said

that some practices, the same thing as a songbook?

Well, same thing as having songbook if you say that that's

wrong within a song book is wrong, I contend right now, that

one of these things is an expedient and one is not.

But to those that are Advocates of instrumental music, they use

the word expedient, while refusing to understand its

definition, the word expedient though.

Means by definition something fit, or suitable to the end in

view for something to be a Bible.

Expedient, it has to be something that aids Us in the

end result of what is commanded. Now, it expedites the doing of

the thing that is commanded. Instrumental music cannot be an

expedient because it in no way assist the singing because it is

a different kind of music. What about a song book, though?

You know, we have people here but men here that can stand up

and grab a songbook. And lead a song when they've

never seen it before. I've always been quite impressed

by that I cannot But you know what?

I even I understand I understand the elements are the things that

are involved in singing. What is involved in singing, I'm

not talking about any other kind of music I'm talking about

singing, the two things that are involved.

Very simple, I know, but words are one of them and the tune is

something else. A song book gives us an

expedient to do just that it tells us the words and it guides

us through the tomb. For a song book is an expedient.

The essential idea and the singing that's required by Paul

was teaching and admonishing and making melody in the Heart.

Instrumental music does not Aid Us in doing any of those.

Therefore it cannot be a Bible expedient, if one wishes to make

a noise or a particular sound than an instrument of Music

could be an expedient, but if we are going, as one man said, one

time, if we are going to follow, what the Apostle, Paul

commanded. Instrumental, music is a

hindrance. How many times has people

argued? Well as just a small Edition?

After all, we're still worshipping, we still mean.

Well, but when we look to additions to worship, the Bible

says, about the things that were written of old, or a four-time

in the Old Testament, were written for our learning.

So, let's learn and Deuteronomy chapter 12 and verse 32.

Deuteronomy 12 · chapter mention

The Bible says what things soever, I command you, that

shall You? Observe and do Thou shalt not

add thereto nor diminish from it.

Simple. If we are going to worship God,

we can't add to the worship and we cannot subtract from the

worship. Perfect.

Examples of these is a very familiar example, is found in

Leviticus chapter 10 and the first seven verses there with

Leviticus 10 · chapter mention

made a Banda by Hugh. That is a perfect example.

These men were priests. It was their business to do the

things that are commanded in the Tabernacle worship and as far as

we know, they did all of that. What's the problem?

They didn't subtract from anything?

They added something to it. Was God, pleased.

No, the Bible says that God provided fire that devoured

them, right then. And there, before God, they

mixed a worship. They added with the Lord had not

commanded. Another example with Cain and

Abel. In Genesis, chapter 4 Abel,

Genesis 4 · chapter mention

offered the sacrifice that God commanded.

And therefore he was approved, King substituted something of

his own choosing and because of that God refused to accept it,

God. I will accept no worship that he

has not appointed. God, commands us to sing and no

other form of music will do. I've said all of those things to

lay the groundwork before we look into the definitions and we

look into the specific wording. That's the founding the

scriptures that is used by Paul. First of all, the phrase in the

King James version that says, speaking to yourselves in

Ephesians 5:19 is better translated speaking to each

Ephesians 5:19

other or as its found in The New American Standard speaking to

one, another Paul gives us this instruction.

And when we realize the praise that we are directing toward

God, when we come together in the assembly and direct our

praises to God. We are also doing something with

each other. We are edifying.

One another, we are teaching one another, we are encouraging one,

another in the Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are songs,

then need to have lyrics that share truth, and that can be

understood. You know, there was a song that

used to be in that sacred selections book.

Maybe it's an others too, but it's talking about the

resurrections talking about the day of judgment and I've seen it

written. Two different ways.

I've seen it written on that bright and glorious morning when

the dead in Christ shall rise. And I've also seen it in books

on that bright and cloudless morning.

When the dead in Christ, shall rise.

I think glorious is better than cloudless, because the Bible

says, in Acts 1, Jesus is coming back with The clouds.

Now when songs in the end the song book talks about heaven, it

talks about a cloudless place that is scriptural.

But when we talk about the morning of the Resurrection,

whatever that's going to be we realize it has to be with clouds

because that's how Jesus is coming back.

So, the lyrics have to be true. They have to be true.

They have to be accurate. Also, they must be understood.

You know, there was a meeting, we all went Years ago, a big

meeting. And I'm so glad this brother did

that. I've never done that, but I'm

sure I should have because I would imagine that I've LED

songs over the years in my lifetime and maybe there was a

word or two. I didn't know what they were,

but there was a brother that got up and there was a word that we

don't commonly use. And he got up, and he said this

word, means this, before we sang the song, he said.

So now we can sing with the understanding.

Also, we need to understand what we are singing and those words

must be true and must be correct in 1st Corinthians chapter 14,

beginning in verse 15, more words of the Apostle, Paul when

he said, 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 else. When thou shalt bless with the

spirit. How shall he that occupy?

At the room of the unlearned? Say, Amen at the giving of

thanks seeing he understandeth. Not what thou sayest for thou

barely give us. Thanks well, but the other is

not edified. I thank my God.

I speak with tongues more than you all yet.

In the church, I had rather speak five words with my

understanding. That by my voice.

I might teach others also than ten thousand words.

In an unknown tongue. We have to understand.

Let me just give you a little aside here.

In the Philippines. They don't speak our English

language fluently though. They speak some, they all speak.

So but when we come together on the Lord's day when we come

together and we assemble with the large Church in the

Philippines on the Lord's day and when we commune, we need

brother do now to translate everything being said or we

cannot say Amen, we can't say, Amen, do a prayer.

We can't do that. Unless we understand when we

come together and worship, we need to sing with the

understanding. Standing.

And by the way, we do that the Philippines because the tunes of

the songs are exactly the old songs that we know, and we just

sing the English words. I got a kick out of town

Bonifay. He was sitting there trying to

sing it in Tagalog. He is no way mean.

A song. I got a kick out of that you got

to sing with the understanding also.

We need to have lyrics that we understand, and that are true.

Now, please notice that, even though speaking to one another

suggest congregational singing, and it does, now, please get

this point, we must not assume that worshipful singing is

limited to the assembly. I don't believe it.

Although I've heard it taught in my lifetime at some point in

time. I've heard it talked that we

cannot sing the songs of Praises.

Other than in the assembly, worshiping God.

I don't believe that at all. I believe in James 5, when the

Bible says, is any merry let him sing Psalms?

I think the Bible is saying if you're married, Go, sing now in

the command, in the Lord's Church, it doesn't say if you're

in a good mood, you're happier. I marry then singing The Worship

it says no it doesn't make any difference what your day is.

Like it doesn't make a difference, what your mood is,

how you feel, you come together and you will sing and you will

do it together and you will do it with the melody in your

heart, and you will do it in these Psalms hymns, and

spiritual songs, you will teach one another and admonish one,

another and encourage, and instruct one another in doing.

So that's a command James. 5 is any merry?

Let him sing. Psalms folks, we get together.

Together this afternoon. And we can gather around

somewhere and sing, we can go to my house.

We can sing, we can go to a big meeting and sit around a bonfire

and sing these songs of praise. Another thing.

There are no absolute distinctions that are drawn

between the different types of songs that Paul talks about

notice. First of all, Paul says the word

Psalm, this is a very misunderstood word of among

those that are Advocates of instrumental music.

Now, the word Psalm as described by mr.

Strong is defined like this. It is a Pious song.

It is a song of Praise. But somebody might say, no, wait

a minute. What about the original

definition? What about what faier says

about? The original definition of the

word. Psallo, what about that?

Because that word means to Twitch to twang to strike or to

pluck, but I'm going to tell you something.

If we're going to quote Fair, we better keep quoting because on

page six hundred seventy five of his greek-english.

Lexicon of the New Testament, this is what failure said this

is the same scholar. That said, it means to Twitch

twang strike or pluck in its origin.

They are gives many different nations of the of the Greek

word, psallo. From which we get the word saw

most, which is translated in the English language as Psalm.

This is what Fair says in the New Testament The word means

this in the New Testament, every time, it means to sing A Hymn,

it means to celebrate the Praises of God in song.

And then it says, Ephesians 5:19, James, 5:13 and Romans 15

Ephesians 5:19

and 9 Bollinger, another Greek lexicographer.

After giving the definition of the word, he said this it is

only in the in the Old Testament.

Emmett worship that musical instruments were ever.

Used, not in the New Testament nor in the early church.

Justin Martyr expressly says that instrumental music was not

found in Christian worship, JW McGarvey, one of the greatest

Scholars the world ever. Produced said this, When any man

says that by the word Saum Paul meant to authorize instrumental

music and worship is what McGarvey said?

He is a s'matter ER, in Greek who can believe anything, that

he wishes to believe because when the wish is father, to the

thought, true exegesis is like water on a duck's back.

If your hope and your desire comes before the thought of

understanding, then true exegesis or true understanding

the context of a passage is like water going off.

A duck's back, you will never understand what the word of God

teaches on the subject. When Paul said sing Psalms, the

instrument to be touched Twang and so forth is the heart.

And not a mechanical, instrument Paul said, make melody in your

heart to the Lord. How do you do that?

You do that by singing? A song of Praise.

What? About the word him?

You know, in the religious World, a lots been said about

the different words that Paul is using and saying, well, you

know, there's different words and they use this This word to

authorize instrumental music. We've proven that was never in

the New Testament. It doesn't mean that the New

Testament, so we can't do that. What about the other words?

The other words for example, the word him strong says, is a song

written in praise to God. It is a sacred song.

Matthew 26 and 30 is cited. And when they had sung A Hymn,

they went out into the Mount of Olives acts 16:25 and at

Acts 16:25

midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang, Praises unto God, and

the prisoners heard them. As a great example, they weren't

worshipping God in an assembly. Hey, weren't worshipping God in

the assembly. They were in prison.

In fact, it would have been unscriptural for them to Worship

in an unscriptural way. We're not talking about the

worship service here. We're talking about a time when

they were in prison at midnight and they were praying to God and

they were giving God the praise and they sang songs of praise

and they did so loud enough that other people that were

prisoners, heard them sing it. Singing A Hymn so you can sing

hymns, you can sing what we often times call church songs.

Anywhere you want to according to the scriptures Hebrews 2 and

12 says, I would declare thy name unto my brethren in the

midst of the church. I will sing praise unto thee.

That's the other side. You can do it away from the

church and you will do it in the Assembly of the church.

What about spiritual songs? Strong says, spiritual songs are

songs belonging to the spirit or songs that have spiritual

themes, you know, I gave you a variety of definitions and

really, there's no tremendous distinctions between the Tom's

and between the names that Paul gives there.

Throw no great distinctions between all of those.

There are no absolute distinctions that are drawn

between the different types of songs that Paul listed.

But you know if somebody was going to misunderstand or what

Paul was talking about and somebody didn't know what those

words mean, Paul clears it up by saying next the kind of music

that's to be had and that is singing.

He says Strong says the word. Singing means to sing with

voicing words in musical, tones involving Musical modulations

and inflections. You know, there are many

different unique forms of singing from different parts of

the world. I mentioned the Philippines,

just a, just a little bit ago. They do sing a little bit

differently to style, which they sing you can go to Africa.

And I've heard recordings in Africa, the Africans Terry's

been there. Where they sing.

It doesn't quite sound exactly. Like, we sing the stylist, So

forth and so on, in the manner we sing in harmony, we sing good

parts. But, you know, when we sing with

the spirit and we sing with the understanding also and we sing

words that are true and accurate and correct.

And we do so, according to the Scriptures, it doesn't make any

difference if we were in the Philippines.

If we are in Africa or were assembled here at plans Road and

sing as we sing, all those matters of singing and song is

acceptable in the eyes of God equally, so The key is this, in

our singing, it is a message and attitude and our sincerity

rather than the style that's important.

We must choose songs that are for their appropriateness and

spiritual content and the melody is made in the heart.

The heart as Thayer says, is the seat of our spiritual life.

It is the source of our thoughts, the source of our

passions and the source of our desires.

It is our Inner Man. It is our Spirit with which we

sing and the words that we sing are to originate from the

thoughts and feelings of our heart.

We sing with the spirit. And we sing with the

understanding also. You know, I never did understand

how someone thinks they can worship in spirit and in truth

and sleep. During the singing, I've seen

people do that maybe you have to sleep during the day, That's not

an item of worship that we get to decide if we're going to do

or not. We sing with the spirit, we sing

with the understanding we do. So in truth, We sing with the

melody that's in our heart and one more thing along this line

before moving on, there are many words in the New Testament that

are used symbolically or figuratively that have different

meanings in the Old Testament. For example, I have on the board

there, I have circumcision. Now, I just mentioned in Acts 15

about circumcision under the Old Law of Moses.

We are talking about literal circumcision and that was a

covenant agreement, or Covenant relationship.

That was bound upon the men, the people of God, under the law of

Moses, but we don't have literal circumcision.

But this works circumcision is found in the New Testament.

What is it? The Bible says, it is

circumcision of the heart. There for circumcision is not

used, literally in the New Testament it is used

symbolically. It is used figuratively.

Sacrifice was used, literally under the Old Law in the old Old

Testament, they had blood of bulls of calves and of goats and

so forth and so on we no longer have that because Jesus was our

great high priest and it is, and Jesus was the Supreme sacrifice

there for you and I don't make any more animal sacrifices in

worship to God. That is done away with but The

word sacrifices in the New Testament.

We make our bodies, Our Lives, a Living Sacrifice.

Used symbolically or figuratively.

What about altar? We don't actually come to a

literal Altar and offer a sacrifice in a place of honor

and worship to God at an altered literally.

But the word altar is used in the New Testament.

In fact, remember what Jesus said.

If we are going to apply what Jesus said to our life today,

then we need to understand what he's talking about or what is

used symbolically when he said when you can.

When you remember in your mind that your brother Has fought

with you, leave your gift at the altar and go be reconciled to

your brother and then come back to the Altar and make the

sacrifice and we don't have a literal altar.

We don't have a literal sacrifice but we do have worship

when we come together to worship.

Altar being used symbolically for that.

I said that to say this, it is misleading.

Then to force, the ancient literal meaning of solow on to

the New Testament text to justify.

Fi instrumental music. Even if solow were to carry the

meaning of plucking or striking a chord, then contextually, the

instrument is the heart and nothing else.

Finally, a common argument. A Baptist preacher was engaged

in a written debate with a Church of Christ preacher.

And these were the examples that were used in his final argument.

He introduces the harps in heaven that are found in the

Revelation letter, to prove, the use of instrumental music in the

worship of the church. He says, this if it's in heaven,

and we're going to worship in heaven for all eternity and it's

acceptable in heaven, than why can it not be in the church

isn't a church, the Earth. The institution of the Heavenly

Kingdom, don't we believe that the church is what will be

handed over to God in heaven and will worship God.

For all eternity. And Jesus Christ will step down

from the throne and God will reign forever and ever that God

will be all in all. This fellow leaves the

impression that these were literal Harps.

He cited Revelation. 589 Revelation 14 2 and 3 in

Revelation 15 2 & 3. However, if the harps were

literal by the same rule of interpretation, you know what

else is literal horses? There's literal horses in heaven

and they are white red, black and pale, according to

Revelation 6 and verse 8. But let's examine I'm in the

text to see whether these Harps were literal or were they

symbolic in Revelation, 5 and 8, whatever.

John saw it was defined as the prayers of saints.

In Revelation, 14 2 and 3. John doesn't say anything that

he saw, in fact, whatever it means in the text.

It was something that he heard and not something that he saw,

what he heard was the Bible says, a great voice as the voice

of Harper's harping with their Harps.

He never said I saw Harps being played in heaven.

He said, I heard sound I heard a great voice and that great voice

was as the sound of Harpers harping with their Harps used

figuratively. Their Revelation 15 2 and 3 it

speaks of something that John saw among the things that he

saw, he saw a sea of glass, mingled with fire.

Fire. I don't think we really think

that literally, there's a sea of glass mingled with fire in

heaven. I believe we can look at that

and be for a symbolic meaning. No one can actually believe that

literacies of glass and mingled with fire in heaven.

Neither can we look and find that there are literal Harps in

heaven? Also, when a trumpet is being

used in The Book of Revelation, it's a time when a woe is being

pronounced. Or an announcements being made.

Not for the melodious sound of it.

And not so that they can have a good tune.

So the angels in heaven can sink.

These are symbolic. In their context. the final

argument was this, I mentioned just a moment ago briefly, but

all this will be my final Point. His final argument was, if it's

in heaven. Then it has to be.

All right, to be in the church. Let me ask you this.

You believe that infants are going to heaven?

You believe little babies are going to go to heaven.

I think and hope we all do. Little babies don't have any

sin. We got a little guy that we

think is going to be there one day.

Among all of those that have died as children, among those

that have been killed and abortion clinics.

These are living Souls. What do you think they're going

to heaven? I believe, with all my heart,

they're going to heaven and they were not in the church.

Because to be in the church you have to first be in sin.

And if you're a baby and you don't know how to sin, you

cannot send therefore you need no.

Remission of your sins. We don't baptize babies because

they were born with the depraved soul and we believe, if they are

innocent, they are pure and they are saved.

Without becoming a member of the Lord's Church.

Because Acts 2 tells us how you become a member of the Lord's

church. It's when you repent repent of

what your sins your life, how can a baby do that?

They can't you repent, and you are baptized in the name of

Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.

And when you do that, the Lord automatically adds you to his

church. That's a pretty weak argument

that if it's in heaven, it's got to be okay to be in the church.

Those little guys are going to heaven folks and they never ever

came forward during an invitation were baptized in

water. One more thing, what about

somebody that lives until they're 60 years old or so?

But mentally, they don't have the capabilities of an adult.

The capacity of an adult may be mentally, they are as children,

they're maybe they're six or seven years old mentally.

They're not accountable. They can go to heaven to without

being in the church because there's no way that they could

be of the mindset to make the determine choice to sin.

You know, are Tanner is getting older.

Taylor's already obeyed, the gospel.

But I've used this example, I can't use it with Taylor

anymore. She's known to church now or

Anthony. But I remember using this as an

example. They know these kids that are

that are among us, they know what's right and wrong because

what, their parents tell them is right and wrong.

Not because they made a moral choice, but there Comes A Time

in their life when they will make a moral choice.

They will. Make a choice, whether this is

wrong or that is wrong. I guarantee you every kid that's

ever grown up in any house. Doesn't do things when they're

young because they're afraid to get in trouble.

Not because it's wrong necessarily but over time they

learn and then they when they learn and know the difference

they are accountable and then when they make the choice to do

that, which is morally wrong or wrong in any other way they sin

and therefore sin is in their life and they need permission

from those sins. We car Omit.

If in heaven, it's got to be in the church.

Well, as we pointed out today, hopefully clearly the only music

in the worship that's acceptable in the eyes of God, is when we

come together congregationally and sing as we have done today.

No instruments of Music are allowed.

They are prohibiting in the worship and the only thing we

are plucking and twanging is the instrument of the heart.

We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the

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