Union church of Christ

NO!  Because nowhere in the New Testament are we told to use them in worship.

This topic is very controversial, yet if we study the whole counsel of God with a sincere heart we can find the right answer.

All religous organizations are agreed that music has a place in the New Testament church,  But we must, "Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent." 

Remember that we are only concerned with the pattern of worship set forward in the New Testament, because we are no longer under the Old Law (Colossians 2:14).  Here is what the New Testament records about music in the early church, Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12, 13:15; James 5:13.  None of these verse mention instrumental or mechanical music what so ever.

Jesus Christ left instrumental music out of the worship.  Man has been warned not to add or subtract to the divine pattern.

The Bible teaches there are two kinds of commands, generic ("build an ark of wood") and specific ("build an ark of gopher wood").  Noah was told by God what type of wood he must use to build the ark.

If the New Testament said for us to "make music" then we would be at liberty to make music any way we choose.  The Bible is very specific and only tells us to "sing."  We do not need mechanical instruments to carry out this command.  Once again we must never add or subtract to God's word.

The study of music in the church is important and very interesting.  We urge you to study this subject further.  Because of the limited space available here and the vast amount of material on this subject, we are not able to provide all the facts needed to consider this subject.  But we are glad to provide more extensive information for you to study.  Please feel free to contact us.

In John 4:19-24, Jesus uses the Greek word proskuneo for worship.   This word means, "to kiss toward."  To worship God, symbolically speaking means, to blow a reverent kiss toward God.  Worship is clearly a reverent expression of the heart.

Worship is a verb and it was not designed by God for us to enjoy.  Instead, worship is something we do to express our feelings to God.  It is not something we do to make us feel good.

Other words for worship suggest that we are "to revere," (Mark 7:7) "to bow the knee," (Matt. 17:14, Luke 22:41) and give "service or homage (Acts 7:42; 24:14, Heb. 10:2).

Clearly the Bible teaches that our worship is something we are to do to please God, not ourselves.

Can worship be enjoyable?  Yes (Psalm 9:1,2).  But worship should always be done in a way that pleases God, despite what we want or how we feel.

The Bible tells us it is a sacred and holy event in memory of Christ (1 Cor. 11:23-25).  "In remembrance of me" is mentioned twice in this passage and once in Luke 22:19.  It is in memory of Christ, not only in memory of His death. but His birth, life, and teaching as well, that we eat the bread and drink the cup.

How often should the LOrd's Supper be taken?  The early Christians observed it on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).  From this verse we learn they gathered on Sunday for this occasion.  Since Sunday comes around every week, it is commanded that Christians partake of it every Sunday.

1 Corinthians 11:20 tells us they gathered together to eat the Lord's Supper.  Isn't it interesting that many religious people gather together every Sunday for singing, teaching, preaching and to give money, but fail to partake of the Lord's supper.  The New Testament church met every Sunday for this very purpose, why has man changed this habit?

Many religious groups teach that they can speak by inspiration and perform miracles.  There are many so-called Christian Televangelists who claim to have this "power."

Jesus performed miracles to establish the claim that He was the Son of God (John 3:2; 20:30).  Jesus restored sight to the blind, made the lame to walk, cleansed lepers, restored the hearing to the deaf, healed the sick, cast out demons, walked on water, fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes, and raised the dead.  The purpose for this many miracles was to produce faith in Christ.

Today there is no need  for manifestation of supernatural power to convine men of the divinity of Christ.  In the New Testament days there was no written gospel. 

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:8-13, that these gifts that the apsotles had would last only until the knowledge of the Son of God was completely revealed.  Paul told the Corinthians that these gifts would cease when the Holy Scriptures were completed (1 Cor. 13:8-10).  Therefore, the miraculous gifts have ceased.  To claim supernatural power today is to claim that the word of God is not complete.

Some religious groups teach and believe in a doctrine they call, "Once saved always saved."  Yet, every book in the New Testament teaches that one can fall from grace.  In fact there are 55 different scriptures in the New Testament that teach Christians can fall away (Heb. 6:6)

Jesus taught that some would believe for awhile but, in time of temptation fall away (Luke 8:13).  Judas was an apostle yet he certainly fell from grace (Acts 1:25).

Ananias and Sapphira were Christians and they obviously died in sin (Acts 5:1-11).  Simon believed and was baptized, yet he was in danger of "perishing," yet he was saved.  If he had not been saved, Peter would not have told him to repent of this particular sin (Acts 8:20-22).

Space does not allow for every scripture to be examined here.  But if you would like more information on this important teaching contact us and we will send you a copy of all the pertinent scriptures.

 No.  Why should man give allegiance to a creed that has been given for the same reason the Bible was given?  (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3)

The creeds of man become obsolete and are discarded for newer ones.  Yet the Bible is perfect and is the lperfect law of liberty (James 1:25).  There is a curse for any man who would attempt to add or subtract from GOd's word  (Revelation 22:18,19).  God's word is perfect!

• Any creed containing more than the Bible is objectionable.
• Any creed containing less than the Bible is objectionable.
• Any creed differing from the Bible is objectionable.
• Any creed exactly like the Bible is useless.                                                      

(From the works of Benjamin Franklin)

Human creeds are divisive and keep religious people divided into sects and parties.  Each creed builds a wall to contain it's own and exclude others.

Denominational creeds must go before unity can become a reality.  Division is sinful and in violation of a postive command (1 Cor. 1:10; 3:3). 

The Bible commands us to be united in the faith (John 17:21; Eph. 4:1-6; 13).