My precious brothers and sisters in Christ. Unity is something I want too. The motive for unity is spot on, but using the instruments as the carrot seems a little off base. What else are we going to do in the name of unity? Yes, we have to be careful and base everything on scripture. My focus is on what God wants. I'm not going to get my feathers ruffled because some want to use instruments, and I will not judge anyone either. I will continue to worship the best that I can. I personally...through study don't see the scriptural backing.

Help me out....I've been back to the Old Testament at the time of David (II Chron. 29:25) and the 150th Psalm. Instruments were authorized/commanded in the Old Testament. "Praise him with stringed instruments..." Did you catch the "with." We just autmatically assume that this meant vocals and instruments together. Apart from that, the old system has been nailed to cross. So we venture to the New Testament.....

In the New Testament it shows music confined to singing. We are told the "how" of the singing, the purpose of the singing, the kinds of songs we sing, and it all revolves around singing. Now about instruments....Doesn't show up in the New Testament. Where is a command or an example? We would have to bring in the instruments from the Old Testament which the early church did not do. Hmm.. We know what God thinks of strange fire in Lev. 10:1-2. The wording is rather captivating in that passage..read it slow.."took each of them his censer, and put fire therein...offered strange fire before Jehovah, which had not been commanded." The Lord did not say "Do not use that kind of of incense but He told them WHAT to do." When did it become strange? He called it strange fire when something different was done than what GOD said. I'm sorry He was specific on sing. I don't write this stuff, but God does and I do what He says. He wants singing and He will get the best I can give Him.

I pray for all of you leaders out there. I love my brother's and sister's in Christ, and I am very glad that you are out there. I don't love you any less because we all don't see eye to eye on this. I can see how we can get swept into a motive to be one and then apply certain "instruments" to acheive it. Forgive me...I have to go with the Book.

Blessings to all

Stacey, thanks so much for your comment. You share your thoughts in a spirit of love, which has been lacking in some circles.

I too, want to go with the Book. So much so, that I can recall convictions from my teen years. My Dad and brother played guitar, sang and instilled a desire in me to play guitar, sing, harmonize and enjoy music. I have such fond memories of how we gathered in the living room to play music together.

I have the distinct memory of one of those happy occasions. We were singing and playing all kinds of songs (bluegrass, country, pop) and then we came to a hymn. I refused to participate. I was in essence, a conscientious objector. My reasoning was, if it is wrong to worship with an instrument on Sunday morning in the church building, then it is wrong to do so on Friday evening in our home. I later learned that many people who feel the instrument is a "salvation issue" have no problem with accompanied Christian songs in settings outside the church building. I do understand about deeply-held convictions --- and at least I was consistent in my practice. It has been difficult for me to understand how people can call it a "salvation issue" then turn around and listen to accompanied Christian music in their homes/cars/stereos, whether it is Bill Gaither or Amy Grant.

Years have passed and I have reached the belief that I was mistaken in thinking it was "forbidden" in the New Testament by its exclusion.

I am thrilled that more and more people are distinguishing this issue from much more important matters. I also feel it was a shame that our ancestors parted ways over this issue and am happy to see some reconciliation taking place.

Stacey, may God bless your loving spirit. Keith is right in saying that too few people have shown such grace to others on this topic.

Your study may never lead you to another conclusion than you hold now. However, to understand the scholarship behind the instrumental proponents, you may want to seek some written material that explains it.

For example, many scholars in our fellowship (CoC) would theorize that the old testament worship experience was not nailed to the cross. They would say that Jeus bore our sin to the grave but left the Old Testament example of how to relate to God as a guide for all time. They might say further that the Old Testament focuses on our failure to maintain relationship with God by our own devices and that the New Testament focuses all of its attention on the freedom that God's grace affords us. Such writers would typically say that the first century believers had only the Old Testament and the written and oral history that accompanied it to instruct people on worship. Finally, the writers might say that God dealt with things that needed fixing in the New Testament and left things alone that were working just fine.

In any case, I think it is wonderful that we can embrace each other regardless of whether we can embrace each other's worship theology. Considering Jesus' dedication of such a large portion on his Garden Prayer to unity in John 17, I think he appreciates your graciousness also.

Jeff,

I remain a student and happy to be your sister in Christ. I will look into the points that you and Keith have made. The worst thing that could happen is that I might just learn something, or spend more time in John 17. Sign me up. :]

John 17 is one of my favorites. This is what was on Jesus' mind at the end of His time here. Have you ever thought about what your last prayer would be about? I started thinking about that lately when I read this passage. Jesus was not just praying for those alive and existing at that hour but He prayed for us too. How awesome is that! He was above and beyond Himself.

Thankyou for your thoughts on the subject, and know they fell on listening ears.

Blessings on you,

Stacey