This Issue...

• Is It Really Good For Our Children to Respect One who Supports Liberalism? (Lads to Leaders/Leaderetts, Inc.) -- Mark Mosher p.65
• Here And There... -- Garland Robinson p.66
• Why Do Churches of Christ Not Use Instrumental Music in their Worship? -- Dan Goddard p.69
• Mail Bag -- p.72

      One of the concerns I had with the support of the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. program had to do with Jack Zorn. After receiving some disturbing information about Jack Zorn from a reliable source I took it upon myself to write Brother Zorn and ask him some questions. The letter (dated July 9, 1996) stated:
        Dear Brother Zorn,
        I am writing on behalf of the elders of the Wesconnett church of Christ. We have been a part of the Lads/Leaderettes, Inc. program now for three years. This program has prompted a great deal of excitement, enthusiasm and involvement from both students and parents. Many have been impressed by the program and are looking forward to future involvement. There are a few that have brought some concerns about the scripturalness of the program and our involvement. We thought it would be good if we simply wrote and asked you some questions to alleviate any concerns.
        These questions were the ones asked of me and all preachers we support. We ask that you please answer these questions and return them as soon as you are able.
        In addition to these questions, would you please answer the following:
        1. What do you consider is the purpose of the Lads/Leaderettes, Inc. program?
        2. What would be your position with regard to the teaching and fellowship of Rubel Shelly, Jubilee, Jeff Walling, etc?
        3. Does the board furnish a financial statement of the Lads/Leaderettes, Inc.? If so, we should like to have a copy of that statement.
        Thank you for taking time to answer these questions. Our prayer is always that the work of the church will continue to prosper.
        In His Service,
        Mark Mosher

        Please check with pencil and sign.
        Yes __ No __ 1. Do you believe and/or teach the Bible to be the verbally inspired word of God?
        Yes __ No __ 2. Do you believe and/or teach that the kingdom and the church are the same, and that the borders of the kingdom do not extend beyond the church of Christ?
        Yes __ No __ 3. Do you believe and/or teach that the Holy Spirit operates only through the word in both the alien sinner and the Christian?
        Yes __ No __ 4. Do you believe and/or teach that instrumental music in worship is sinful and unscriptural?
        Yes __ No __ 5. Do you believe and/or teach that the Lord's Supper may be observed on any day other than the first day of the week?
        Yes __ No __ 6. Do you believe and/or teach that any accountable unbaptized person can or will be saved?
        Yes __ No __ 7. Do you believe and/or teach that God effected creation through an evolutionary process? Theistic evolution?
        Yes __ No __ 8. Do you participate in Union Worship Services with denominations? Do you believe and/or teach that such would be permissible?
        Yes __ No __ 9. Do you believe and/or teach that God gave a plan for man's salvation? That man must comply with the condition of His plan or be lost?
        Yes __ No __ 10. Do you believe and/or teach that one can become a Christian without becoming a member of the church of Christ?
        Yes __ No __ 11. Do you believe and/or teach that women may lead prayer or “testify” in mixed (men's and women's) classes or assemblies?

        We (The elders and I at Wesconnett church of Christ) then received a two-page letter from Jack Zorn stating why he did not have time to answer our questions. (Although the original letter has been lost, Charles Miller who was then an elder can verify that we received such). When we (The eldership and I) felt his answers were unsatisfactory, we asked him again to answer and on August 15, 1996 we received a fax which gave the pages of the official Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. rules with one statement having an arrow pointing to, “NO MEN WILL BE ALLOWED IN THIS (WOMEN'S) COMPETITION.” I thought it interesting that Jack Zorn singled out the area of women not leading over men. It is evident that he must receive many questions about this. No doubt because of the title “LEADERETTES.” It was evident to me and one other elder (Charles Miller) that he was not going to answer the specific questions asked. The others in that eldership were satisfied.
        It should never be a burden for any gospel preacher or Christian to answer Biblical questions so as to reflect one's soundness. Therefore on August 16, 1996 I telephoned Jack Zorn and stated to him that his fax did not help me to know where he stood. When I asked him about fellowship with Rubel Shelly he stated, “I have nothing to do with him.” When I asked about Jeff Walling he said, “I don't know who he is.” No doubt brother Zorn has not paid much attention to brotherhood issues. Evidently Brother Zorn does not read sound brotherhood publications. He informed me he was busy and I asked if I could call at another date. He said that would be fine. On August 28, 1996 at 1:30 p.m, I again called Jack Zorn and asked some pointed questions. I knew he attended Vaughn Park church of Christ in Montgomery, Alabama. I also knew the Vaughn Park church of Christ readily supported the Jubilee in Nashville, Tennessee. They stated in their bulletin, “Good News,” dated June 12 and 19, 1996:

The largest gathering of Church of Christ members in the Southeast will be taking place in Nashville this July 3-6. This year's Jubilee will focus on the need for Christian compassion. Jubilee has consistently featured some of the finest speakers in the brotherhood. You will be blessed if you are able to attend.
        A group from Vaughn Park will leave for Nashville early Thursday morning (July 4) and will return late Friday night. Those who wish to attend as part of this group may sign in the lobby (emphasis mine, kmm).

        The false teaching and false teachers at “Jubilee” have been documented and exposed by our brotherhood. It is beyond me how one can declare this event as one that will bless us. It is also beyond me how one could support a congregation that would support such.
        I also know that the Vaughn Park church of Christ refers to their ministers as “clergy.” Again in their bulletin, “Good News” they stated,

October has been designated as Clergy Appreciation month with October 13 in particular as a day to recognize and honor our ministers. Mark Howard, Mitch and Jim have dedicated their lives to serving our Lord and His Kingdom. They do a remarkable job serving the Vaughn Park church with the many demands that come their way. We are indeed blessed to have these men and their families working with us at Vaughn Park. Let them know how much you appreciate them.

        This use of “clergy” is sectarian and was answered by brother Guy N. Woods in “Questions and Answers, Vol. II.” I then informed brother Zorn that I had learned of the above information and asked him why he fellowshipped such. His first answer was that he looked at every congregation as autonomous and therefore tried to help the one he attended. Yet he quickly added that he is not at Vaughn Park very much due to the fact that he promotes the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. program. When I asked him how he could help them (elders at Vaughn Park church of Christ) out of liberalism and the support of it, he stated, he is “more concerned about teaching truth than going around the brotherhood and talking about who is wrong.” I then asked him how he intended to help the congregation. He responded, “I would protest to the elders.” I then asked what if the elders at Vaughn Park do not respond to your protest? He said he would seek another congregation. I asked why he had not already sought another congregation since he had been there a while and Vaughn Park continued to support liberalism? He stated that he and his wife liked the teachers and preacher there. Brother Jack Zorn continued to attend Vaughn Park for another four years.
        When you visit the web site of the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. you see many pictures of Jack Zorn. His name is on the material and on the award certificates. In the scrapbooks at Wesconnett the children have pictures that were made with him. He is held up as a model Christian.
        Further, money is an over-riding issue. To be a part of the convention one must pay a registration fee ($30.00 per child). For some time I was told that all this money went toward trophies and supplies and the use of the building for the convention. I requested a copy of the financial report and learned differently. The Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. receives the bulk of its operating funds from the conventions. Other sources of income are: contributions, public sales (a booklet for the Bible Bowl questions cost $19.95 and a diskette of questions cost $49.95), benefit dinners (On November 15, 1999 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham, AL., the 3rd Annual Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. benefit dinner was held in honor of General Norman Schwarzkopf. Tickets were $125.00/person or $1000.00/table of 8), summer camp fees ($150.00 per camper; sibling discount: first child $150.00, second child $125.00, third child $100.00), workshop fees ($500.00, plus traveling expenses, per congregation), and interest. The financial statement for 1997 (which I have in my files) showed a total revenue of $446,308.00, of that $249,222 was used for SALARIES (it is shown by the lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. that they are growing at a rate of 20% per year and have now three conventions for 2001; no doubt the income has increased greatly). It is most certain some of the convention money goes to Jack Zorn. Financial support is indeed a form of fellowship (cf. Rom. 12:13; Phil. 4:15). Is it good for the church and our children to use the Lord's money to support such?
        I asked an eldership, for example, if Rubel Shelly were president of the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. and we knew money from the church would go to his salary would we continue to support such? Their answer was, “If Rubel Shelly were president there would be a mass exodus of conservative congregations because Rubel Shelly was `a high profile liberal'.” To this I would agree. Many congregations would remove their support on such grounds. Yet do we have degrees of supporting liberalism? If the preacher is “high profile enough, as Rubel Shelly, is there (as Shelly taught) a “Big F” and a “little f? of fellowship? Certainly sound congregations do not have degrees of supporting liberalism! I remember one such instance where I received a notice from the Mandarin church (Jacksonville, Florida) stating that Jack Zorn would be conducting a workshop of the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. We had marked that congregation because of their unsound activities and fellowship. Knowing Jack Zorn's position of fellowship it was not a surprise to see him conducting such a workshop at a liberal congregation. The elders decided we would not SEND OUR CHILDREN NOR SUPPORT IT because we had marked them as being unsound in doctrine. Yet in April, 1996 we allowed our CHILDREN to attend a Jack Zorn reception at the convention. Is this confusing message really good for our children? We wish to have our young people strong in the faith and never to support that which is false. Yet they see inconsistencies on our part. How can this really be good for our children?

        EDITOR'S NOTE: The above article is just a part of one section in a new book by Mark Mosher titled: Is The “Lads To Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc.” REALLY GOOD For Our Children? Other chapters include: “A Brief History and Explanation of the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc.,” “Is the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. Really Good for our Children if it is a Human Organization?” “Is the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes, Inc. Really Good for our Children if we are in Fellowship with Liberal Congregations?”, “Is it Really Good for our Children to Compete in Matters of Worship?”, “Is it Really Good for our Children to Support all Modern Versions of the Bible”, Is it Really Good for our Children to Support Non-Christians Leading in Worship?”
       You may obtain a copy of this 57 page booklet for $3 postage paid by sending your order and check to:
           Mark Mosher
           1508 Elm St.
           Crossett, AR 71635.
           Ph. (870) 364-2321
           kmmosher@alltel.net
       

Table of Contents

        QUESTION:
        The Bible says to do all in the Name JESUS (Col. 3:17). What does this mean? In Matthew 28:18-20 we are told to baptize in the NAME being singular here father, son and Holy Ghost are roles and titles, not names. Would you agree? The name is JESUS. This is important because the Disciples baptized in the name of JESUS thus fulfilling the command of JESUS in Matt 28:19. The triune God did not start until the Nicaean creed in 325 A.D.

ANSWER:
        It is true that we must do all we do in the name of the Lord. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” I believe this verse must be followed in every detail of life, not only in worship, but in all of life. It is unavoidable. However, if this means we must literally SAY or SPEAK THE WORDS “in the name of the Lord Jesus”, then when you take a drink of water, you must say “I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Is that what you do? I don't think so. I don't either. When we worship, we do so in the name of the Lord Jesus, yet we do not pronounce the words “I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus.” That is understood by the ACT WE PERFORM, not by THE WORDS WE SAY. When police come to your door and say, “open, in the name of the law,” they are saying, “open, we have the authority of the law to command that you do this.” Every righteous act we do as the Lord's people, we do according to the authority given us by the Lord.
        When one is baptized, he is baptized in “the name of the Lord Jesus.” All that means is, we do what we do IN THE NAME OF, or ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE LORD. Baptism itself is performed in the name of the Lord whether we say the words or not. It's not simply WHAT YOU SAY, it's WHAT YOU DO. One could be Scripturally baptized and never say anything at the moment he/she is baptized. All the words or statements that need to be said have already taken place prior to baptism. That is evident by the fact that one desires to be baptized. By submitting to water baptism, the one being baptized and the one doing the baptizing recognize and understand that the act they are performing IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, that is, this act is being performed BY HIS AUTHORITY and UPON HIS DIRECTION AND COMMAND. However, we always tell those who may be observing what we are DOING by saying (or repeating) what the Lord told us to do in the act of baptizing. The act of baptizing is done according to the authority of the Lord; therefore, it's in His name we baptize. I, we, certainly do not baptize in our own name -- baptism is not according to man's authority.
        The Lord clearly said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST” (Matt. 28:19). I don't know how to get around that. I don't know how to explain that away. Every baptism in the New Testament was done according to the Lord's instructions in Matthew 28:19. Baptism was administered “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38), “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:12-13,16; 19:5), “in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47-48), “calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16), and 1 Cor. 1:13-17 implies the Corinthians were baptized in the name of the Lord. Several times we read of baptisms and nothing is recorded as to “what was said” (Acts 2:41; 8:36-38; 9:18; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21). HOWEVER, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, that is, THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT). Again, baptism is done according to the authority of heaven, not earth.
        The triune God, three persons making up one God, did not start with the Nicaean Creed. It started in the Bible as far back as Genesis 1:1,26-27. “In the beginning God” -- Hebrew God(s). Verse 26, “And God said, let US make man in OUR image....” Both of these are plural. Who was he speaking to? There are three persons in the Godhead. One God, yes, but made up of three persons. All three possess (and are) the nature of deity, therefore, one God, one deity. This is evident throughout the Bible.
        All three (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) are present at the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:16-17). If this is not so, then Jesus was the biggest trickster and best ventriloquist the world has ever known. If He wanted mankind to understand He was/is the only person in the Godhead, then he sure messed things up at his baptismal scene!
        The Father and Son were present at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt. 17:5) when the voice came out of heaven saying, ”...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” What else could Peter, James and John believe when they saw Jesus standing before them AND heard a voice out of the cloud saying this is my Son? That's two, no matter how you look at it.
        Jesus taught his disciples to pray unto the Father and ask in His name (Matt. 6:5-9; John 14:13-14). That's two.
        Jesus said he had to leave in order that the Comforter (Holy Spirit) might come. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the COMFORTER will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7). That's two, not one.
        All three are mentioned in John 14:26, “But the COMFORTER, which is the HOLY GHOST, whom the FATHER will send in MY name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 15:26 also mentions all three. “But when the COMFORTER is come, whom I will send unto you from the FATHER, even the SPIRIT of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of ME.”
        These examples could be multiplied over and over again from the Scriptures. But, the Bible only needs to mention a thing one time for it to be true.
        An excellent source of information on this subject is found in debate form. One such debate on the subject is The Jackson-Bayer Debate held in 1979 in Fulton, Mississippi. Jerry Joseph, jwjoseph@usit.net could possibly get you a copy of it.
               
               

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      “But sanctity the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16).
        This is a question that is often asked by visitors. As a matter of fact, I suppose this would be the most striking difference in a worship service at a church of Christ and a worship service conducted by another religious group.
        This difference is deliberate, not simply for the reason of being different, but because of certain basic and fundamental principles involved. Why do members of the church of Christ not use instrumental music in worship? Let's approach this calmly, sanely, and scripturally. I would like for everyone to agree in his own heart to think very carefully with us concerning this issue. It isn't something we can just say, “Oh, that doesn't matter.” It isn't something that is insignificant. It is a major point. It is a matter of faith. The worship of God should be with vocal music. We would like to share a number of reasons with you why this is true.
        First, let us notice the music in the early apostolic church. Instrumental music is such a common thing in worship services today that many people are surprised to learn they did not use instruments of music in the worship of the first century. There are many people today who are not aware of the fact that the addition of instruments of music in the worship came hundreds years after the last apostle had died. This was not for the reason that instruments of music did not exist -- for instruments of music existed years before Christ was born and instruments of music were found in the old Jewish worship. But, when we come to the first century and the establishment of the church, even though the church was being established right in the midst of Jewish worship where instruments of music were used, these instruments were not brought into the worship services of the New Testament church. It was not until hundreds of years later that someone had the idea of bringing the instrument into the worship of the church.
        Churches of Christ today are making a deliberate effort to be like the church was in the first century. We make no claim of perfection in this. We make no claim of having superior intelligence above other people. We simply make the claim that it is our plea that we go back to the first century and find that they did not have instruments of music in their worship. If we are going to be like they were, we will not have instruments of music in our worship either. It is just as simple as that. If there were no other reasons other than that we sincerely wanted to restore Christianity to its first century purity, then we would not have instruments of music today.
        But there are many people today who honestly believe it is all right to have instruments of music in the worship even though it was not found in the early church. They think it was not used then for any one of a number of reasons, but they have instruments of music today. They feel it is perfectly all right.
        But, why do we not have instruments of music in worship? Well, what kind of music is authorized in the Bible? Did you ever stop to answer that question? What kind of music is authorized in the Bible? I ask the question because there are different kinds of music. There is vocal music and there is instrumental music. Does the Bible authorize simply music or does the Bible authorize a particular kind of music? The Bible authorizes a particular kind of music. What kind of music is mentioned and commanded in the Bible? I am going to list Scriptures giving you the book, chapter, and verse having to do with music in worship and I want all to listen to see if we can determine what kind of music is mentioned or commanded.
        First of all, Matthew 26:30 where Jesus had just instituted the Lord's supper, we read, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.” Here we have the apostles and Jesus together and it is said “they...sung an hymn.” This particular passage would not be too relevant to our topic here because one could easily say, “Well, they just didn't have any instrument in the room where Jesus instituted the Lord's supper. That may be true, but it is significant that a particular kind of music is here mentioned.
        Next, we notice Acts 16:25. This is the case of Paul and Silas being in prison at Philippi. I point out to you that we are merely mentioning those passages that have to do with music in worshipping God and we are wanting to identify the kind of music which is mentioned and the kind of music which is authorized. “...And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Again, you might say, “Well, of course, they didn't use instrumental music in the worship there because they were in prison and had no instrument available.” I will grant it may be true that they would not have had an instrument of music, but the fact remains that a kind of music is mentioned here, and that is our purpose.
        Now, let us notice Romans 15:8-9. “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” Now we do not have a statement of something that someone did, but a prophecy as to what would be done, so we cannot say here that the instrument was not available; therefore, vocal music only was mentioned, because it could have been said, “I will make music, or will play upon an instrument and sing,” but the fact remains that it does say, I will “sing unto thy name.”
        In I Corinthians 14:15 the apostle Paul is speaking. “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.” The apostle Paul was not telling something he had done in prison. He is telling something he would do. He did not say, “I will make music with the understanding also,” but he named a particular kind of music, “I will sing with the understanding also.”
        Ephesians 5:19 states, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord.” What kind of music is here identified? Would it not have been possible for Paul to say that these people were to make music with all their hearts? Rather, what he said was that they were to speak to themselves “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Someone might raise the question here, “Does it not say that you are to make melody, that you are to sing and make melody?” They would suggest that is all they are doing in the use of a mechanical instrument of music -- that they are singing and making melody on an instrument. But, I point out to you that this Scripture does say that they were to make melody, but it identifies where the melody is to be made. It does not say to make melody on an instrument, but to make melody in the heart, or to make melody with the heart. They were to sing and the melody was to be in their heart. Here a particular kind of music is mentioned. They are commanded what to do and the command is to sing.

        Next, we turn to Colossians 3:16. “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.” This would have been another wonderful opportunity for the Lord to have said, “making music with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” but instead of that he specified the kind of music. He said, “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
        In Hebrews 2:11-12 it is written, “for both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” The subject of music is considered here. It would have been a wonderful occasion for him to say, “in the midst of the church I will make music and praise thee,” but instead he said, “in the midst of the church I will sing praise unto thee.”
        James 5:13 says, “is any among you afflicted let him pray. Is any merry: let him sing psalms.”
        Now, my friends, these are the basic scriptures in the New Testament where music is mentioned. What kind of music then would you say is mentioned and authorized in the New Testament? In the first place, we would have to say that vocal music is mentioned. In the second place, we would have to say that vocal music is commanded, for in the passages, which we have read, music was both mentioned and commanded. In every instance, a specific kind of music was mentioned -- vocal music. If we were to ask the question, “what kind of music is authorized by the Lord in His word,” I hardly see that we could say anything but vocal music -- singing praises unto God.
        To pursue this point a bit further, you remember that Jesus once said to His apostles, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: He that believeth not shall be condemned.” What I want us to see in this passage from Mark 16:15-16, is the fact that the Lord here specified that these men were to travel and to preach the Gospel. He did not tell them to walk into all the world and preach the Gospel, but he told them to go and preach the Gospel. Since he said that they were to go, specifying travel, but not specifying a kind of travel, we are free today to walk or to ride in a car or a train or a place or any way that we can go to preach the Gospel. If the Lord had said that we are to make music and to praise His name, then we would be free to use any kind of music. We could use either vocal music or instrumental music or both. But for some reason, the Lord did not choose simply to say, “Make music unto me.” He chose rather to specify the “kind of music.” Since He specified the “kind of music,” that excludes all others. If not, why not?
        I would indicate to you that Jesus talked to the woman at the well and told her (John 4:24), “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” To worship God in spirit simply means that me are to worship Him from the heart, that we are to be sincere, that we are to go about it knowing what we are doing and purposefully to worship Him. To worship God in truth surely means we are to worship Him according to the truth or we are to worship Him according to what the truth says. Now what is the truth? In John 17:17 Jesus said, “Father, sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” If the word of God is truth and we are to worship according to the truth, then we are to worship according to what the Bible says.
        The Bible says we are to worship with singing. It is to be vocal/singing. If we worship God in spirit and in truth, we will sincerely worship Him by doing that which He has told us to do. Matthew 15:9 says, “But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Here, people are said to have worshipped God in vain. The Lord will make that decision for Himself. I do not set myself up as judge to judge any man, but I do recognize what the Lord is saying here. He is saying that if I worship Him while I am teaching for doctrine the commandments of men, then my worship will be vain. Is the practice of instrumental music in the worship a teaching of God or a teaching of men? If it is a teaching of God, then you will have to be able to find somewhere in the New Testament where God has authorized it. There is not a single passage in all the New Testament mentioning instruments of music in the worship of God, let alone commanding that we use it in worship. Therefore, instruments of music in the public worship is a teaching of the doctrines and commandments of men. “But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
        Instruments of music in the worship service violate the law of faith. You remember in II Corinthians 5:7, the apostle Paul said “We walk by faith, not by sight.” When you have instruments of music in the worship, is this by faith or is it by sight? If anyone seeks to justify this practice, they will not turn to a Scripture telling them to use instruments of music, authorizing them to use it or even permitting them to use it. They will begin to reason that you can sing better with instruments, that it is really not worship, it is an aid, and all of the other reasonable things that they would present. But the Scripture says, “walk by faith, not by sight.” If a person wants to walk by sight, then that is his business. It will be between him and the Lord. But it will be in vain!
        We are answering the question, “Why do you not have instruments of music?” We do not use mechanical instruments of music in worship because we seek to walk by faith. But someone says, “Are you not arrogant and conceited when you say that?” No, indeed not. I make no claim of being perfect, but we do humbly say that we are trying to walk by faith and not according to the reason of the human mind.
        There is another scripture that ought to go with this, Romans 10:17. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” If we are walking by faith, then we must hear it from the Word of God in order for it to be admissible in our worship and service to the Lord, but you can't read anywhere in the New Testament where instruments of music are to be used in the worship. Therefore, one is walking by sight rather than walking by faith when instruments of music are used. Faith says, “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 unto the Lord,” So it is not arrogance when we say we are walking by faith. It is the simple truth.
        Why do you not have instruments of music in your worship? We do not have mechanical instruments of music in our worship because they did not have them in the early church. This is an historical fact. No one questions that. Instruments of music were in existence at that time, but for some reason they were left out of apostolic Christian worship.
        Why do you not have instruments of music in the worship service? We do not have mechanical instruments of music in our worship because of the kind of music which is authorized in God's Word. Vocal music is authorized. Instrumental music is not authorized. Since God specified the kind of music, that excludes all other kinds. Why do you not have instruments of music in your worship? Because God said that He is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. According to the truth (if you do that) you will sing and you will have vocal music only.
        Why do we not have instrumental music in our worship? Because it violates the law of faith. We walk by faith and not by sight and faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
        I hope you have read these points of reason and I hope you will consider from God's Book what worship to God ought to be.
                29511 Bock St.
                Garden City, MI 48135

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