OF WHAT DOES WORSHIP CONSIST? The American Standard Version at Matthew 2:8 has a reference to a footnote defining worship as follows: The Greek word denotes an act of reverence whether paid to a creature (see ch. 4:9; 18:26), or to the creator (see ch. 4:10). Worship, then, involves an act. It is incorrect to say that worship is simply and solely an attitude of heart. Inasmuch as worship consists of acts, it follows that such acts are as much involved in worship and are as essential to it as the attitude which prompts them. The Greek word for worship denotes an act ... paid. Worship involves an attitude, but an attitude which expresses itself in acts which find acceptance in the will of another. Worship, therefore, necessitates acts. The effort to disassociate acts from attitude in worship was born of the desire to escape the opprobrium (disgrace and shame) of adding unauthorized practices to the worship of God. Knowledgeable people who use instrumental music in worship are well aware of the fact that there is no authority in the New Testament for its use and they seek to avoid the charge of adding to the divine will by the allegation that, after all, worship does not involve acts but attitudes, and therefore the instrument is really no part of worship. The effort fails for at least two reasons: (1) We have seen that it is based on the erroneous concept of what worship is; (2) it does not elude, but merely postpones the fatal dilemma. For, this worship which is alleged to be solely a matter of the heart and expresses itself, not by divine law but by the will of the worshiper, is either restrained of unrestrained. If unrestrained, then the will of the worshiper becomes the sole arbiter of the suitability of the act thus leaving the one who worships free to resort to whatever expressions of it one desires. The pompous worshiper behind stained glass windows in a great cathedral, the Salvation Army lass with her tambourine, and the religious snake handler may all properly claim justification for their choices of expression. Acts 2:42 may be disregarded as the expression of the divine pattern, and thenceforth each of us may be governed by our own wishes and preferences in our worship to God. If, however, no will worship is acceptable but proper worship is restrained (as is the case, Colossians 2:20-23), we may inquire, What is the restraining influence? We are thus brought back to the place where we should have started in any manner involving our duty to God: What does the New Testament authorize us to do in worship? The early church, under the guidance of inspired men, continued steadfastly in the apostles teaching, which included singing, the Lords Supper, the contribution and prayers. These divinely given items are specifically said to have been the means by which the first Christians worshiped (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1- 2). Less than these we cannot not offer him and be in conformity to his will; more than these is an unwarranted and officious intermeddling with the will of God. It follows, therefore, that in this, the Christian age, the use of instrumental music is unauthorized and unacceptable in the worship of God. It was used in the Old Testament. Yes, along with the burning of incense, the offering of animal sacrifices and the practice of polygamy. These are not patterns we may properly follow today. The shadows of the old order have given way to the substance of the better way and under the clear light of Christianity such matters are conspicuous by their absence (Hebrews 8:6-13). Let it be remembered and never forgotten that our Lord never commanded the use of instrumental music in worship, no apostle ever sanctioned it, no New Testament writer ever authorized it and no apostolic church ever used it! [Guy N. Woods, Questions and Answers Vol. II, pages 149-150]
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 08:45:10 +0000
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