Zoe’s team won the President’s Cup in Indiana yesterday! They will go on to St. Louis to compete in the Midwest Regional in a couple weeks. While she played the Saturday game, she missed the championship game on Sunday.
Priorities (guest writer, Josh Welch)
The gift of tongues is spoken of multiple times in the New Testament. Mark 16:17 lists it among other miraculous gifts which would follow those who believe. The book of Acts says the apostles spoke with tongues (Acts 2) as well as the house of Cornelius (Acts 10) and the disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19). In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul mentioned the gift of tongues 12x in the three chapter context of 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14. Obviously it is an important Bible topic, and unfortunately one which is often misunderstood in today’s religious world. Let’s note a few things about tongues.
A Look At The Miraculous Gift of Tongues
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been engaged in three separate discussions on the use of instrumental music in worship. One of the folks I am conversing with asked me to consider Psalm 87 and a possible application to the church. I am confident that his inquiry is honest. I am equally confident, having studied the text, that it does not authorized the church to use instrumental music. Let’s consider the text here.
First, may I suggest that you read through Psalm 87. It will take just a minute or so, since it is only 7 verses long. Keep your Bible open so you can refer back to the content of the Psalm. I’ll reference it verse by verse as we study.
Does Psalm 87 Authorize Instrumental Music in the Church?There are some priceless things which come from the mouths of children. We’ve heard some great gems from a little boy we’ve babysat for the past few years. Some are humourous. He asked my why we always go to the grocery store. I told him, “to buy food,” to which he quickly retorted, “McDonald’s sells food too!” Some are touching. This past week, hearing that I injured a rib while playing hockey, he was in tears. When he saw me, he asked me not to play hockey again, saying, “because I don’t want you to get hurt again.” Another precious moment occurred when he commented on a Cheerios TV commercial using the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” In his mind, the song just didn’t match what was on the TV.. He stated with surprise, “Hey, that’s a Jesus song!”
That’s A Jesus Song! The Simple Faith of a ChildA Study of Instrumental Music in Worship – Part 4
We have previously looked at instrumental music in the book of Revelation, in the Old Testament, and in the rest of the New Testament. In Revelation, we found the instances of instrumental music deal with the heavenly realm and not the worship of the Lord’s church upon the earth. God commanded His people Israel to use instrumental music in worship in the Old Testament. But we are not subject to the Old Covenant. Coming to the New Testament, we noted tthat none of the occurrences of instrumental music therein address worship. Rather, every example or command to worship God in song calls for vocal, not instrumental music.
Instrumental Music in Antiquity and BeyondA Study of Instrumental Music in Worship – Part 3
We have in previous articles looked at instrumental music in the book of Revelation and in the Old Testament. This week, we focus on the occurrences of instrumental music in the New Testament, from Matthew through Jude. What manner of music is used in New Testament worship?
Instrumental Music in the New TestamentA Study of Instrumental Music in Worship – Part 2
In the search for instrumental music in the Old Testament, one need not go very far. In Genesis 4:21, we learn that Jubal, the offspring of Cain, is “…the father of all those who play the harp and flute.” Thus, we have the beginning of instrumental music described for us. From this point onward, we find references to instruments of music in numerous Old Testament passages.
People used instruments for various reasons: calling an assembly together (Numbers 10:1ff), commands in battle (Joshua 6:4), worship of false gods (Daniel 3:5), entertainment or celebration (Genesis 31:27), to give honour to the king (1 Kings 1:34), as a calming agent (1 Samuel 16:23), and in the worship of the God of heaven (Psalm 150).
Instrumental Music in the Old TestamentA Study of Instrumental Music in Worship – Part 1
In the religious world, there is a basic cognizance of the need to conduct ourselves within the confines of God’s authority. The apostle Paul, when writing to the brethren at Colosse implored,
“…whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Instrumental Music in the Book of Revelation
Does it make any difference what church we are a member of? Is one just as good as the next? Newspapers today tell us to “Join the Church of your choice.” The selection is amazing! There are large groups, small groups, charismatic groups, not so charismatic groups. Groups who use creed books and groups who don’t. Groups who use the Old and New Testament and groups who use only one or the other. The question we need to ask about church membership is not which group I want to assemble with, but rather, which group would God have me assemble with?
Is Church Membership Important? The Truth May Surprise You