This past week I was in a discussion with a brother who very much liked my article addressing the Lord's Supper and mechanical instruments of music in worship. He agreed with my approach of Deuteronomy 29:29 is the best approach to the use or non-use of mechanical instruments of music in worship. He then thought the use or non-use of a church building fits the approach. I said to him, though I understood his point, they are not parallel because one pertains to God’s commands, while the other does not. Hear is that conversation (AS and RT represent the participants):
AS: Using or not using a church building is exactly parallel to whether we should use or not use musical instruments. The argument in both cases is the same. Those things are matters of hidden things (silence), and the NT authorizes other ways to make music and other places to meet. That is why I love Deut 29:29 so much. I leave the hidden things to God. With the things God has revealed, those are things I want to promote. I would like to hear more about what you mean. I’ll email you. Thanks for indulging me this way. I'd like to hear your thoughts on these topics. You said that some things deal with God's commands and some things do not deal with God's commands. 1) With music in worship, when it comes to using (or not using) instruments... does this deal with God's command or not deal with God's command? 2) With the Lord's Supper, when it comes to which days of the week Christians partake it... does this deal with God's command or not deal with God's command? 3) With the assembly of the saints, when it comes to what places Christians gather... does this deal with God's command or not deal with God's command?
RT: Numbers 1 and 2 deal with God's command to sing and to commune; number 3 does not deal with a command from God to have a building. The assembly is a matter of God's command, but the building is not. Using Acts 2:42 as the foundation, the breaking of bread is the LS, not a potluck or anything close to it. Since the apostle's teaching is a matter that comes from God (1 Cor. 14:37), that which they did in matters pertaining to worship is exemplar, as in Acts 2:42 and 20:7. In Matthew 26, Jesus commands "Do this..." To not follow the pattern set by the apostles leaves one open to do as he will. The assembly is a matter of God's command, but the place to assemble is not - it is an expedient. Andrew, you are asking the right question; I noticed it at the outset of this discussion.
AS: You said to not follow the pattern set by the apostles leaves one open to do as he will. Amen! Amen! The NT pattern is extremely important! I am assuming that you are saying that "God's command" and "God's pattern" are the same thing. Is that what you are saying? #1. About musical instruments, would you say that if anyone adds more than singing and the heart, would you say that they are doing those things according to their own will (not the will of God)? #2. In Acts 2:42, if the breaking of bread is the Lord's Supper, this verse gives an explanation about how often to partake of it. The verse says that this daily. If the apostles partook in Communion daily, then should we do the same? #3. You said that the place to assemble is not part of God's command.
RT: If (since) God has a pattern, and His Son is that pattern, then we are to abide by that pattern. Strictly speaking, "pattern" and "command" are not the same, in matters pertaining to God, they amount to the same thing. #1. The exhortation in Ephesians / Colossians is our command, our pattern. #2. 2:42 pertains to the overall structure to what first century disciples did, following the leadership of the apostles. The frequency of the LS is 20:7. In 2:44-47, is a summary of their heart's response to their daily activities as a result of their salvation. #3. To assemble is God's command, which implies a place. It does not imply a building.
AS: #1. Yes, I was thinking about those couple verses too. #2. Acts 20:7 mentions Sundays. Acts 2:44-47 mentions daily. Aren't both of these verses what the apostles established (patterned)? If not, why not?
RT: The 2:42 passage established the pattern approach; 20:7, with regard to the LS signaled the application of the memorial Jesus established.
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