Only one true church in the bible.

[dcontroversal]

You believe that baptism is necessary for salvation.

About 20 years ago We had a lady in our church that cared for a young man that had been paralyzed in an auto accident.
As she sat with him and cared for him, she witnessed to him and he accepted Christ as his savior.
He very much wanted to be baptised but his doctors said it was imposible because of his medical problems.
He was a minor and his family also said no.
This young man died at 20, but during the last 3 years of his life, he led his parents, his doctor and several others to the Lord.
If what you beleive is true, this young man is in hell today.

The God I trust and love and try to serve, does not sent a person to hell just because that person cannot or has not been baptised.

I agree and will add that Jesus said clearly that if you acknowledge my name and faith before men...I will also acknowledge you before My Father which is in heaven. (paraphrase)

 

[Shava]

You believe that baptism is necessary for salvation.

About 20 years ago We had a lady in our church that cared for a young man that had been paralyzed in an auto accident.
As she sat with him and cared for him, she witnessed to him and he accepted Christ as his savior.
He very much wanted to be baptised but his doctors said it was imposible because of his medical problems.
He was a minor and his family also said no.
This young man died at 20, but during the last 3 years of his life, he led his parents, his doctor and several others to the Lord.
If what you beleive is true, this young man is in hell today.

The God I trust and love and try to serve, does not sent a person to hell just because that person cannot or has not been baptised.

Baptism is for people who understand they are sinners and need forgiveness and know who Jesus is and why he died on the cross and that he is the Son of God, with that knowledge the person is ready to be baptized. As you said if all avenues have been attempted to have the person baptized and the Dr. feels against it for medical reasons, I to have no doubt that he is saved

 

[dcontroversal]

Baptism is for people who understand they are sinners and need forgiveness and know who Jesus is and why he died on the cross and that he is the Son of God, with that knowledge the person is ready to be baptized. As you said if all avenues have been attempted to have the person baptized and the Dr. feels against it for medical reasons, I to have no doubt that he is saved

I agree he was saved, but I have serious doubts as to the reason being attributed unto a pass given to baptism by a Doctor.....as baptism is a (PICTURE) (PAINTING) of what has transpired (INWARDLY) through saving faith!

 

[Shava]

i think you should spend a little more time in the world and not in that little white church where everyone agrees that they are saints and the music playing dancers that surround them are hell bound sinners. maybe i've seen a little too much of the pain in the world to believe that god is offended by someone playing a piano while giving him praise. read your bible and pray. then get to your feet and look at the kind of things jesus saw as he walked the dusty roads of roman palestine. if my playing "jesus loves me" on my harmonica to a bunch of muslim kids here in china offends god then then he must not be watching things here very closely.

Keep on playing that harmonica, I'm sure it sounds great. But the fact remains, God has his way and that's what matters to me when it comes to worshipping him, that it's done his way.. Ephesians 5;19 and Colossians 3;16

 

[Shava]

[/B][/U]I agree he was saved, but I have serious doubts as to the reason being attributed unto a pass given to baptism by a Doctor.....as baptism is a (PICTURE) (PAINTING) of what has transpired (INWARDLY) through saving faith!

hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Comparisons

It can be shown that these two books were written about 62 A.D. by Paul (Colossians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1) during the time of his first Roman imprisonment. Since the books of Ephesians and Colossians are very similar in many aspects, one would expect these verses to also be very similar in structure and message. Ephesians tells us to “be filled with the Spirit” while the Colossians passage tells us to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within” us. Ephesians tells us to “speak” to one another while Colossians tells us to “teach and admonish” one another. Both give three different kinds of songs – “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” A psalm is a song from the book of Psalms, a hymn is a song that praises God, and a spiritual song may not offer praise to God, but rather it exhorts Christian. Even though it is not a song that praises God, it is a song about spiritual truths as opposed to a song that is secular in nature. God, not only wants songs that praise Him, He wants songs that teach, admonish, and encourage Christians in their Christian life. Both passages also exhort us to sing with “thanksgiving.” Christian hearts should be filled with thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. Since that is true, one wants to express that to the One who gave us those blessings. Both passages also indicate that the singing is worship because each says that the singing is addressed “to God.” Worship is accomplished when one dedicates the thoughts and intentions of his heart and mind to God. Worship must be intentional. Even though the brethren who participate in the singing will be educated and encouraged, the purpose of singing is to honor and glorify God. The word “sing” indicates that it is oral, while both passages indicate that the melody is from or in the heart.

Notice also that in both passages the phrase “in the name of the Lord Jesus” is found. In our society today, as it was in that day, when one does something in the name of another person it indicates that he has authority from that person to do it. Thus the phrase, “in the name of the Lord Jesus” indicates that singing is done by the authority of Christ. One can find a parallel to this in the Old Testament where instrumental music was authorized by God through similar language. The writer of II Chronicles said, “He then stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with harps and with lyres, according to the command of David and of Gad, the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from the LORD through His prophets” II Chronicles 29:25. Here, one finds authorization from God to use instrumental music in worship during the time that the Mosaical law was in effect.

Therefore, worship through song today is not just because it comes from human emotion. It is authorized by God. Not only does Paul say that we must have authorization from God to sing, he also said that whatever one does to worship God must be done by God’s authorization (Colossians 3:17). This is the root of the problem in the religious world as a whole, and even in our own brotherhood. Men no longer believe that they have to have authorization for whatever they offer as worship. Too many today believe that God accepts anything that man offers and therefore if man likes it, God must like it.

Even though the purpose of singing is to worship God, a by-product is the edification and admonition that comes to those who are worshiping. As Christians worship God, they also encourage one another to continue to live a faithful Christian life and motivate one another to live so as too be given a heavenly home.
What motivates one to do something is very important in all aspects of life. Paul begins the discussion on worship in song in Ephesians by talking about motivation. He contrasts worldly motivation with spiritual motivation. Barclay says, “The heathen found his happiness in filling himself with wine and with all the pleasures which are worldly pleasures; the Christian found his happiness in the fact that he was filled with the Spirit” (The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians by William Barclay, p. 197). Drunkenness will produce unintelligible sounds, while being filled with the Spirit will produce intelligible messages. The Christian’s motivation is because he is Spirit filled.

“Be filled with the Spirit” is a command that is followed by four participles (speaking, singing, making melody, giving thanks) that explain how to be filled with the Spirit. In such Greek constructions, the participles carry the same command authority as is found in the command to be filled with the Spirit. Thus, God is commanding that each person speak through singing, while he is making melody from a thankful heart.

Summary and Conclusions

In these two passages the followers of God have in summary form, what worship in song is all about. First, it is worship because it is directed to God. Second, it is expressed orally through speaking. That speaking is done through singing a variety of kinds of songs, psalms, hymn, and spiritual songs. The melodies of those songs come from one’s heart. Third, this worship is done by the authority of Jesus Christ. Fourth, this worship is to come from a heart that is filled with thankfulness. Fifth, as a by-produce, those who participate are not only worshiping God, but they are also being edified, admonished, and strengthened as they worship. May each of us better understand the reason, purpose, and method of worshiping God in the songs that we sing. It is a wonderful way in which Christians can combine their efforts to offer to God acceptable worship, and at the same time gain personally from this effort.

Wayne Burger

 

[dcontroversal]

The Spirit is The Truth

Two definite articles (the) and the (be) verb make the two interchangeable...

The Spirit is The Truth
The Truth is The Spirit

Psalms were sung to musical instruments and Psalms are listed in the N.T. passages quoted!

 

[Shava]

The Spirit is The Truth

Two definite articles (the) and the (be) verb make the two interchangeable...

The Spirit is The Truth
The Truth is The Spirit

Psalms were sung to musical instruments and Psalms are listed in the N.T. passages quoted!

When we worship in spirit and in truth it means that in all that we do we should do in spirit in the sense that God wants to be as close spiritually as he can and singing is what he has decided to use for a very good reason, because this is the closest one can get to be as spiritually in oneness with his creator. If you add an instrument you add a man made object which takes away from attempting to have spiritual oneness with God, God didn't make the instrument, man did. God only wants his creation to worship him in N.T. times. . [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]How The New Testament Says To Perform Psalms[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]:[/FONT]

• [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]A.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]Speaking[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]: [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]Eph. 5:19[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] (How does the Bible tell us to perform psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in this passage? Paul said these are accomplished by speaking and by singing. Those who wish to use instruments of music say psalms are to be played. The inspired Apostle Paul said they are to be spoken and sung! Making melody here ([/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]) does not indicate playing an instrument. The making of melody here is accomplished in or with the heart. It has to do with singing heartily, with meaning.)[/FONT]
  [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]B.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]Understanding[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]: [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]1 Cor. 14:15[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] (This passage uses [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York], the verb form of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psalmos[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]. Notice the Bible says to sing [[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]] with the understanding. From the immediate context, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]verses 16[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] and [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]19[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] show that understanding has to do with understanding spoken words. So the singing [[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo-ing[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]] involved spoken words, not mechanical instruments. Some argue that since the root meaning of [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] is to strike or twang something to make it vibrate, such as a stringed instrument, this must involve playing, not singing. However, through the evolution of this terms definition, it has come to indicate singing in the New Testament rather than plucking a string, the vocal chords being the object "plucked" and caused to vibrate. The bottom line is, whatever [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] does, it produces intelligible words in [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]1 Cor. 14:15[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]. Playing an instrument does no such thing, but singing does. This supplies a Bible definition for [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psallo[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] [verb], and by implication [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]psalmos[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] [noun]; to sing [verb], or the song that is sung [noun].)[/FONT]
  [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]C.[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]Teach And Admonish[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]: [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York]Col. 3:16[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times,New York] (This passage tells us to teach and admonish with psalms. Whatever a psalm is, it teaches and admonishes. The sounds of an instrument do not teach nor admonish so their use in the performance of a psalm would violate what this passage requires of our musical worship. Furthermore, the verse says this is accomplished by singing. The performance of a psalm, a hymn, or a spiritual song is accomplished by singing. That's what the Bible says. Others may say that at least psalms also include playing, but the Bible says it is accomplished by singing.)[/FONT]

 

[cmarieh]

I guess there is only one way to find out the truth. Since Shava, you are not willing to show any humility to comprehend what everybody is trying to say and it is very sad and I will be praying the God's holy truth be revealed to you. Wait until Jesus comes back and then we will all find out that there is dancing and rejoicing. Worship is a way we can show God how much we love and adore him and how do we show that to our loved ones here on earth. We praise them with encouraging words and may jump around when a kid learns to ride a bike or gets potty-trained. There is nothing wrong with dancing and worshipping God. It is very sad that you will miss out on such wonderful time in showing God how much you love him. By the way how do you show him that you love him and thank him for everything in your life?

 

[Shava]

I guess there is only one way to find out the truth. Since Shava, you are not willing to show any humility to comprehend what everybody is trying to say and it is very sad and I will be praying the God's holy truth be revealed to you. Wait until Jesus comes back and then we will all find out that there is dancing and rejoicing. Worship is a way we can show God how much we love and adore him and how do we show that to our loved ones here on earth. We praise them with encouraging words and may jump around when a kid learns to ride a bike or gets potty-trained. There is nothing wrong with dancing and worshipping God. It is very sad that you will miss out on such wonderful time in showing God how much you love him. By the way how do you show him that you love him and thank him for everything in your life?

Potty training and learning to ride a bike, I to have jumped up and down when my children accomplished these things, but my friend in all seriousness, this is about worshipping almighty God with reverence and in spirit and in truth. We show God how much we love him by singing and doing our very best to be like his son. Showing our love for God is loving our neighbor and doing all we can to help save souls. Dancing isn't something acceptable in worship as God prefers things be done in an orderly way. If you are not a member of the Church of Christ I urge you to go to the nearest one and study with them and when you are ready then be baptized and you to can have a home in heaven. There is but one church spoken of in the bible, that's the Church of Christ. Romans 16:16, Matthew 16:18.

 

[cmarieh]

Potty training and learning to ride a bike, I to have jumped up and down when my children accomplished these things, but my friend in all seriousness, this is about worshipping almighty God with reverence and in spirit and in truth. We show God how much we love him by singing and doing our very best to be like his son. Showing our love for God is loving our neighbor and doing all we can to help save souls. Dancing isn't something acceptable in worship as God prefers things be done in an orderly way. If you are not a member of the Church of Christ I urge you to go to the nearest one and study with them and when you are ready then be baptized and you to can have a home in heaven. There is but one church spoken of in the bible, that's the Church of Christ. Romans 16:16, Matthew 16:18.

Excuse me. I was baptized about fifteen years ago and I have a personal intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Do not make assumptions and don't question my relationship with him because you don't know me at all. Do you even believe in the gifts of the holy spirit?

 

[eternally-gratefull]

[/B][/U]I agree he was saved, but I have serious doubts as to the reason being attributed unto a pass given to baptism by a Doctor.....as baptism is a (PICTURE) (PAINTING) of what has transpired (INWARDLY) through saving faith!

Its the double standard all legalisms have.

They seem to excuse things if they can not explain it away, or if they are struggling with it.

They reject the baptism of God, add the baptism of men commanded by God, and think they are more holy than others.

There probloem is they can;t see the sin in their own lives that ensnares them. Like the pharisee, they seem to be holy (to themselves) but in reality, they are as black as they were before they started to have faith in their works.

 

[Bookends]

Ok, now that I have calmed down I will try to explain a few things. I am sorry I lashed out considering I am guilty of bashing other beliefs(most of us are), and when you see a group bashing yours you suddenly understand why others get offended. Thats why I dont normally argue Revelation, tongues, miracles, ect....its offensive, and if you are offending then you sure aren't teaching.
One big problem I had(and I will not name names, that is irrelevant) is I saw a few on here I respect, and seem to respect me. We agree on pretty much everything and get along great. Then suddenly Church of Christ is mentioned and they go on a long dissertation on how they are wrong. So that tells me something is wrong here. What is interesting is there is a minister who frequents CC. I hardly ever see anyone argue with him, and he seems to be quite respected. Yet some of you who agree with him and get along with him like you do me have no clue he is CoC.
Feel free to disagree, but after YEARS of studying this is how my little brain understand scripture. Yes, the CoC has a bad reputation. Alot of the reason for this is back in the 1950s there was a small group of CoC disgruntled elders who taught "if you aren't CoC then you are going to Heaven"....well, their words spread like wildfire, and suddenly everyone thought that is what the CoC believed. While on the surface it looks like the CoC may hold these beliefs it is much deeper than that. The problem many people have is not understanding what the bible says and taking the preachers word for it.

When it comes to instrumental music it is not at all condemned, but scriptures do not clearly say they are to be used in worship. Psalms could be used to validate the use of instruments being as Psalms is classified as law( luke 24:44), but then animal sacrifices would still be permitted. So resurrecting the use of instruments with Psalms would mean we need to resurrect other things within the book.
As I stated earlier there is no evidence that instrumental music used in worship. The NT only mentions vocal singing. If someone can show me scripture where early Christians used instruments in worship then please show me. I know the apostles didnt spread the gospel by the use of them, nor did they glorify God by using them. So to me the use of instruments is a human addition to worship which on the surface there is nothing wrong with it, but can open the door to other human additions. Before you know it you are worshiping how you want to, and not under the authority of Christ. In other words Christ never authorized the use of instruments in worship.
Another thing is edification with instruments. Now if one has a natural talent then I really can't argue with them. They are using their talent to glorify God, but to me practicing songs is more of a performance than an edification. I am not a great singer. I don't have a professional voice, and to be honest I probably can be compared to a frog on crack singing than an angelic voice. I could practice and take lessons to make my voice better, but do you really think God cares that my voice isn't that of an opera singer? Im not bashing those who may take voice lessons, but when it comes to God he created your voice. You may not like what you sound like, but to God I am sure that screeching banshee singing of Amazing grace is wonderful to Him. So in other words if you have to practice in order to play in front of a congregation that is more of a performance. Others may be edified by a band, but what about the souls of the band members? Is their heart really in it?

Now if you can honestly worship and glorify the Lord while using instruments, and you become spiritually stronger by them instead of distracted and you aren't concentrating on the wrong things then by all means go for it, but for me I prefer acapella. I guess this is a conviction of mine, and it is my choice to refrain. Again I am not condemning anyone that uses instruments. I sometimes listen to christian music and choirs on youtube, and often catch myself paying more attenion to how cool the instruments sound than the words sung to glorify God. To me thats bad. I am concentraing on the wrong thing so for my sake I need to keep with acapella.
What I have said is my understanding, and I will respect anyone who disagrees. Do not think I am like that OP that has the attitude of a Pharisee and thinks that if you dont think like I do then you will go to Hell. I didn't post here to tell you I am right and you are wrong. I posted to explain why I refrain.

I hope this shines a better light on what many in the CoC(including myself) believe. It is not to condemn as was originally presented.

May your voice be unto God as a burnt offering, a sweet aroma unto God.

 

[Bookends]

Ok, now that I have calmed down I will try to explain a few things. I am sorry I lashed out considering I am guilty of bashing other beliefs(most of us are), and when you see a group bashing yours you suddenly understand why others get offended. Thats why I dont normally argue Revelation, tongues, miracles, ect....its offensive, and if you are offending then you sure aren't teaching.
One big problem I had(and I will not name names, that is irrelevant) is I saw a few on here I respect, and seem to respect me. We agree on pretty much everything and get along great. Then suddenly Church of Christ is mentioned and they go on a long dissertation on how they are wrong. So that tells me something is wrong here. What is interesting is there is a minister who frequents CC. I hardly ever see anyone argue with him, and he seems to be quite respected. Yet some of you who agree with him and get along with him like you do me have no clue he is CoC.
Feel free to disagree, but after YEARS of studying this is how my little brain understand scripture. Yes, the CoC has a bad reputation. Alot of the reason for this is back in the 1950s there was a small group of CoC disgruntled elders who taught "if you aren't CoC then you are going to Heaven"....well, their words spread like wildfire, and suddenly everyone thought that is what the CoC believed. While on the surface it looks like the CoC may hold these beliefs it is much deeper than that. The problem many people have is not understanding what the bible says and taking the preachers word for it.

When it comes to instrumental music it is not at all condemned, but scriptures do not clearly say they are to be used in worship. Psalms could be used to validate the use of instruments being as Psalms is classified as law( luke 24:44), but then animal sacrifices would still be permitted. So resurrecting the use of instruments with Psalms would mean we need to resurrect other things within the book.
As I stated earlier there is no evidence that instrumental music used in worship. The NT only mentions vocal singing. If someone can show me scripture where early Christians used instruments in worship then please show me. I know the apostles didnt spread the gospel by the use of them, nor did they glorify God by using them. So to me the use of instruments is a human addition to worship which on the surface there is nothing wrong with it, but can open the door to other human additions. Before you know it you are worshiping how you want to, and not under the authority of Christ. In other words Christ never authorized the use of instruments in worship.
Another thing is edification with instruments. Now if one has a natural talent then I really can't argue with them. They are using their talent to glorify God, but to me practicing songs is more of a performance than an edification. I am not a great singer. I don't have a professional voice, and to be honest I probably can be compared to a frog on crack singing than an angelic voice. I could practice and take lessons to make my voice better, but do you really think God cares that my voice isn't that of an opera singer? Im not bashing those who may take voice lessons, but when it comes to God he created your voice. You may not like what you sound like, but to God I am sure that screeching banshee singing of Amazing grace is wonderful to Him. So in other words if you have to practice in order to play in front of a congregation that is more of a performance. Others may be edified by a band, but what about the souls of the band members? Is their heart really in it?

Now if you can honestly worship and glorify the Lord while using instruments, and you become spiritually stronger by them instead of distracted and you aren't concentrating on the wrong things then by all means go for it, but for me I prefer acapella. I guess this is a conviction of mine, and it is my choice to refrain. Again I am not condemning anyone that uses instruments. I sometimes listen to christian music and choirs on youtube, and often catch myself paying more attenion to how cool the instruments sound than the words sung to glorify God. To me thats bad. I am concentraing on the wrong thing so for my sake I need to keep with acapella.
What I have said is my understanding, and I will respect anyone who disagrees. Do not think I am like that OP that has the attitude of a Pharisee and thinks that if you dont think like I do then you will go to Hell. I didn't post here to tell you I am right and you are wrong. I posted to explain why I refrain.

I hope this shines a better light on what many in the CoC (including myself) believe. It is not to condemn as was originally presented.

Musical instruments could distract you I guess, but so could a song worship leader standing in front (what they look like, facial expressions, body language and movements), so could someone singing louder then anyone else (I've experience both distractions) or children near by doing simply what children do. Whatever the distraction may be, I pray that our worship and praise may be acceptable to Him in spite of our infirmities.

You know I love yah sis, we all have our personal convictions (some petty and some not)

 

[CoooCaw]

The only one true church is the Low (or evangelical) Church of England "..... and Lo, I am with you and even until the end of the age....."

 

[Bookends]

Great point there kind sir...
I am not going to argue and say you are wrong, but the harp in revelation..is it a literal harp or symbolic?

Since you asked the question, has the harp been used as a symbol or figuratively any where else in the bible? If so, you might have a point.

 

[john832]

John I believe that nothing good can come out of drinking alcohol, nothing at all . We all are aware of the problems with alcohol and driving, alcoholism, and the overall negative effect it brings to children who are abused and do without for the sake of the parent getting that can of beer and the child gets nothing, it happens every day. Proverbs 20:1 - Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

You may believe what you will but don't pull one verse out of context to try to prove a falsehood...


Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Here we see Christ (who was Melchizedec) bringing forth wine, not grapejuice. The word for wine here is...

H3196
יין
yayin
yah'-yin
From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication intoxication: - banqueting, wine, wine [-bibber].

The instruction for the second tithe to keep the Feasts of the Eternal includes...

Deu 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
Deu 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
Deu 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
Deu 14:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
Deu 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

Here God instructs the people to celebrate with wine and strong drink. The word for strong drink is...

H7941
שׁכר
shêkâr
shay-kawr'
From H7937; an intoxicant, that is, intensely alcoholic liquor: - strong drink, + drunkard, strong wine.

Jdg 9:13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Hmmm, indicates that Gopd enjoys wine.

Paul even instructed Timothy to drink a little wine for health reasons...

1Ti 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

Now all of this said, the main reason you should not post such a statement as this...

John I believe that nothing good can come out of drinking alcohol, nothing at all .

Wine was used in the Passover service and along with unleavened bread is part of the service Christ instituted...

1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Now don't even go think to say this was grape juice, it was alcoholic wine. The Passover is observed in the spring around six months after the grape harvest and they did not have refrigerators to preserve grape juice in that day. But the main proof that this is alcoholic wine is this...

1Co 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

One does not get drunk from overindulgence in grape juice. This was wine, oinos, fermented grapes.

 

[john832]

Potty training and learning to ride a bike, I to have jumped up and down when my children accomplished these things, but my friend in all seriousness, this is about worshipping almighty God with reverence and in spirit and in truth. We show God how much we love him by singing and doing our very best to be like his son. Showing our love for God is loving our neighbor and doing all we can to help save souls. Dancing isn't something acceptable in worship as God prefers things be done in an orderly way. If you are not a member of the Church of Christ I urge you to go to the nearest one and study with them and when you are ready then be baptized and you to can have a home in heaven. There is but one church spoken of in the bible, that's the Church of Christ. Romans 16:16, Matthew 16:18.

Funny, the name Church of God occurs

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

1Co 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

2Co 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1Co 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

eleven times and the Church of Christ occurs...

Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

once. If the Church of Christ is the only true church, one would have thought it would have been mentioned by name a little more prominently.

 

[Bookends]

Take a vacation and fly on over (mate) and you will see that many churches (so called) have gone to praise (rock) bands and entertainment rather that the preaching of the word of God.

Can God use the rock or entertainment factor to attractive a non-believer? I think God can use whatever tool to draw all walks of life to Him. Through our weaknesses is His strength. I would be so quick to condemn rock bands and contemporary music and perhaps some maybe save and later grow spiritually away from the worldly way and start to embrace unadulterated music/worship.

 

[john832]

Strong drink mocks a man does not sound like God is commending drinking. The dancing of today is different from the provocative writhing of paganism how?

One verse on wine out of context. See here...

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/86646-only-one-true-church-bible-12.html#post1435542

Dancing?

2Sa 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

David's wife Michal, criticized his provocative writhing before God...

2Sa 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

2Sa 6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
2Sa 6:21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
2Sa 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

And the result? Was David corrected for his "provocative writhing"?

2Sa 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

Nope, Michal was made barren for her criticism of David.

Like in the days of Noah with each doing that which seemed right in their own eyes, it shall be like that when the Lord returns. Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.

Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Says here Christ will drink when He returns to establish the Kingdom of God.

Kind of interesting that a Sabbath keeping legal, law focused man would have such a progressive view of drinking and dancing. I'm a bit confused about how much you exercise your liberty in Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

It is called obedience to the Word of God. If God says something is good, that is the gold standard, if He says something is wrong or bad, that is the gold standard. I don't follow the teachings of some "organization" that focuses more on "methods" or opinions, but rather on what the Word of God says.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Can God use the rock or entertainment factor to attractive a non-believer? I think God can use whatever tool to draw all walks of life to Him. Through our weaknesses is His strength. I would be so quick to condemn rock bands and contemporary music and perhaps some maybe save and later grow spiritually away from the worldly way and start to embrace unadulterated music/worship.

From one of the "evil" Christian rock bands.

Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her - YouTube

A song about a girl searching for hope in all the wrong ways, But because of the way she dressed, the people she hung out with, the places she went, The church ignored her, Mocked her, Judged her. When they should have been seeking her, Finding her, And giving her the hope God wants for us all.

To many churches do this, it is a sad state the church is in

My band played this in church, a powerful message for all to hear..

Although my dad would still judge me, because I played the "evil" electric guitar!!