A kindly gentleman
replies: “Because musical instruments are not authorized by the New
Testament, hence, they are additions to the divine pattern which
prescribes Christian worship.”
But the intrigued visitor
probes further: “Why then do you use song books? Aren’t these also
additions?” “No, the brother replies, “our song books are merely aids;
there’s a difference between an addition and an aid.”
Conversations like the
previous take place on numerous occasions. There is much confusion in
discerning the difference between an “addition” and an “aid.” What is
the difference? This is a great question, and we focus briefly on it in
this week’s Penpoint.
How is an “addition”
distinguished from an “aid”? An addition occurs when a particular action
has been altered, or the fundamental composition or substance of a thing
has been changed. An aid alters nothing; it merely facilitates the
implementation of the action or substance, without changing anything.
Perhaps several examples
will help us focus on this.
Aids vs.
Additions
A cane may aid one in
taking a walk, but with or without this device, one is just walking. But
if one walks for a while, and then rides a bicycle, he is no longer just
walking; something has been added to his mode of travel. Now, he’s both
walking and riding.
A mother sends her son to
the market to buy a loaf of bread. He brings the bread home in a bag.
The bag is merely an aid. Should he purchase a candy bar as well, he has
disregarded the instruction of his mother by an addition.
A man takes his
automobile to the service center for an oil change. The attendant may
use a wrench and funnel to aid in his replacement of the oil. There is
no problem with that. But we all understand that if he changes the spark
plugs as well, he has augmented the original instructions.
Jesus taught that the
communion supper is to consist of bread and fruit of the vine. A table,
plates, and cups facilitate (aid) the implementation of those commands.
But to garnish the bread with peanut butter, and “punch up” the fruit of
the vine with ginger ale, is to be guilty of addition.
Christians are obligated
to preach the gospel everywhere to the extent of their ability. In order
to accomplish this, it is acceptable to use aids (e.g., tracts,
television, the world wide web, or a building). But if one combines
something with that gospel (as the Judaizers did in the first century
when they taught that circumcision, an element of the Mosaic law, is
also necessary to receive salvation –
Acts
15:1), that is an
offense.
When the church commences
the praise portion of its service, the saints may “sing,” for such is
enjoined by God
(Eph.
5:18-19; Col. 3:16).
Christians may employ song books, a projection screen, or a tuning fork
(to determine the appropriate “pitch”). Still, though, in the final
analysis, they would be singing only.
On the other hand, if the
church sings to the accompaniment of an organ, piano, etc., those thus
participating have added something to what the Lord authorized. There
now are two types of music – vocal and instrumental. The nature of the
original command has been supplemented.
Additions
are wrong.
And so, the serious Bible
student must conclude that the use of a mere aid only accommodates
obedience to God’s will. Such expediencies may fluctuate from
time-to-time and from place-to-place.
On the other hand, those
who respect the authority of the sacred Scriptures will not tamper with
the divine prescriptions for worship by the clutterment of additions.
They will not add to sacred instruction, for to do so is to invite the
wrath of God ultimately.
One needs to remember
what happened to those who put God’s Ark of the Covenant on a “new” cart
(2
Sam. 6:3), instead
of transporting the sacred chest as the law had required
(Ex.
25:12-14). David
later admitted that this addition was “not according to the [divine]
ordinance”
(1
Chron. 15:16). It
pays to know the difference between an “aid” and an “addition.”
To many, such matters
perhaps seem rather trivial. This is because they have never fathomed
the concept of the necessity of absolute obedience to the sovereign
Creator.
Other Articles by Wayne Jackson
The Divine Pattern of Acceptable Worship
The New Testament Pattern of Giving
Tradition Verses Scripture
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