The Bible teaches: mechanical instruments of music are approved by God in the New Testament church

In fact, I hadn’t really personally known anyone who actually was against instruments in worship service before this. My opponent makes clear, however, that this is a serious matter, even implying we could lose our salvation. I’m not sure if that’s true, but that’s a different topic. My position as described by the resolution“I don't see how he is able to understand the debate on mechanical instrument in the New Testament church. And then make his argument from the Jewish Law in the Old Testament. ” I asked why the Old Testament holds no legitimacy. My opponent’s answer: “you had the obligation to prove the argument that mechanical instruments are to be found in the New Testament church. ”Actually this is very incorrect. Look at the resolution: The Bible Teaches: Mechanical instruments of music are approved by God in the New Testament church. This does not say whether instruments are present in the New Testament or not. Perhaps they didn't even have the money to buy any or maybe they didn't use instruments for cultural reasons. Rather, I had to prove that if there were instruments in the New Testament church, they would be approved by God. Hence I used other parts of the Bible to show this. For example, in a book we may be wondering if murder is wrong in chapter 4. If the book says murder is wrong in chapter 2, and there is nothing to say that the writer has changed his opinion, we can know that murder is wrong in chapter 4 even if chapter 4 doesn’t touch on the subject. Likewise, there is nothing wrong with using other parts of the Bible to confirm the approval of instruments in worship. After all, the resolution explicitly begins with, “The Bible teaches. ” This does not specify what part of the Bible. I think my opponent does not actually know his own resolution. Thus, my first argument and consequently my second argument have not been adequately refuted. The fact still remains that the Old Testament is still good for teaching and correction as expressed in 2 Timothy 3:16. Is it a law in the Bible that Christians must sing? My opponent seems a little stunned when I proposed the question, much to my expectations. He immediately points out the verses he has previously described. My opponent answers with a resounding “YES, the Bible commands us to sing in the New Testament church. ” So, these verses are actually a law that must be followed. But this brings a dilemma. Not everyone can speak, let alone sing. If literally singing is a command in the New Testament, then frankly, the mute will not reach Heaven. How do we explain this dilemma? Well, these verses are not simply telling us to literally sing. Rather, they are telling us to praise God. Look at this verse: “[be filled with the Spirit,] speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Eph 5:19). ” The command here is to sing to the Lord from the heart not just the voice. The point in this passage (and all of my opponent’s other passages) is not the rules of how we worship, but that we should worship and do so from the heart. It doesn’t say, “Worship like this and not like that. ” But if we sing, it should be only for the Lord and not for men. I would say that these verses are encouraging us to sing, but they are not commanding it or else the mutes would be sinners. WorshipMy opponent went back to my statements about playing sports, something not found in the Bible (although we find references to sports). My opponent responds, “we do not play sports during worship in the New Testament church. ” We may, however, worship God while playing sports. Remember Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. ” This means, everything we do should be an act of worship. “If we want to be New Testament Christians we understand that Jesus and His apostles told us "specifically" how to do this in the New Testament. ” Correct, Paul says exactly how we must worship in Colossians 3:17. Really, brushing our teeth, wearing collared shirts, and playing sports should all be acts of worship. We brush our teeth because our bodies are a “temple of the Holy Spirit. ” We wear collared shirts out of respect for God. I don’t know why else my opponent would wear a collared shirt to Sunday service. If it is merely for other people or for tradition I don’t think this would be godly. I can’t emphasize Colossians 3:17 enough here. I think it will be my new life verse. This runs contrary to Con’s statement, “Worship service is a time in our life we set aside the things that please us and do the things we are commanded in New Testament Christianity. ” Whatever we do should not be to “please us” but to please God. Worship isn't just on a Sunday morning singing songs; our lives should be worship. Remember what worship actually is: “Therefore I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God, to present you bodies a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ” (Romans 12:1)Will-worshipOn the whole matter of will-worship, my opponent has not shown it to be Biblical. The only example is Matthew 15:1, which I have already explained as misinterpreted by my opponent. If this is really will-worship then my opponent is misusing the word, “will-worship. ”My opponent basically argues that anything not found in the Bible is sin. But as I said in the last round, the Bible is not silent on what is wrong. My opponent has not responded to this. I am basically saying that the Bible covers every sin. Instruments in worship are not described as sinful anywhere. And again, this argument is not Bible derived. Other arguments:Note that my opponent has not responded to his own argument, which I in fact turned on him to my own argument. He has proceeded to entirely drop it. My third argument still stands as well. Con has not really directly responded to it. Any qualms he had with it I think I have already responded adequately. Conclusion:All three of my main arguments are legitimate and have not been refuted by my opponent. I think the main discrepancy besides the legitimacy of the Old Testament was between what was a command and not a command. Physical singing was not a command; rather we must make melody and praise in our hearts. The command is to worship. Praise God how you would like as long as it is for the Lord and not men. The very Greek word “psalmo” used in Ephesians 5:19 actually implies instruments. Really, none of these verses Con has provided condemn musical instruments, and that is why I didn’t really respond to them much. From all the information gathered and arguments presented, I think it is safe to say that God would approve of mechanical instruments of music in the New Testament church.