Instrumental worship for New Testament Christians can be justified (debate #2)

I had heard of the idea that there were some groups who did not use instruments in worship services; however, I had never discussed the issue with anyone who believed such. I am glad I had the opportunity to hear the reasoning behind this viewpoint. Secondly, I made reference to Pharisee "traditions of men. " My opponent responded by suggesting that my reference was bordering on character assassination. Although no offense or personal assault was intended; I would like to offer my apologies for any offense taken. Summary My opponent (Pro) opened the debate by suggesting that stringed instruments, and stringed instruments ONLY were allowed in Christian worship. I responded by firstly agreeing with him that stringed instruments were allowed and by stating that I would debate the issue that ONLY stringed instruments were allowed in worship. My argument was and is that there is no scriptural basis for such a proposal. My opponent then gave Ephesians 5:19 as evidence that instruments (except for stringed instruments) were forbidden in Christian worship. Here is the verse in question: Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" My contention has been and is that without the insertion of human opinion into the verse, this verse does not forbid musical instruments. My opponent has responded to my argument by saying that this verse states that one MUST sing, and therefore excludes wind instruments as these cannot be played while singing. My opponent has also pointed out that the word "psalm" in the Biblical context allows accompaniment with stringed instruments and has gone through great length to show evidence of this by quoting scholarly sources. My opponent also argued that since "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" are the only items in this list in ONE VERSE out of the thousands of verses in the New Testament that the list is likened to the communion elements in that it is in his opinion an exclusive list. Conclusion 1. Concerning the evidence that the term "psalm" allows stringed instruments: I had not previously responded to this evidence because I have no contention with allowing stringed instruments; therefore, it is irrelevant to the debate on the terms in which I accepted the debate. Although my opponent had good documentation for the position; that evidence should be dismissed from this debate. 2. My opponent's argument that Ephesians 5:19 teaches that worshipers MUST sing is pure conjecture. As I stated earlier, what the Bible MEANS is a matter of opinion, what the Bible SAYS is a matter of fact. Once again, here is the verse in question: Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" As can be seen in the text, neither the word "MUST" nor any other directive is in this verse. The second part of that argument was that since one MUST sing, one could not play either a woodwind or brass instrument. First of all, because one is playing an instrument doesn't mean one could not sing at another time to fulfil the alleged requirement to sing. Secondly, one may not be able to play while SINGING; however, one could play while: Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. 3. My opponent has insisted that since the verse in question lists forms of singing but does not list instruments; that it implies an exclusion of instruments. What the Bible implies and what the Bible SAYS are two different things. The former is conjecture, the later is the Word of God. Once again, my opponent is building his case on human opinion and not on the scriptural text. 4. In the fourth round, I mentioned that Jesus gave us the only directive concerning worship in John 4:24: God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). (John 4:24 AMP). My opponent responded by saying that Paul had given many directives for worship. The following is EVERY occurrence of the word "worship" in the Pauline epistles in the King James Version: 1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. As is obvious, NONE of the above is a directive for worship! Now let us compare Ephesians 5:19 with John 4:24: God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). (John 4:24 AMP) "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" (Ephesians 5:19 KJV) John 4:24 has the word "must" AND the word "worship. " Ephesians 5:19 has neither. As I stated, the ONLY directive for worship in the New Testament is that the worshiper worship in spirit and with reality. ANY worship that fits that description is authorized by God. In order to meet that requirement, the worshiper must have a pure heart. If the requirement is spirit and reality, God will judge the heart, not the method. Closing Words One thing that is consistent about my opponent is the element of conjecture. He has taken ONE verse and based his whole argument on his opinion about what the verse means. Matthew 18:16b says, "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. " An opinion as to what ONE verse means is not enough evidence to draw the conclusion that ONLY stringed instruments are allowed in Christian worship.