We recently received a thoughtful comment on YouTube regarding Brent’s sermon, Is the Church of Christ “Legalistic”: Mechanical Instruments Condemned, where is your example of congregational singing only in the New Testament? What “psalms” was Paul referring too? Please read Brent’s full reply below: I apologize in the delay in getting back to you in answering your questions. I was out of town conducting a gospel lectureship in the San Diego area. The reason we sing congregationally is based upon the apostle Paul’s instructions to the churches in Ephesus and Colossae: Ephesians 5.19: “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns […]

PM Scripture Reading: James 1.21-25 Brent T. Willey IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST “LEGALISTIC”? Introduction: We are often accused of being “legalistic,” largely because of our views on baptism, the Lord’s Supper & instrumental music. Do these insistent beliefs make us “legalists”? WHAT IS LEGALISM? “Strict, literal, (often too strict) or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code” (Webster). Does the Bible deal with the problem of legalism? Yes! Jesus: Matt. 15.1-9 Paul: Col. 2.20-23 Judaizers: Acts 15.5, 24; cf., Rom. 14.10-14; Titus 3.9-11 “LEGALISM” versus “LAW KEEPING” Obedience to God’s law is demanded! Jesus: […]