Implied Theology?

I don't know that all CoC believe that they are that exclusive as to be the only True Church.I know some good eggs in there ... though I don't believe their stance on musical instruments and some of their other beliefs, but there's another CoC forum that I saw years ago, run by some guy ... I can't remember ... but I "used" to find it entertaining to lurk and see where we "can" agree, so as not to throw out the wheat with tares.Jeffrey, may I ask how you've come to wind up in Thailand ?

God's Peace, {Amen}Thank you brother for answering here and giving details of that country.I know that my brother-in-law went there on a business trip many years ago and was about floored with the immorality. I can't believe you are there. That's incredible.It must be God's will or else you would have left there by now ... right ?You seem to be the only one there who cares.I read your story about that poor couple with the new baby. How sad, there's no words for such things, that I can utter right now.I can't imagine being "that" alone. But Praise the Lord you have a Computer and can 'venture out'.I am happy you found your way here. How did you happen upon this site, if I may ask ?I'm just amazed at this whole story and I could tell by how you wrote, that you were not a native of Thailand. Wow. Do you ever consider leaving or do you feel the Lord has set you root there ?I don't want to bog you down with questions, but this whole story from the other thread of "Unfriendly Churches" just amazes me and I cannot picture finding myself in a strange land.Oh my. Well, you certainly have my prayers and I pray the Lord impress it upon many others to keep you lifted up before the Throne.His Mercy to you.Annie

My Utmost for His Highest .... Oswald ChambersMarch 6 Taking the Next Step . . . in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses —2 Corinthians 6:4 When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel. Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17 .

I haven't looked at the link you supplied, Jeffrey, but this topic (music) came up in another thread somewhere - not sure it was SI so don't hunt for it... and I realised there are more references than we realise.Well how do you support a theology based on what the Bible is silent about? 1 Cor 14:7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? Matthew 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. Then there is the marriage in John 2, which you're right, does not mention musical instruments, but, it seems likely there would be celebratory dancing, would there not? Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee...'The most important 'instrument' of praise and worship is the human voice. No Christian should be exempt from using it, but, not all are sweet singers, and for those who play an instrument better than they can sing, I believe the Lord willingly receives praise and worship offered through external musical instruments. I'd base that 'doctrine' on Paul's instruction to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord, because nowhere does the New Testament revoke the use of muscial instruments as part of the New Covenant; it does endorse singing, though, and that's almost a quote from the Old Testament.Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.Psalm 22:22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Some years ago, I noticed in the Old Testament, we read of God simply telling the people to praise Him. There are many examples. There is not necessarily a reason other than His instruction, and the implicit exhortation that He is GOOD and WORTHY to be praised. Perhaps, after Pentecost, when people had really experienced forgiveness at soul level, and knew a lightness in their spirit because of freedom from guilt and power over sin, they began to sing in a different way, and Paul recognised that it wasn't just desirable to praise God, but that it was spiritually nurturing to sing to Him....