Changes in the Church

**Yoking Christianity with worldliness has never been accepted by God.**

What’s wrong with change?

The church structure has most certainly changed since the days of Peter and Paul. Musical instruments were not broadly accepted within the early Christian church services. Not that instruments were particularly sinful, but they were not seen as a necessity in the church. The general thought was that God gave us the human voice to praise His name. The seventeenth century Baptist church didn’t even sing at first; this became a source of controversy years later.

The pipe organ made its way among the Catholics first and the Protestants and Baptists followed. The next generations accepted and appreciated it. Of course, when the saloon piano was introduced several hundred years ago, that was definitely unsuitable for churches, but that too would become accepted with time.

Therefore, one might think, why not welcome the bass guitar and drum set, right? We are in the transitional period of these instruments, and they will soon be accepted. Right? However, like the organ in Jazz or the piano in Blues, any instrument can be played in an ungodly, worldly style. In that, the instrument becomes unacceptable in church.

Changes in the church structure or order of service is not what should be rejected. Unless, the alterations are for inclusion, expansion, or emulsion. Some examples of this would include taking ‘Baptist’ out of the name for the sake of inclusion, or adding a ‘worship band’ to draw a larger crowd while attempting to mingle God’s Holy name with ungodly music.

Many churches today are adapting their own mindset of what a church is or should be. This is nothing new. After Joshua’s bold statement in Joshua 24:15, the following generation mingled the LORD with idols. Later, some dared to sacrifice in the high places (Judges 5:18), and Israel began this practice as a whole with Solomon until Hezekiah rightly cut down the high places. God abhorred it because it followed the pattern of idolatry.

There is no need to ‘re-invent church’ for the purpose of acceptance or growth. If that is the case, every brick of doctrine will become negotiable. This happened in Exodus 32:5 after the golden calf was fashioned ...To morrow is a feast to the LORD. What? Later, David followed the example of the Philistines in transporting the ark of God on a cart (2 Samuel 6:3). In the New Testament, Paul had to deal with a works/grace salvation in the churches of Galatia.

This is why separation from worldliness in dress, music, language, appearance, and attitude is natural to the transformed and new creature. Jesus said of His disciples, they are in the world... not of the world (John 17:12-14). Yoking Christianity with worldliness has never been accepted by God. Since the Garden, man has reasoned within themselves a ‘better’ worship of God. In all of Israel’s history, this has routinely brought them into full idolatry. The Bible is written from God’s perspective. Have you ever noticed how quick Israel turns to idolatry in Scripture? Yet, the worship of YAHWEH was not entirely rejected. After all, Jezebel falsely accused and killed Naboth according to the Law.

By Israel adding gods to their worship, GOD had to share His holiness with man’s concoction. So from God’s perspective, they were in idolatry. Jesus didn’t accept that kind of worship from the rich young ruler either. He was exalting his own goodness as some do today (Romans 10:3).

It is dangerous to reason only within ourselves and follow our own fleshly desires, and then expect God’s stamp of approval with worldly adaptions in the church. What is the product of those who blur the lines of Christian distinction?

Change in the church should be rejected if it is something that attracts or patterns the world. But, it is our responsibility to be steadfast in doctrine, unmovable in principle, always abounding in the work of the Lord… moving Christianity forward.