We are living in a time when many are more concerned about pleasing men rather than God. The apostle Paul recognized this problem in the Galatian church and said, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). Many churches have added "choirs, soloists, quartets, and special singing groups to “improve”, or entertain members in the worship services. They ignore what the Bible teaches about the kind of music that is authorized in the worship services. They put forth much effort in trying to make themselves believe that this unscriptural practice is pleasing to God, however nothing could be farther from the truth.

JESUS HAS ALL AUTHORITY

Preachers, elders and church leaders do not have the authority to add or change anything God has placed in the worship services. Jesus said, "All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth" (Matt.28:18). He promised to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles and declared to them, "But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you" (John. 14:26). Let us keep in mind that the Holy Spirit was to teach the apostles all things (not just some). Such revelation of authority never has and never will be granted to anyone except those apostles of the first century. The preachers, elders, and church leaders who have decided to add what they think will improve the worship services, were not taught all things by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, Jesus said to his apostles, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth..." (John. 16:13). Again not some of the truth, but all the truth! If we say that the apostles did not have all the truth, then we would be saying that Jesus didn't tell the truth. The apostle Peter said that Jesus, "...did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (1 Pet.2:22).

We must understand that in the realm of religion, 1) anything the apostles did not teach, we cannot teach, and 2) anything the apostles did not practice, we cannot practice! If anyone teaches or practices something the apostles did not teach

or practice, that person is wrong in the sight of God. John wrote, "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us: he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (1Jno.4:6).

It must be understood that the apostles completely set in order what things were to be taught and practiced by Christians (2Pet. 1:3; 2Tim.3:16-17). The teaching of the apostles, as recorded in the New Testament, is the authoritative rule of faith for the church for all times (2Cor. 10:8).

THERE IS NO AUTHORITY FOR CHOIRS, SOLOISTS, QUARTETS, OR SPECIAL SINGING GROUPS