How Does One Become A Christian?

You must first HEAR the word of God as we are told in:

Rom. 10:17 - “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Rom. 10:13-14 - “For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 14How then shall they
call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not
heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

You must BELIEVE that Christ is the son of God, that He died for your sins on the cross, and the He
was buried and resurrected on the 3rd day:

Mark 16:15-16 - “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Heb. 11:6 - “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that
He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

You must REPENT of your sins (for all have sinned - Rom. 3:23 ):

Luke 13:3 - “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Acts 17:30 - “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men
everywhere to repent,”

You must CONFESS that Jesus is the Son of God:

Rom. 10:10 - “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation.”
2 John 1:7 - “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

You must be BAPTIZED for the remission of your sins:

Acts. 2:38 - “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts. 22:16 - “And now why tarriest thou? arise,and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on
the name of the Lord.”

What Is A Disciple Of Christ?

Matt. 10:24-25
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he
be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!”

A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit,
and (4) imitates his example (Matt. 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69). [Easton’s 1897 Bible
Dictionary].

After believing & being baptized one must continually follow the commandments of God, and :

2 Pet. 3:18 “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”

James 2:14-26 “…Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only…”

Acts. 17:11 “…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily…”

Gal. 1:6-9 - “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ
unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any
man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

2 Tim. 2:15 - “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth .”

Why Do We Not Use Instrumental Music In Worship?

We do not use instrumental music in our worship because no passage in the New Testament authorizes
the use of instruments in worship. Music in the New Testament church did not include the use of
mechanical instruments. Rather than singing to the accompaniment of instruments as in the Jewish
worship of the Old Testament, the church just sang—without accompaniment. In the New Testament
church, a change was made in the way worship was conducted. Particular emphasis was put upon the
heart or mind.

Ephesians 5:19 - “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Emphasis is to be on the words we sing, teaching and encouraging one another. Instrumental music
adds nothing to the teaching and often detracts from it.

Colossians 3:16 - “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts
to the Lord.”

Words are used both to praise God and teach one another through song.

Romans 15:9 - “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written: For this
reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing unto Your name.”

1 Corinthians 14:15 - “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray
with the understanding: I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”

Hebrews 2:12 - “I will declare Your name to my brethren, in the midst of the assembly I will sing
praise to You.”

James 5:13 - “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing
psalms.”

All of the Bible examples of music among Christians in worship just say that they sang. There is no case
of the church playing instruments like they did in the Old Testament. The Old Testament Law of Moses
is not our standard today. Christ gave us a New Covenant that is superior to what Moses gave.

John 1:17 - “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Romans 6:14 - “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under
grace.”

We are under a New Covenant. There has been a change of law. Part of that change involves the way
God wants us to worship Him. Not only do we not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings, but we do not use
instruments to accompany the singing in the worship services. This was God’s decision, not that of
some man. We worship God today in the way that He prescribed in the first century church.