Ephesians 2:8 by Grace Are You Saved Through Faith

Myles Werntz, ACU, Abilene Christian University, Baptist Theology, Predestination: In Ephesians 2:8 Paul said that we are are KEPT SAFE CONTINUALLY when we obey what Grace Teaches us: In Ephesians 2:2 he shows us FROM WHAT we are saved. This is the Religious Observations with musical performance to which Jesus said the Kingdom does not come.  The Lying Wonders of those who are strongly deluded wanting to HIDE the Word, Logos or Regulative Principle from you are self-speaking, singing, instrument players and drama.

Salvation, Love and Faith is produced by the Grace WHO has appeared to teach us. Paul excludes any of our "works" which are specificially defined as religious ceremonies where the Word of Faith is replaced by songs and sermons composed by humans believing that what they have to say or act out is more important than the Words of Christ in the apostles and prophets. Both Jews and Gentiles were dead in their sins specificially because their worship was the worship of the Prince of the Power of the Air: the Jews had been abandoned to worhship the Starry host.


Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Because of Musical Idolatry God turned the Israelites over to worship the starry host (Acts 7 etc). The "play" they engaged in was the musical idolatry of the Egyptian triad imaged by Apis the golden calf.

The starry host was "Sabazianism" and being a goyim or national religion was called "demonism" by Paul speaking of Mount Sinai.


Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [ALREADY SAVED]
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this WORLD (Kosmos ecumenical, the kingdom of the Devil],
        according to the prince of the power of the air,
       
the spirit that now worketh in the children of
DISOBEDIENCE

be disobedient, [apistousin, reject Believeth Not]
Kosmos , esp. of women; “hieros k metaph., of ornaments of speech, such as epithets, Id.9.9 (pl.), Arist.Rh.1408a14, Po.1457b2, 1458a33; hadumelē k. keladein to sing sweet songs of praise, Pi.O.11 (10).13 (
Hēdu^-melēs , Dor. had- , Aeol. ad- , es, A. sweet-singing, “khelidoiAnacr.67, cf. Sapph.122(Comp.), Pi.N.2.25; sweet-sounding, “xoanaS.Fr.238, etc.: poet. fem.,  hēdumeleia surigxNonn.D.29.287.

Poikilos many spoted or woven, embroidered

2. of Art, p. humnos a song of changeful strain or full of diverse art, Pi.O.6.87, id N.4.14, Schema
3. intricate, complex, heiligmoi  CROOKED RACE
c.  of persons and things, subtle, artful, wily
4.changeable, unstable
Sullogismos, reasoning, putting together of observed facts inferences,
        Eristikos  or eager for strife as opposed to
        Epagogue induction

Aoide spell, incantation, ochees for holding capftive, okeiasis 
helig-mos WOMEN A.winding, convolution, of the Labyrinth
   ana-strophē , disorder, confusion, ANTI a. logouOCCUPATION

organon , to, (ergon, erdō) A.instrument, implement, tool, for making or doing a thing,
3. musical instrument, Simon.31, f.l. in A.Fr.57.1 ; ho men di' organōn ekēlei anthrōpous, of Marsyas, met' ōdēs kai tinōn organōn

Instrumental Music as Religious Sorcery

DEUTERONOMY 18 THE ABOMINATION OF THOSE NATION



RELIGIONISTS OUTSIDE OF GOD'S GRACE

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
        according to the prince of the power of the air,
       
the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Kosmos , ho,  natgural, II.rnament, decoration, esp. of women; hieros k. OGI90.40 (Rosetta, ii B. C.): pl., ornaments, A.Ag.1271; hoi peri to sōma k. Isoc.2.32: metaph., of ornaments of speech, such as epithets, Id.9.9 (pl.), Arist.Rh.1408a14, Po.1457b2, 1458a33; hadumelē k. keladein to sing sweet songs of praise, Pi.O.11 (10).13 (s.v.l.).
Hēdu^-melēs , Dor. had- , Aeol. ad- , es,
A. sweet-singing, khelidoi Anacr.67, cf. Sapph.122(Comp.), Pi.N.2.25; sweet-sounding, xoana S.Fr.238, etc.: poet. fem., hēdumeleia surigx Nonn.D.29.287.
Surigx , iggos, ,
2. cat-call, whistle, hiss, as in theatres, Id.Lg.700c; cf. surizō 11.2, surigmos:the last part of the nomos Puthikos was called surigges, prob. because it imitated the dying hisses of the serpent Pytho, Str.9.3.10.
3. mouthpiece of the aulos

This Judas bag is from the Greek:

Glosokomon (g1101) gloce-sok'-om-on; from 1100 (speaking in tongues) and the base of 2889; prop. a case to keep mouthpieces of wind-instruments in, i.e. (by extens.) a casket or (spec.) purse: - bag.

It is made up of two words:

1. Glossa (from Strong's g1100) means "speaking in tongues" especially an unacquired one.

2. Kosmos (g2889) means the "orderly arrangement" or the "adorning" world. this is derived from (g2864 or Komizo which means "to carry off."

Kosmos (g2889) kos'-mos; prob. from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by impl. the world (in a wide or narrow sense, includ. its inhab., lit. or fig. [mor.]): - adorning, world.

"Yet, through all there was an overarching harmony. The Greek word cosmos which we translate by universe originally meant beauty and harmony.

The Pythagoreans discovered mathematical formulae for the musical harmonies. They believed in the harmony of the sounds produced by the movement of the stars.

Therefore, they spoke of cosmic harmony of the spheres, each of which has a different sound, but all together creating a harmonious sound. If you delete the half-poetic, mythological elements from such ideas, then you can say that they had a universal, ecstatic interpretation of reality." (Tillich, Paul, A History of Christian Thought, Touchstone, p. 333).

Kosmocrator (g2888) kos-mok-rat'-ore; from 2889 and 2902; a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan: - ruler.

Kraeteo (g2902) krat-eh'-o; from 2904; to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (lit. or fig.): - hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).

Rulers of the darkness of this world (Gk: Kosmokrator 2888) meaning "holders of this world, or Lord of the world. This is used of Satan and his angels (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

Pind. O. 11 There is a time when men's need for winds is the greatest, and a time for waters from the sky, the rainy offspring of clouds. But when anyone is victorious through his toil, then honey-voiced odes [5] become the foundation for future fame, and a faithful pledge for great deeds of excellence. This praise is dedicated to Olympian victors, without stint. My tongue wants to foster such themes; [10] but it is by the gift of a god that a man flourishes with a skillful mind, as with anything else. For the present rest assured, Hagesidamus son of Archestratus: for the sake of your boxing victory, I shall loudly sing a sweet song, an adornment for your garland of golden olive, [15] while I honor the race of the Western Locrians. There, Muses, join in the victory-song; I shall pledge my word to you that we will find there a race that does not repel the stranger, or is inexperienced in fine deeds, but one that is wise and warlike too. For [20] neither the fiery fox nor loud-roaring lions change their nature.

4.  men in general, phanerōson [FAMOUS] seauton k. Ev.Jo.7.4, cf. 12.19; esp. of the world as estranged from God by sin, ib.16.20, 17.9, al., 1 Ep.Cor. 1.21, etc.
1 Corinthians 1:21 epeidē gar en sophia tou theou ouk egnō ho kosmos dia tēs sophias ton theon, eudokēsen ho theos dia tēs mōrias tou kērugmatos sōsai tous pisteuontas.

1 Corinthians 1.21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.

The wisdom of the Kosmos is:
Sophia , A. cleverness or skill in handicraft and art
Hephaestus and Athena, Pl.Prt.32 1d; of Daedalus and Palamedes, X.Mem.4.2.33, cf. 1.4.2; in music and singing, tekhnē kai s. h.Merc.483, cf. 511; in poetry, divination
speculative wisdom, EN

Anything you can make or compose: poieō
Hdt.1.23, 4.14; p. theogoniēn Hellēsi Id.2.53; p. Phaidran, Saturous, Ar.Th.153, 157; p. kōmōdian, tragōdian, etc., Pl.Smp.223d; palinōdian Isoc.10.64, Pl.Phdr.243b, etc.; poiēmata Id.Phd.60d: abs., write poetry, write as a poet,
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written,
        That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain,
        shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them:
        for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Luke 4:7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him,
        Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written,
        Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
apeith-eia , , A. disobedience, X.Mem.3.5.5, D.H.9.41, Arr. Epict.3.24.24; huioi tēs apeitheias Ep.Eph.5.7; later apeithia , , BGU 747ii14 (ii A.D.), etc., Gloss

apeith-eō , Att. form of api^theō (though even Trag. preferred apisteō, q.v. 11),
A. to be disobedient, refuse compliance, A.Ag.1049; opp. peithomai, Pl.Phdr.271b: freq. c. dat., disobey, ouk apeithēsas theō E.Or.31; a. hama nomō kai theō Pl.Lg.741d, etc.; ta megala a. tini in great matters, Id.R.538b; a. tais enekhurasiais not to abide by them, Id.Lg.949d: later c. gen., psaphismatos GDI3705.111 (Cos); entolōn LXXJo.5.6.
2. of animals, X.Cyr. 7.5.62; of ships, tois oiaxin a. D.S.13.46.
3. of a woman, refuse compliance,
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words:
        for because of these things cometh the wrath
        of God upon the children of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness,
        but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
        but rather reprove them.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
        and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
        but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Believeth not is the Greek:
Apistos , on,
I. Pass., not to be trusted, and so:
1. of persons and their acts, not trusty, faithless untrustworthy, groundless confidence, Th.1.120; shifty, unreliable, Pl.Lg.775d.
II. Act., mistrustful, incredulous, suspicious, thumos de toi aien a. Od.14.150; ōta . . apistotera ophthalmōn less credulous, Hdt.1.8; a. pros Philippon distrustful towards him, D.19.27; a. ei . . sautō you do not believe what you say yourself, 
b. in NT, unbelieving, 1 Ep.Cor.6.6, al.
2. disobedient, disloyal, 
III. Adv. apistōs:
1. Pass., beyond belief, a. epi to muthōdes eknenikēkota Th. 1.21;  
2. Act., distrustfully, suspiciously, Th.3.83; a. tina diatheinai D.20.22.
b. treacherously, Ph.1.516.

Only those who have accepted Grace and been baptized can be called brothers.

1 Corinthians [6] But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!

If "a" spirit tells you to use the Levites as the pattern for performing religious OBSERVATIONS because that is the way to make the kingdom of God come in his church you can understand that it is a spirit of disobedience.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ep.4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 6: 12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We do NOT wrestle against flesh and blood:

[12] diabolou: hoti ouk estin hmin h pal pros haima kai sarka, alla pros tas archas, pros tas exousias, pros tous kosmokratoras touskotous toutou, pros ta pneumatika ts ponrias en tois epouraniois


Pale (g3823) pal'-ay; from pallo, (to vibrate; another form for 906); wrestling: - / wrestle

G906 ballō bal'-lo A primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust. Compare G4496 .

Pall, poise, sway a missile before it is thrown, sway, brandish, she drove it furiously, tripped on the shield-rim, quiver, leap, esp. in fear, II. Pass., swing, dash oneself, Pi.N.5.21; vibrate, of strings, Pl.Phd.94c (psalloito ap. Stob.); skirttikon kai pallomenon to neon (etym. of Pallas) Corn.ND20, cf. Pl.Cra. 407a. III. intr., leap, bound, E.El.435, Ar.Lys.1304 (lyr.); [p. 1294] quiver, quake, phrena deimati palln S.OT153 (lyr.); dash along, of horses, E.El.477 (lyr.).
Pi.N.5.21   Pindar, Nemean 5.

2 Chronicles 29 speaks of Hezekiah's plague stopping animal slaughter in Jerusalem. This was a political move because Hezekiah was king and the Levites were under the King and commanders of the army.

They "Soothsayed" accompanied with the musical instruments ordained by David for making war.  In Revelation 18 they performed "Sorcery" accompanied with musical instruments.  God knew that they offered the sacrifices to Him but THEY ate the meat: all sacrificial systems were prompted by evil men under a spirit of flesh and blood lust.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
        fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;
        and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The Jews burned infants just before Hezekiah and Just after Him: and yet all modern musical idolatry uses this event as their pattern. Christ in the prophets calls them liars and blasphemers because He said that God did not command sacrices or burnt offering. To think so proves that people have never read the Old Testament.

Gregory Nazianzen Oration on the Holy Lights.

Gregory--like all readers of the Old Testament--understood that God turned the Israelites over to worship the starry host and the rituals, like those of Greece etal., were absurd. No true Christian would tell you that God commanded you to imitate musical instruments of the Levites who were the chief guards and executioners of anyone who came close to the God-Quarantined sacrificial system.

As it was at Mount Sinai, so it is in the masses of pseudo worship which is a modern system of feudalism.

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Sophis-ts , ou, ho, master of one's craft, adept, expert, of diviners, Hdt.2.49; of poets, meletan sophistais prosbalon Pi.I.5(4).28 , cf. Cratin.2; of musicians, sophists . . parapain chelun A.Fr.314 , cf. Eup.447, Pl.Com. 140; sophisti Thriki (sc. Thamyris) E.Rh.924, cf. Ath.14.632c: with mod

II. from late v B.C., a Sophist, i.e. one who gave lessons in grammar, rhetoric, politics, mathematics, for money, such as Prodicus, Gorgias, Protagoras, a quibbler, cheat,  a RHETORICIAN as the primary meaning of a HYPOCRITE.

hoi s. tōn hierōn melōn A sophist, serpent, makes MUSICAL MELODY with a congregation AS a harp and cannot grasp that IN THE HEART is a place.

Gregory Nazianzen Oration XXXIX speaks of the slaughter of innocent animals "made dumb before the slaughter" which is THE meaning of music derivedfrom mystery.

"II. Therefore listen to the Voice of God, which sounds so exceeding clearly to me, who am both disciple and master of these mysteries, as would to God it may sound to you;

I Am The Light Of The World. Therefore approach ye to Him and be enlightened, and let not your faces be ashamed, being signed with the true Light. It is a season of new birth, let us be born again. It is a time of reformation, let us receive again the first Adam. Let us not remain what we are, but let us become what we once were. The Light Shineth In Darkness, in this life and in the flesh, and is chased by the darkness, but is not overtaken by it:-I mean the adverse power leaping up in its shamelessness against the visible Adam, but encountering God and being defeated;-in order that we, putting away the darkness, may draw near to the Light, and may then become perfect Light, the children of perfect Light. See the grace of this Day; see the power of this mystery. Are you not lifted up from the earth? Are you not clearly placed on high, being exalted by our voice and meditation? and you will be placed much higher when the Word shall have prospered the course of my words.

III. Is there any such among the shadowy purifications of the Law, aiding as it did with temporary sprinklings, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean;

or do the gentiles celebrate any such thing in their mysteries, every ceremony and mystery of which to me is nonsense, and a dark invention of demons, and a figment of an unhappy mind, aided by time, and hidden by fable?

For what they worship as true, they veil as mythical. But if these things are true, they ought not to be called myths, but to be proved not to be shameful; and if they are false, they ought not to be objects of wonder; nor ought people so inconsiderately to hold the most contrary opinions about the same thing, 
        as if they were playing in the market-place with boys or really ill-disposed men,
        not engaged in discussion with men of sense,
        and worshippers of the Word, though despisers of this artificial plausibility.

"This is the meaning of their persecution of the creature. For this God's Image was outraged; and as we did not like to keep the Commandments, we were given over to the independence of our error. And as we erred we were disgraced by the objects of our worship. For there was not only this calamity, that we who were made for good works  to the glory and praise of our Maker, and to imitate God as far as might be,
        were turned into a den of all sorts of passions,
        which cruelly devour and consume the inner man;

but there was this further evil, that man actually made gods the advocates of his passions,
so that sin might be reckoned not only irresponsible, but even divine,
        taking refuge in the objects of his worship as his apology.

VII. Well, let these things be the amusement of the children of the Greeks and of the demons to whom their folly is due, who turn aside the honour of God to themselves,

Blasphemy is defined in Jeremiah 23 by Christ as "saying that God commanded something when God did not command it.

                26 Ibid. i. 28.

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
        God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Christ warned that these horrors were intended to keep the people's minds off the Word of God.
Jeremiah 23:27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.

Baptism is a work of Christ performed on those who believe and wish to be enrolled as a Disciple of Christ: like cleansing the vessels in the temple, God must cleanse your spirit so that He will dwell in  it by faith when we let Jesus be the only Teacher.

Those who were baptized into Christ were "washed with water INTO the Word" or into the school of Jesus Christ. For those who have been added to His earthly kingdom by Jesus Christ have put on Christ and are therefore immune to the WORLD.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins,
        hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together,
            and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:


Only those who became disciples of Christ by baptism and ongoing teaching are called Christians. A Christian is a disciple of Christ. Jesus Christ is still in Holy Spirit form and continues to speak directly to us when we read and teach what He commanded to be taught.

Our task is to acquire Spiritual Knowledge: anything which substitutes for PREACHING the Word by READING the word and discussing it is of the Devi whom, says Jesus, speaks on his own when Christ in Isaiah 58 outlawed seeking pleasure and speaking your own words.

Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,
        and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will
        in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
        being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,
        unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father,
        which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
        and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
        even the forgiveness of sins:

Baptism and the Lord's Supper is Christ's way to show how we are saved by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

27 Eph. ii. 10; Phil. i. 11.

This passages is most often used to reject the direct command to be baptized as a way to be saved FROM that Crooked Race.  It is then used to prove that disciples can do anything they wish and the wish is to conduct ceremonial legalism as a way to make people forget God.  However, the WORKS of ceremonialism which usually causes people to boast include anything beyond PREACHING the Word by READING and discussing the Word: we have no theatrical works to bring to God.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
        and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Titus 2:11 For the [1] grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Titus 2:12
[2] Teaching us that,
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[3] denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[4] we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Titus 2:14
[5] Who gave himself for us,
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them Repent,
[6] that he might redeem us from all iniquity, [Lawlesness]
      Lutron redeem, Luo lavo , cleanse or wash, bathe,
      lave. 
loupurify, tina ek tn hamartin  
Col. 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins,  
Redemption or Remission happens ONLY after BAPTISM
even the forgiveness of sins:
        [7] and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
                zealous of good works.
and ye shall receive the gift of A holy spirit

THOSE WHO FIGHT BAPTISM REJECT GRACE: 

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it
        with the washing of water by [into] the word,
        ....by [In Verbo, En, Eis, into a school] the word,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness
        which we have done,  [fulfil the Law]
        but according to his mercy he saved us,
        by the washing of regeneration,
        and renewing of the Holy Spirit; [our spirit needs renewing]
When the Jews were turned over to worship the starry host God gave them The Book of The Law which they had to perform.  They performed rituals BELIEVING that they made them righteous. The use of the warrior Levites was so appealing that preachers claim that "a" spirit said that God COMMANDED instrumental praise in his church.  All of the rituals under the Monarchy were identical to the practices of the Egyptians, Canaanites and Babylonians of their time and place.

Baptism and being a Disciple of Christ is not WORKS of righteousness because it confesses that we know nothing of spiritual value unless God reveals it to us.  Excluding rhetoric, singing, playing instruments, dancing and drama PROVES that people think they have something of value to God: He owns all of the cattle on a thousand hills: why would one think they could gain God's good will by burning up one of His creatures?

DO denies grace because it trusts that that their imagination is necessary because our culture has changed from the time of Jesus Christ: postmodernism denies that the message of Christ in the prophets and apostles have any authority for their superior time and place. Baptism is the form or anti-tupos of the death, burial and resurrecting of Jesus.  Tupos is "a pattern capable of being imitated." Anti means instead of: Grace lets us be baptized into Christ to put on Christ instead of dying on the cross for our own sins.

Preaching the Word by reading and discussing "that which is written for our learning" is the MARK to guard us against people who MAKE UP their own songs and sermons.
Poieō , A. make, produce, first of something material, as manufactures, works of art,  in Hom. freq. of building, the horns of which are made into the sides of the lyre,
4.  after Hom., of Poets, compose, write, p. dithurambon, epea
epea [1. song or lay accompanied by  Music joined with ergon and pragma
IV. iambeia, dithuramboi, etc., rhaptōn epeōn aoidoi Pi.N.2.2; epea te poiein pros luran t' aeidein Theoc.Ep.21.6 ; nikēsas epos IG3.1020 ; poētēs epōn
Hdt.1.23, 4.14; p. theogoniēn Hellēsi Id.2.53; p. Phaidran, Saturous, Ar.Th.153, 157; p. kōmōdian, tragōdian, etc., Pl.Smp.223d; palinōdian Isoc.10.64, Pl.Phdr.243b, etc.; poiēmata Id.Phd.60d: abs., write poetry, write as a poet, orthōs p. Hdt.3.38; en toisi epesi p. Id.4.16, cf. Pl.Ion534b: folld. by a quotation, epoēsas pote . . Ar.Th.193; eis tina Pl.Phd.61b; peri theōn Id.R.383a, etc.
b.  represent in poetry, Homēron Akhillea pepoiēkenai
c.  describe in verse, theon en epesin Pl.R.379a; epoiēsa muthous tous Aisōpou put them into verse, Id.Phd. 61b; muthon Lycurg.100.
3. of sacrifices, festivals, etc., celebrate, p. sabbata observe the Sabbath, LXXEx.31.16; p. taphas,
DOING on your own is pure legalism. Like the Monarchy after which it is patterned, it has absolutely no effect on the human spirit. That is because you cannot have the kingdom or Jesus Christ in your presence if you perform religious ceremonies thinking that you can manifest the kingdom. 
The Kingdom of God does not come to religious OBSERVATIONS. Jesus will be outside the camps suffering reproaches from all of those DOING their own acts inside the gates.  He invites only the twos and threes but the gospel invitation is "Come rest and learn of ME."

Watch out: Violent men try to take the kingdom by violence.

We are saved by faith and NOT religious observances or ACTS of religious rituals.
  The only way to grow in faith is through the Word which Grace-personified teaches us.

Faith
comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  The only role of the Qahal, synagogue or Church of Christ in the wilderness was to Rest, Read and Rehearse or discuss the Word of God. That definition never changed, was endorsed by Jesus and commanded in what Paul calls a synagogue "of that which is written for our learning." The Campbells called Church "A School of Christ" and worship as "reading and musing the Word of God."

Irenaeus Apostolic Preaching: 3. Now, that we may not suffer ought of this kind, we must needs hold the rule of the faith without deviation, and do the commandments of God, believing in God and fearing Him as Lord and loving Him as Father. Now this doing is produced |72 by faith: for Isaiah says: If ye believe not, neither shall ye understand. [10. Isa. vii. 9 ]
        And faith is produced by the truth; for faith rests on things that truly are.
For in things that are, as they are, we believe; and believing in things that are, as they ever are, we keep firm our confidence in them.

Since then faith is the perpetuation of our salvation, we must needs bestow much pains on the maintenance thereof, in order that we may have a true comprehension of the things that are. Now faith occasions this for us; even as the Elders, the disciples of the Apostles, have handed down to us.

First of all it bids us bear in mind that we have received baptism for the remission of sins, in the name of God the Father, and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was incarnate and died and rose again, and in the Holy Spirit of God. And that this baptism is the seal of eternal life, and is the new birth and is over all things that are made, and all things are put under Him |73 and all the things that are put under Him are made His own; for God is not ruler and Lord over the things of another, but over His own; and all things are God's; and therefore God is Almighty, and all things are of God. unto God, that we should no longer be the sons of mortal men, but of the eternal and perpetual God; and that what is everlasting and continuing is made God;

Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time
        hath in every city
        them that preach him,
        being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

If people spend as much time looking up the word "read" as they do the word "sing" they would understand why God outlawed "seeking your own pleasure" or even "speaking your own words."

The ONLY command throughout the Bible is to READ and discuss the Word: We are saved BY FAITH and God in Christ directly commanded the ONLY "act" which adds faith which saves us.

However, there may not be a single religious institution which adds salvation or "good mental or spiritual health" by following the direct command, approved examples and necessary inference if you understand that a Disciple goes to the School of Jesus Christ: specificially the prophets and apostles you will understand that:

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There is nothing you can do in the Church or Ekklesia or School of Christ except Teach and Learn "that which is written for our learning." ANYTHING you do to expend ENERGY thinking you can AID Christ in the Prophets or Apostles is defined as WORKS.  Because you DO pretending that is helps you are BOASTING that your songs and sermos can replace those God in Christ prepared.

The WORKS words define ANY of those things you think can AID the assembly especially if you also get paid for replacing the Word.

Rhetoricians who pontificate and speak in loud assertive language is a man doing WORKS in a boasting or theatrical way.  Jesus called him a hypocrite by pointing to Ezekiel 33 which names people of NO EFFECT as rhetoricians, singers and instrument players.

"The Kingdom of God does no come with religious observances: Salvation cannot be aided by the WORKS of human hands: raising, waving, picking or clapping.  What DOES NOT help?


We can't say that these uses are all that Paul had in mind, but if YOU have in mind any works of human hands they this is condemned.
Ergon , First, doing work is coming near any kind of religious sacrifices. That included the following TASKS by which people attempt to please the gods:
epoikhomai , ; theous trapezais e. draw near to the gods with sacrificial feasts, Pi.O.3.40 ; with the muses, song of lyre and the cry of the flutes with the arrangement of words...from which the god fated songs come often to men.
2. go round, visit in succession, of one who hands round wine, autoisin tham' epōkheto oinokhoeuōn Od.1.143

Epoikhomai  Hom. Il. 6.466. go over or ply one's task, with labour,
490] Nay, go thou to the house and busy thyself with thine own tasks, the loom and the distaff, and bid thy handmaids ply their work: but war shall be for men, for all, but most of all for me

Epoikhomai  Hom. Od. 17.336 Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him, and said, King Zeus, grant, I pray thee, that Telemachus may be blest among men, [355] and may have all that his heart desires. He spoke, and took the mess in both his hands and set it down there before his feet on his miserable wallet.
        Then he ate so long as the minstrel sang in the halls.
        But when he had dined and the divine minstrel was ceasing to sing,
        [360] the wooers broke into uproar throughout the halls;
but Athena drew close to the side of Odysseus, son of Laertes, and roused him to go among the wooers and gather bits of bread, and learn which of them were righteous and which lawless

Epoikhomai  Hom. Od. 1.325 Then wise Telemachus answered her: My mother, why dost thou begrudge the good minstrel to give pleasure in whatever way his heart is moved? It is not minstrels that are to blame, but Zeus, I ween, is to blame, who gives to men that live by toil, to each one as he will. [350] With this man no one can be wroth if he sings of the evil doom of the Danaans; for men praise that song the most which comes the newest to their ears. For thyself, let thy heart and soul endure to listen; for not Odysseus alone lost [355] in Troy the day of his return, but many others likewise perished.
        Nay, go to thy chamber, and busy thyself with thine own tasks, the loom and the distaff,
        and bid thy handmaids ply their tasks; but speech shall be for men,
        for all, but most of all for me; since mine is the authority in the house.
Euergetan Id.P.2.24Claiming to be a benefactor of kings, a saviour sōtēr preserver from disease, ills, hurt, 2. epith. of Zeus, to whom persons after a safe voyage offered sacrifice, b. epith. of other gods, as of Apollo, Id.Ag.512, etc.; of Hermes, Id.Ch.2; of Asclepios
4. in LXX and NT, applied to God, LXX De.32.15, al., 1 Ep.Ti.1.1, al.; to Christ, Ev.Luc.2.11, al.

2.
result of work, profit or interest, ergon [khrēmatōn] interest or profit on money, Is.11.42, cf. D.27.10. generally, property, wealth, possessions, theos d' epi ergon aexē
4. he. poieisthai ti to make a matter one's business, attend to it, Od.14.65, cf. 15.372.

ergō, Opposite. logōs 

Works are Opposite to Logos or the Word: Logos is the opposite of poetry or music.
Mēkha^n-ē , 3. theatrical machine by which gods, etc., were made to appear in the air, Pl.Cra.425d, Clit.407a; airein m. I. an art, craft,
Plat. Crat. 425d Socrates
It will, I imagine, seem ridiculous that things are made manifest through imitation in letters and syllables; nevertheless it cannot be otherwise. For there is no better theory upon which we can base the truth of the earliest names, unless you think we had better follow the example of the tragic poets, who, when they are in a dilemma, have recourse to the introduction of gods on machines. So we may get out of trouble by saying that the gods gave the earliest names, and therefore they are right.
Ergon. he. poieisthai ti to make a matter one's business, attend to it, Od.14.65, cf. 15.372.
ergō, opp.
logōs  Works are Opposite to Logos or the Word: Logos is the opposite of poetry or music.


A WORK is anything you do based on your own ability or presumed ability.
Poieō , A. make, produce, first of something material, as manufactures, works of art,  in Hom. freq. of building, the horns of which are made into the sides of the lyre,
4.  after Hom., of Poets, compose, write, p. dithurambon, epea
epea [1. song or lay accompanied by  Music joined with ergon and pragma
IV. iambeia, dithuramboi, etc., rhaptōn epeōn aoidoi Pi.N.2.2; epea te poiein pros luran t' aeidein Theoc.Ep.21.6 ; nikēsas epos IG3.1020 ; poētēs epōn
Hdt.1.23, 4.14; p. theogoniēn Hellēsi Id.2.53; p. Phaidran, Saturous, Ar.Th.153, 157; p. kōmōdian, tragōdian, etc., Pl.Smp.223d; palinōdian Isoc.10.64, Pl.Phdr.243b, etc.; poiēmata Id.Phd.60d: abs., write poetry, write as a poet, orthōs p. Hdt.3.38; en toisi epesi p. Id.4.16, cf. Pl.Ion534b: folld. by a quotation, epoēsas pote . . Ar.Th.193; eis tina Pl.Phd.61b; peri theōn Id.R.383a, etc.
b.  represent in poetry, Homēron Akhillea pepoiēkenai
c.  describe in verse, theon en epesin Pl.R.379a; epoiēsa muthous tous Aisōpou put them into verse, Id.Phd. 61b; muthon Lycurg.100.
3. of sacrifices, festivals, etc., celebrate, p. sabbata observe the Sabbath, LXXEx.31.16; p. taphas,
Ergon erga Kuprogenous Sol.26 ; Aphroditēs h.Ven.1 ; also teknōn es e.
Tekhn-ē , , (tektōn)
A. art, skill, cunning of hand 3. way, manner, or means whereby a thing is gained, without any definite sense of art or craftto learn a thing professionally.

John calls the TECHNE including singers and instrument players "sorcerers" in Revelation 18:22-21.

Tektōn  of poets, tektones sophoi (sc. epeōn) Id.P.3.113; tektones eupalamōn humnōn 2. skilfully wrought, humnoi
Sophos A. skilled in any handicraft or art, clever poets and musicians, Pi.O.1.9, P.1.42, 3.113; en kithara s. E.IT1238 also en oiōnois, kithara, E. IT662, 1238 (
Ergon 4. deed, action, erg' andrōn te theōn te Od.1.338 ; theskela e. Trōōn Il.3.130
Theskelos  A. set in motion by God (kellō), and so marvellous, wondrous, always of things, th. erga deeds or works of wonder, Il.3.130, Od.11.610; theskela eidōs taken by later poets as,= God-inspired (keleuō Hermēs
Ergazomai Ergazomai II. trans., work at, make, erga kluta, of Athena, Od. 20.72, cf. 22.422 ; agalmata, humnous, Pi.N.5.1,I.2.46b. perform rites, ta hiera e. 1 Ep.Cor.9.13Surigx Aniatous

5. work at, practise, mousikēn, tekhnas, etc., Pl.Phd.60e, R.374a, etc.; epistēmas X.Oec.1.7; aretēn kai sōphrosunēn v.l. in Isoc.13.6 ; dikaiosunēn, anomian, Act.Ap.10.35, Ev.Matt.7.23.
Plat. Phaedo 60e They were something like this. The same dream came to me often in my past life, sometimes in one form and sometimes in another, but always saying the same thing: 'Socrates,' it said, 'make music and work at it.' And I formerly thought it was urging and encouraging me

A.
Surigx , iggos, , A. shepherd's pipe, Panspipe, aulōn suriggōn t' enopē Il.10.13; nomēes terpomenoi surigxi 18.526; suriggōn enopē h.Merc.512; hupo ligurōn suriggōn hiesan audēn Hes.Sc.278; ou molpan suriggos ekhōn S.Ph.213 (lyr.); kalaminē s. Ar.Fr.719; kat' agrous tois nomeusi surigx an tis eiē Pl.R.399d.
2. cat-call, whistle, hiss, as in theatres, Id.Lg.700c; cf. surizō 11.2, surigmos:the last part of the nomos Puthikos was called surigges, prob. because it imitated the dying hisses of the serpent Pytho, Str.9.3.10.
3. mouthpiece of the aulos,  [Carried in Judas' bag attached to a flute case]

B.
ania_tos 2. of persons, incurable, incorrigible, Pl.R.410a, Grg.526b;
II. Act., a. metanoia unavailing repentance, Antipho 2.4.12.
Only very simple music is allowed in these texts. Musicians are advised to engage in gymnatics.
Organon defines the TOOLS or MACHINES people use in work as shown by various instruments above.

Organon
, to, (ergon, erdō offer a sacrifice) A. instrument, implement, tool, for making or doing a thing, S.Tr.905, engine of war, 3. musical instrument, ho men di' organōn ekēlei anthrōpous, of Marsyas, Pl.Smp.215c ;
aneu organōn psilois logois ibid., cf. Plt.268b ; o. polukhorda Id.R.399c,
met' ōdēs kai tinōn organōn  Jubal's "organ" was handled "without authority."

Orga^n-ikos , metaph., ho o. eis plēthē logos speech which is brought to bear on the mob,
    Plu.Cat.Mi.4
; of musicians, practical, OPPOSITE. logiko
    By way of instruments, Arist.EN1099b28; -kōteron making more use of instruments,  to kinoun o.
logi^k-os , ē, on, (logos) A. of or for speaking or speech, merē l. the organs of speech, Plu.Cor.38: logikē, , speech, OPPOSITE mousikē,
but also, logical, l. sullogismoi, OPPOSITE. rhētorikoi, Rh.1355a13.
WORKS: leaves us out of the picture except to be Disciples of Christ teaching what He commanded to be Taught. No, He doesn't need to tell disciples not to bring their rhetorician, singers, instrument players or actors to BIBLE CLASS: He even supplies the texbook to MARK those who are not disciples.

All preaching of self-composed sermons, singing, clapping, playing instruments or performing drama ARE

Paul teaches the same things to all of the churches and DEMANDS that the Epistles be READ.  Knowledge does not come from songs and sermons composed as a WORK for which people are PAID. That's called "corrupting the Word" or "selling learning at retail."
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love
        may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Paul says nothing about doing ACTS which people believe will work some magic or make God think that you are WORKING for Him.
Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent;
        that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
        which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; [Tino repay]
        and some also of good will:
Philippians 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention,
        not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
        Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
kaukh-aomai , speak loud, be loud-tongued, k. para kairon Pi.O.9.38,
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
       
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Para-dosis , eōs, , A. handing down, bequeathing, transmission,
2. transmission of legends, doctrines, etc., tradition, didaskalia kai p. Pl.Lg.803a;
3. that which is handed down or bequeathed, tradition, doctrine, teaching, p. tōn presbuterōn Ev.Matt.15.2, Ev.Marc.7.3, etc.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
        All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
         baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Spirit of Christ ordained the nature of the church, ekklesia or synagogue first in the wilderness. While the prophets define the entire monarchy period as evil with no spiritual redeeming values, in Isaiah Christ defined the promised rest -- Pauo in Greek -- from the laded burden and the burden laders.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

The Jews excluded the Gentiles and gladly boasted of shedding their blood rather than being a blessing under the Abrahamic Covenant of Grace.

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ,
        being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
        and strangers from the covenants of promise,
        having no hope, and without God in the world:

That was the view of the Jews: that was not true. The Gentiles were a law unto themselves and were not subject to the Law of Moses.  However, the Law of Moses was given to protect the weak from the strong elite of Civil-Military-Clergy whom Christ in the prophets calls parasites and robbers.

However, the WALL was errected by the Jews and the task of Jesus was to put down the Monarchy which had been abandoned to worship the starry host. Christ in the prophets says that God did not comand the sacrifices or anything involved with the kings whom God "gave in His anger."

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one,
        and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,
        even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
        for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Because of musical idolatry at Mount Sinai God turned the nation over to worship the starry host. The Levites volunteered to execute 3,000 of their brethren for this offense. Because God had abandoned them in fact, He commanded that the Levites stand between the people and any holy thing or place: if you came too close they would execute you. Their music-led system was a shadow, skia or wholly erroneous system: Christ calls it their covenant with death.

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
       
having slain the enmity thereby:

Modern priestcraft uses this system as their authority and musicians play the role of the Levites: they in truth intend to keep any of the "commoners" away from the performance area. There is enmity even when you hire a person to teach the congregation when elders are not "apt."

Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Jesus promised "another" or different in some respects and then said "I" will come to you. In 1 John 2 the name of that Comforter Spirit:

1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
        And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
        Jesus Christ the righteous:

1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins:
        and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1John 2:4 He that saith, I know him,
         and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word,
        in him verily is the love of God perfected:
         hereby know we that we are in him.
1John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him
ought himself also so to walk,
        even as he walked
.


Jesus of Nazareth in His "changed" post-resurrected state is Holy Spirit.

1Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved,
        and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God,
        and one mediator between God and men,
        the man Christ Jesus;
1Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Love and Faith is not perfected by religious observations nor by the works of human hands. There is nothing in the Chriat-ordained synagogue from the wilderness onward but to be a disciple of Christ: they way to know and show that you are a disciple of Christ is to "speak that which is written for our lerning."

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
         but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Jesus Christ added to His church those who were being baptized to receive A holy personal spirit in Acts 2.  The house of God is the Church of Christ: its role is defined solely as teaching what Christ commanded to be taught through the Prophets and Apostles.  Peter left a written memory of this apostolic eye and ear-witness and warned that anyone who "further expounded" it was a false teacher.

The Jews were also under bondage to that "crooked race."  When they are saved they are built up, edified or educated not by the kings and priests and levites but:

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
        Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.


10.20.11 53

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