Regulative Heart

Regulative Heart works to bring Bible truth and sound music to the Church. Songs are adapted from Gadsby's hymns and Psalms in various musical styles.

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

OK , it's long but I have just completed this peer reviewed article that you should read:

The Church, its Historical Existenceand Importance
By Greg Pearson (edited by others)

The Church began in the heart, mind, and will of the Triune God. The universal Church is neither a building nor an organization, but the Body of Christ made up all of those who have been united with him—past, present, and future—and who constitute the Bride the Holy Spirit is calling and preparing for the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9).

The visible Church began in the Old Testament, so it is there that we begin to gather our understanding of its importance and necessity. When God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt, and brought them to Mt. Sinai, He had Moses organize them by tribe around the tabernacle that was built according to the Law of God. Until they finally settled in Canaan forty-some years later, that was their life, together around and near the “house of God.”

The translators of the King James Version of the Bible wrote that Stephen called Israel “the Church” in his recorded sermonin Acts 7. Although other translations chose different words they were all translating the Greek word always used for “church” in the New Testament, “Ekklesia.” (literally, “the called out ones,” or assembly, gathering). Israel gathered and did “church things,” and in the eyes of New Testament saints like Stephen, Israel was the original church.

Nehemiah and Ezra werethe last two men God used for revival of His nation after they returned home after 70 years in exile in Babylon(Nehemiah ends the Old Testament historical narrative in the 430’s BC). In Jerusalem, they called together the returned exiles, to rebuild the temple and citywalls. Then they read and explained the Law, assembled choirs and paid them, reestablished Levitical order and duties and required tithes and taxes for their support and the upkeep of the city and temple. They were being and doing church https://t.co/Sys0OMF1vV when we discuss the importance of the church in God’s sight, we must start with the church He called out and assembled in the Old Testament.

I begin the last paragraph about the Old Testament “church” this way, God intended that the life of the people of Israel be centered upon the temple and the law with its requirements. There was legitimately no such thingas a “lone Israelite.” They either were or weren’t, faithful or outcast, according to the law. Butdespite their sin and God’s judgmentsthere always remained a remnant of God’s people.

During the period between the Old and New Testaments, the faithful still met regularly in the synagogue and observed the rhythms of worship established by God for the benefit of His people. So when God established the New Testament church it is not surprising at all that He had them gather and serve, as a matter of conviction, constantly, as did the faithful before them.

The New Testament Church (“the Church”) was established with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as recorded in Acts chapter 2. At the end of Acts 2 we see how the church grew and assembled. After the preaching of the Spirit-filled 120 who were gathered in that room in Jerusalem at Pentecost, the latter part of Acts 2 tells us those who believed were baptized and counted – 3,000 were counted that day. Then the New Testament Church started being and doing church things, now with the presence of the Holy Spirit among them in a new way. Here is how Luke wrote about that at the end of Acts 2:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

It all seems organic, they gathered constantly doing church things, and God kept adding to them. Reading on through Acts, wherever the Church was established, they met and did “church” things. The early part of Acts 4 tells us 5,000 men were added to the Jerusalem church, certainly divided in to smaller gatherings. As we read on, the people started giving from their financial resources to care for the needy especially – again, doing church things.

In Acts 5, Peter and John, having been jailed and released by an angel already, were standing before the High Priest again. There, the High Priest made a telling statement about how large the church was becoming. The High Priest said to them, “you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.” How many was that? We don’t know, but noting the counting previously, we can be sure the Apostleswere counting each soul so they could account for, teach, and care for them.

Going on, in Samaria Phillip preached, and we read of men and women being baptized into the church there. In Acts 9, we read about “the Church” in Judea, Galilee and Samaria (known groups) being “‘built up”’ and Luke says “it multiplied.” Again we find the Churchbenefiting from services that would build them up, and the group multiplying (if not counted, certainly known and integrated into the functional body).

Also in Acts 9, we read of Peter coming “to the saints” (a known group) in Lydda. There he famously healed a paralyzed man resulting in “all the residents of Lydda and Sharon” turning to the Lord. The disciples at Joppa (a known group) asked Peter to come to them, resulting in the Lord using him to raise Dorcas from the dead. In the mean time, because many believers had been scattered, escaping the persecuting that had arisen when Stephen was martyred, they had carried the gospel to Jews living in places like Antioch where there was “a great number” who turned to the Lord. Paul and Barnabas spent a year there meeting with the Church (not a random group of people) teaching them. This is the church that would send Paul and Barnabas into the Gentile world to preach the Gospel and build the church.

At the end of Acts 11 we see this beautiful picture of “the disciples” (the church) sending financial relief to the brothers and sisters—members of the body of Christ— in Judea. The church did that, evidently by congregational (members) agreement. At the beginning of chapter 13, the prophets and elders of that same church sent Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. After they had traveled far and preached in several cities, Paul being stoned in one of them but lifted up by the prayers of the church gathered around his still body, Paul and Barnabas circled back to strengthen the young churches in those cities. They were “encouraging the congregations to continue in the faith” and notably appointing elders in every church (I.e., local churches) (Acts 14:23). Then they returned to Antioch and gave a report to the gathered local church there (14:27).

In Acts 15, at the end of Paul’s and Barnabas’ visit to Jerusalem to clarify the mission of the gospel to Gentiles, we read that the apostles, elders, and church selected men to send back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, along with a clarifying letter for future ministry to Gentiles. Arriving back in Antioch, note thatthey “gathered the congregation together” and read the letter. Then Paul took Silas and he departed on his second missionary journey “strengthening the churches” in Syria and Cilicia, then many others, including Lystra where they would meet Timothy. Notable is this from Acts 16:5, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.” Someone noticed the growth, and perhaps even counted.

Then came what is famously referred to as “the Macedonian call,” whereby Paul and Silas were led by God’s to Macedonia with the cities, Phillipi, (where they were jailed and released by an angel, and where they met Lydia), Berea, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth. In each place a functional congregation of the Church was established, which would soon be multiple congregations. At Corinth Paul stayed 18 months teaching the young church there. Notably, three of these churches received letters from Paul, with Corinth and Thessalonica receiving more than one. In each letter Paul addressed those he was writing as “the church” or “the saints.” He was writing to known, gathered believers, God’s holy people, encouraging them to be and do church things.

On the way back to Antioch, Paul stopped off by himself at Ephesus and was so fruitful there they asked him to stay. He did not but would return later. Instead Paul returned to Antioch, gave another report, and he was off to parts of Asia Minor strengthening the disciples (churches) there. Then Paul returned to Ephesus and stayed two years, strengthening the disciples (church) there and having discussions with outsiders daily. Leaving Ephesus Paul returned to many cities where he had spread the Gospel in Macedonia. He ended the journey with a return toEphesus again where he called togetherthe elders (pastors) of the churches there to say his final goodbye. Though a letter would still come later, this was Paul’s last time with them. Acts 20:36-38 shows how close Paul had become to the elders there, and certainly to their churches.

There is more to the Acts, but let’s leave it there, having made the point that the church is not and cannot be just an optional “luxury” enjoyed by some. Read the Acts of the Apostles. It will show you how much Paul and others suffered to get to and teach those young churches. You will see that Paul didn’t just go, he was sent by a congregation (I would guess unanimously). Paul did not just leave those young churches he founded relying on what he had taught them. He appointed elders (pastors) he would leave behind to continue toteach and care for those local congregations. Thoselocal congregations certainly knew who and how many belonged among them. There is absolutely no doubt about that.

There is a little more to see. Other than the instructive and often corrective letters Paul wrote to several churches, he also wrote to two men who had roles that included appointment of pastors for local churches. Most telling in regard to the structure of the church is the letter to Titus. I think this is so because Paul wrote to him instructing him to appoint elders in every city. The church on Crete seems to have consisted of multiple congregations in each city. Knowing that is true in most cities, the Bible assigns elders/pastors/bishops to exercise oversight of, care for, and teach those congregations. It is certain in that time the church was very serious about being the church. These appointed leaders knew and had expectations of faithfulness of every member of their congregations, and the congregations expected their elders to lead them faithfully and well..

One group of believers who seemed to have those who wavered in their faith in Christ alone was among the Israelites. Someone wrote them a letter about that showing them the superiority of Christ over angelic beings, Moses, Joshua, priests, the High Priests, even the first named priest of God, Melchizedek. The writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, urged them to hold fast, believingthat they would. Toward the end of the letter, hoping to establish them in a strong position, he wrote,

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 HCSB

Clearly it was necessary for those who were members of the church to meet together asthe church!

The apostle John wrote the latest letters in the New Testament, 1, 2 & 3 John. In his first letter he wrote to help the saints have assurance in Christ. In chapter 5 of that letter he said he wrote in order for the recipients (and us) to know we have eternal life. He basically applied two tests, the sin test and the love test. He said the one who continues in a sinful life nor the one who does not loves fellow saints possesseseternal life. That puts it bluntly but truthfully. How can one who has little (just attending on Easter and Christmas) or nothing to do with Christ’s church claim to belong to Him when they clearly donot love His people? Where in their lifeis there even one act of love for the church or for Christ? John spoke the truth about those who were once known as part of the church but left it. He wrote,

“They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us” (1 John 2:19)..”

The Holy Spirit will speak to those in that situation. Having starting seemingly well, as many do, have they now abandoned the congregation of the Lord’s people? Have they abandoned Christ as well? That is, was their engagement with the church just that and not engagement with Christ Himself? Anyone who was once part of the Church but left it must grapple with what that actually means regarding their eternal soul.

The Church possesses authority to judge its affairs and its members. In Matthew 18 Jesus said the church He builds will have authority to bind and loose on earth as it is in Heaven. As it judges itself and its members, it has the authority even to pronounce a judgment on an unrepentant member resulting on the member’s exclusion from the church until he or she repents (Matthew 18; 1 Corinthians. 5; 2 Corinthians. 2). That only works when he or she is a known and enrolled member of a local church. Otherwise, what authority does a local church have over those who merely attend and can easily go elsewhere without consequence?

Of course the local church must exercise its authority regarding many things, not just that extreme. Paul said that we will judge the world and angels in the age to come (1 Corinthians. 6). He wrote that as he was writing about the church’s authority to judge matters of the church and its members, and keeping those matters out of worldly courts. All of us must submit ourselves to the collective authority of our brothers and sisters in a regularly meetinglocal congregation.

Believers must also live under the care and authority of church pastors/elders/bishops. I have already written about who they are to the churchand why they are needed in the churches. Every believer must live under the collective authority of the recognized elders in their local church. Hebrews 13:17 says:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

The authority and responsibility of pastors/elders/bishops is clearly established, as is that of the members of the congregation. The next verse (Hebrews 13:18) instructs us to live such that they can fulfill their ministry with joy, not grieving over bothersome or even missing members. In the same chapter believers are exhorted to model their lives after what they see in their leaders. Paul and Peter both wrote similar exhortations in their letters to various churches.

The importance of belonging to a congregation is established by the various letters written by apostles and dictated by Christ in the Revelation. Other than those written to specific men, letters were written to churches by name and were instructive for those congregations. In those days, believers ‘going it alone’ without the knowledge given thecongregationswould never have heard the important instruction, warning and exhortation in those letters. Sure, having a Bible today gives go-it-alone professed believers the ability to read and learn from the apostles, but let’s be realistic. . . Enough said I think.

The church is a body, the body of Christ, with each member fulfilling their role(s) in a local congregation and beyond. As Paul wrote, we are eyes, mouths and hands, etc. being used by the Holy Spirit to care for one another.. The church is and has always been an assembly of God’s people under the authority of God’s appointed men from Moses to today’s faithful pastors. God nor the Son of God intends that the congregation of the saints have unknown or missing members without intervention and pursuit.

I pray that this brief overview regarding the Church and its members is beneficial to the church’s faithful members by affirming them, and missing members by moving you to repent and return to a faithful local congregation. Those congregations willobserve the ordinances that Christ gave the church. Furthermore, that healthy church will also preach and teach the scriptures faithfully, worship together with mind and heart, and serve together joyfully.

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

@bosveryaaaaaaaa 4

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

@Dilekk344 28 Duh

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

HANNAH SHORT #worshipmusic #christianmusic #gospelmusic https://t.co/WcAwiunnDl via @YouTube

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

Gotcha. well received. But the issue is not just the office but the title. A non-preaching staff member who is a woman must not have the title "pastor." Why? Because younger and some current generations will think female "pastors" are fine in general because they had a "Childrens' Pastor," etc. So the issue continues in the SBC

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

OK Denny, I hear you, but please hear me also. The issue is not function but title(s). The title, pastor, etc., must be reserved for men only for the sake of some current and all future generations. That is, can a woman be a staff pastor by title, even if she does not preach? If so, what are children and teens and new converts (and some old) learning?

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

A 2025 study by LANDR found that an overwhelming 87% of music producers and artists report using AI in at least one part of their creative workflow, from songwriting to mastering. While earlier surveys showed lower adoption, current trends indicate AI is becoming standard for technical tasks (79%) and, increasingly, creative songwriting and promotional tasks (66%).

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

A 2025 study by LANDR found that an overwhelming 87% of music producers and artists report using AI in at least one part of their creative workflow, from songwriting to mastering. While earlier surveys showed lower adoption, current trends indicate AI is becoming standard for technical tasks (79%) and, increasingly, creative songwriting and promotional tasks (66%).

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

A 2025 study by LANDR found that an overwhelming 87% of music producers and artists report using AI in at least one part of their creative workflow, from songwriting to mastering. While earlier surveys showed lower adoption, current trends indicate AI is becoming standard for technical tasks (79%) and, increasingly, creative songwriting and promotional tasks (66%).

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

@Hellmania You mean the artist Jason Deford? Oh, not his stage name.

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

@Hellmania Have you put artists under oath? Get ready to!

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

What do you mean by authenticity? I AI to help me produce my songs (like almost everybody). And think about it, every song you hear streaming today had a producer, probably a third party, many helped by AI. All of the instruments on those songs were most-likely played by other people, or again, maybe AI. Take artists like Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood for example. They didn’t play an instrument on their albums. And some of Carrie’s biggest songs were not written by her. And I promise, the musicians on tour are not the same as on their recordings! Authenticity huh? I don’t even play on my recordings because I’m not as good as the alternative. But ALL of the lyrics and music on my were written 100% by a real person. Me!

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

@Hellmania Are you excluding major artists who use AI at any point in writing, recording, performing? Get ready to be sued.

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

What do you mean by authenticity? I AI to help me produce my songs (like almost everybody). And think about it, every song you hear streaming today had a producer, probably a third party, many helped by AI. All of the instruments on those songs were most-likely played by other people, or again, maybe AI. Take artists like Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood for example. They didn’t play an instrument on their albums. And some of Carrie’s biggest songs were not written by her. And I promise, the musicians on tour are not the same as on their recordings! Authenticity huh? I don’t even play on my recordings because I’m not as good as the alternative. But ALL of the lyrics and music on my were written 100% by a real person. Me!

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

But here's the deal @Spotify :
Yes, AI helps me produce my songs (like almost everybody). Think about it, every song you hear streaming today had a third party producer, many helped by AI (just ask). All of the instruments on those songs were most-likely played by other people, or again, maybe AI. Take artists like Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood for example. They didn’t play an instrument on their albums. And some of Carrie’s biggest songs were not written by her. I don’t even play on my recordings because I’m not as good as other options I have available. But ALL of the lyrics and music were written 100% by a real person. Me!
Sooo?

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

Introducing Verified by Spotify, a Signal of Authenticity and Trust for the Artists Behind the Music
https://t.co/ae5lVKrZM4

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

Good morning! Today is release day for our new project, "Psalms Sung New". We have adapted 26 beloved Psalms for todays styles and meter, etc. Listen now on all streaming services under the artist "Regulative Heart." Here is the Spotify...
https://t.co/ob201zBWxF

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

Error: This post is from December 8.

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

I am very familiar with Christian music as a pastor, worship leader and manager (for a time) of a Christian band on a major label. I have come to say that Christians are often better off listening to secular music than so-called Christian music. At least we know to filter what we hear from the secular, but we often take in Christian music as truth without proper discernment. Today, November 24, 2025, here are my thoughts regarding the top 20 Christian songs according to “20, the Countdown Magazine.” So continue reading in replies.

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

20. The Way - Jon Reddick
Yes! This is what CCM should always be and say! This wonderful song clearly exalts Jesus BY NAME which most CCM doesn’t today. Come on CCM artists, take a cue from this song!

[Regulative Heart @REGULATIVEHEART]

19. I’ve Just Seen Too Much - Big Daddy Weave
Something Psalmists have done through the history of God’s people is reminded us of what God has done in the past. That encouraged countless Israelites through history. Individually, in Christ we have the same story. We look at what our faithful God has done in our lives and we know He will take care of us.
BDW has put this reality in a compelling way that should encourage all of us who know Jesus. Don’t be discouraged; remember what God has done, and what He has said He will do!
Great song!