Transcript File - Southside Church of Christ

“Singing is Music in
Worship.”
Most who attempt to talk to
others about Christ are asked:
“Why doesn’t the Church of
Christ use music in worship?”
We know what is meant:
• “Why don’t you use a piano, organ, or
other musical instruments in worship?”
• This lesson has a two-fold purpose:
1) To give a refresher synopsis of “singing
as an act of worship”; and
2) To help answer the question we’re often
asked about “musical instruments.”
Why we “sing” in worship:
• Because the N.T. specifies it at least 9 places:
Matt.26:30 Jesus and the disciple sang
Acts 16:25 Paul and Silas were singing
Rom.15:9 David prophesied the Gentiles would sing
1Cor.14:15 Paul wrote to the Corinthians about singing
Eph.5:19 Singing was to one another and the Lord
Col.3:16 Singing was to teaching and admonish us and
express thankfulness to God
Heb.2:12 Singing was to express praise
Heb.13:15 Praises…the fruit of lips could be prayer or some
other expression, but most likely refers to singing
James 5:13 A cheerful heart is to sing praises
“But not all of those are talking
about a “worship service.”
• True. Because of this fact, singing is one act of
worship that is not limited to the assembly.
>In this way, it is like prayer, Luke 18:1; Acts 16:25.
>But, it is different from the Lord’s Supper which is never
depicted outside the assembly in the N.T.
• “So if it’s outside the assembly, can we use
mechanical instruments in our singing praises to
God?”
>Is there any command or example of such in the N.T.?
>“Yes, in Revelation!”
>Since all the depictions of musical instruments in
Revelation are in heaven, when you get to heaven you can
use any musical instruments you find to praise God while
you sing!
Reasons often to justify
instrumental music in worship:
• “The N.T. doesn’t say not to use them.”
>No, it doesn’t. It also doesn’t say “not to” use lamb
and milk as elements for the Lord’s Supper. Why not
use them since they are symbolic, John 1:36,
1Pet.2:2?
>The simple answer? When God specifies what He
desires, it eliminates other forms not specified.
Lev.10:1-2 Nabab and Abihu had no regard for this
principal and it cost them their lives.
Heb.7:14 The specified tribe for the priesthood was
Levi. Jesus was of Judah. Thus, even the Son of
Man could not be a priest according to God’s Law.
Reasons often to justify
instrumental music in worship:
• “They used instruments of music in the O.T.”
>Yes they did. Psalm 150; 2Chron.29:25
>The O.T. was God’s law for the Jewish people who
lived from Moses until the death of Jesus, Heb.10:9.
>With Jesus’ death, that Law was removed and
replaced with the Gospel of the kingdom- Christ’s
Law of the N.T. cf. Col.2:14; Gal.3:23-25; 2:21; 5:4
Reasons often to justify
instrumental music in worship:
• “The Greek word ‘psallo’ in Eph.5:19 means ‘to
play’ (like on an instrument).”
>Actually, it means to pull, rub, strike, pluck, or vibrate.
>But what “instrument” is specified in the verse that is
to be plucked, rubbed, struck, etc.?
>The instrument is “your heart”.
>Since the verse indicates all are to psallo, wouldn’t it
require that all play the strings of their hearts in
melodious praise to the Lord?
>The truth is that the word psallo appears five times in
the N.T. and in not one of them is it translated as
anything other than “sing”. (Rom.15:9; 1Cor.14:15 x2;
Eph.5:19; and Jas.5:13)
Please notice some facts:
• The apostles were to be, and were, guided into “all
truth” by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John 14:26;
16:13. And yet one of them uttered a word in the N.T.
about any Christian on earth ever praising God with an
instrument of music. 1Cor.4:6
• Jesus never uttered a word in command or acceptance
of instrumental music in worship to Him. Rev.22:18-19
• The Jews under the Law of Moses did use instruments
in worship- so why is it so conspicuously absent from
N.T. worship? The instruments were available.
• Instrumental music was first introduced into “Christian
worship” by the Roman Catholic Pope Vitalian in 660
A.D., but it was not commonly used until even later.
Where was it for 630 years if it was acceptable to God?
Please notice some facts:
• Even early denominational leaders were opposed to the
use of instruments of music in worship;
>Martin Luther (Lutherans) is on record as opposed.
>John Calvin (Presbyterians) is on record as opposed.
>Charles Spurgeon (Baptists) is likewise on record as opposed.
>John Wesley (Methodists) said, “I have no objection to
instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither
heard nor seen.”
>Adam Clarke added to Wesley’s words, “I say the same, though I
think the expense of purchase had better be spared.” (Clarke’s
Notes on Amos 6:5)
• Instrumental music in worship to the Lord is not wrong
because of these men’s, nor other’s, words- it is wrong
because God’s Word didn’t supply it for our worship of
Him.
So,
• When we gather to worship God, we “sing” as
specified in His word:
>with our spirits and our minds, 1Cor.14:15
>with melodies of thanksgiving in our hearts, Eph.5:19b
>with teaching and admonitions for one another,
Col.3:16
>and praise and worship for God, Heb.2:12.
• The real question then becomes:
Why doesn’t everyone, given what
the New Testament says?