The Reading Acts 16:22-25

Dear Brother Eric, Could you please help me with a question I have had ever since I became a Christian. I used to really enjoy contemporary religious music which used instrumental music. Is it permissible to listen and sing along to religious-themed songs that use musical instruments? Are Eph 5:19 and Col 3:16 specific to assembly times only or does it apply at all times? I look forward to your response as this has had me puzzled. (Please keep me anonymous. Thanks)

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY

What all these have in Common with many churches today? They all sing “gospel” music and many people even Christians buy they're CD saying that is not harmful!

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (Act 16:25)

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY Is it wrong to worship God with mechanical instruments of music? Yes, it is sinful. It is without Bible authority! God specified singing as the music for worship! It is an addition to God’s word!

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY Most understand this application in the assembly. But what about outside of the assembly? Is it wrong to worship God in song accompanied by mechanical instruments of music outside the assembly?

Singing is regulated by god

SINGING IS REGULATED BY GOD SCRIPTURE MUSIC AUTHORIZED Mat. 26:30 SUNG Mk. 14:26 Acts 16:25 SINGING Rom. 15:9 SING 1 Cor. 14:15 Eph. 5:19 Col. 3:16 Heb 2:12 Heb 13:15 FRUIT OF LIPS Jas. 5:13

SINGING IS REGULATED BY GOD Which of these regulates the assembly only? Which outside the assembly? Which, if any, cover both?

SINGING IS REGULATED BY GOD In The Assembly 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 2:12 Outside The Assembly Mt. 26:30*; Mk. 14:26*; Acts 16:25 In or Out of Assembly Rom. 15:9; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 13:15; Jas. 5:13 Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 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. James 5:13 (NKJV) 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Matthew 26:30 (NKJV) 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 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 to Your name." Hebrews 2:12 saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." 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.

SINGING IS REGULATED BY GOD In Acts 16:25, we have an approved example of singing ONLY outside the assembly. We have two passages that regulate singing ONLY in the assembly. We have some five other passages that regulate singing ONLY in or out of the assembly. Thus, Bible authority limits us to singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs ONLY. THERE IS NO AUTHORITY TO ACCOMPANY PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS WITH MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Singing is not limited to the assembly

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY What is worship? How and when can we worship? “Worship” is a translation of several words. It basically means to; kiss the hand, respect to, revere religiously, reverence, to honor religiously, to render religious service to, etc.

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY Vines said, “The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the above verbs shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgment.”

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY All we do is not worship (wash the dishes, brush teeth, go fishing, etc.) But, at the same time, worship is not limited to the assembly only (excluding L.S. and collection). Worship is not limited to time or place (Jn. 4:24): Jesus was worshipped privately– Mt. 2:2; 9:18; 14:33 God was worshipped privately – Acts 16:25

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY Lord’s Supper; first day of the week only - Acts 20:7 Collection; first day of the week only - 1 Cor. 16:1-2 What about preaching, praying and singing? They are not limited to the assembly.

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY Preaching can be done anywhere! Acts 13:44; Acts 8:35 Preaching is regulated in or out of the assembly! Preach the Gospel only! Mk. 16:15; Act 20:27; 1 Tim. 1:3; 1 Tim. 2:12

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY Prayer can be done anywhere! Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; 1 Tim. 2:8 Praying is regulated in or out of the assembly! To Pray according to God’s will! Jn. 14:13-14; 1 Jn. 5:14-15; 1 Tim. 2:8,12

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ASSEMBLY Singing can also be done anywhere! Acts 16:25; Jas. 5:13 Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is regulated in/out of the assembly! Sing ONLY! Sing with the understanding – 1 Cor. 14:15. Congregational singing - Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16. Sing for praise and edification, not entertainment Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.

SINGING IS NOT LIMITED TO THEASSEMBLY God has regulated our singing whether we’re in or out of the assembly (Col. 3:17)! If we can have unauthorized music outside the assembly, we can have unauthorized preaching and prayer outside of the assembly! THERE IS NO AUTHORITY TO ACCOMPANY PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS WITH MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS IN OR OUT OF THE ASSEMBLY.

PSALMS, HYMNS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY

PSALMS, HYMNS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY We cannot sing secular music to God; there is no authority for such! God has regulated the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, but what is that?

PSALMS, HYMNS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY What is a psalm? G5568 – ψαλμός - psalmos Thayer Definition: 1) a striking, twanging; ; 1a) of a striking the chords of a musical instrument; 1b) of a pious song, a psalm Vines: primarily denoted "a striking or twitching with the fingers (on musical strings)"; then, "a sacred song, sung to musical accompaniment, a psalm.“It is used (a) of the OT book of "Psalms," Luk 20:42; Luk 24:44; Act 1:20; (b) of a particular "psalm," Act 13:33 (cf. Act 13:35); (c) of "psalms" in general, 1Co 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16. Not limited to the book of psalms.

PSALMS, HYMNS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY What is a hymn? G5215 - ὕμνος – humnos - Thayer Definition: 1) a song in the praise of gods, heroes, ; conquerors; 2) a sacred song, hymn Vines: denotes "a song of praise addressed to God" Any sacred song that is set aside for praising and magnifying God.

PSALMS, HYMS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY What is a song? G5603 - ᾠδή - ōdē - Thayer Definition: 1) a song, lay, ode Vines: "an ode, song," is always used in the NT (as in the Sept.), in praise of God or Christ; in Eph 5:19 and Col 3:16 the adjective "spiritual" is added, because the word in itself is generic and might be used of songs anything but spiritual; This could be any song, but these are “spiritual” songs; that is, pertaining to God, spiritual things.

PSALMS, HYMNS, OR SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY These are songs that are set apart for a special purpose, to God, and in that sense are holy (i.e. L.S. elements). They are designed to worship and praise God and teach His word, they are not secular music. Any song that fits one of these cannot be sung with a mechanical instrument! Remember, it is the WORDS that make these a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song, not the melody! PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE TO BE SUNG ONLY IN OR OUT OF THE ASSEMBLY.

What then must we do?

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? There is no authority to sing psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs with instrumental accompaniment in or out of the assembly! Therefore, we shouldn’t sing psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs with an instrument at home, in a band, in a school choir, anywhere else!

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? What about listening to psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs with instrumental accompaniment?

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? Yes! What about listening? I wouldn’t say it was sinful in every case, but: Is it sinful to sing these songs with instruments? Yes!

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? What about listening? What then does that make this music? “Gospel” Music? “Christian” Rock? No, it is sinful music! Worship that God did not authorize! How can we call sinful music Gospel or Christian? What is the difference between this music and any other worldly music with filthy and explicit lyrics?

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? What about listening? Are we willfully subjecting ourselves to it, or unwillingly being subjected to it? Are we enjoying listening to it, or hating to hear it? Why would a Christian choose to listen to sinful music?

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? What about listening? This is sinful music! How can we enjoy it? It is rebellion to God – 1 Sam. 15:23 It is like the worship of Cain – Jude 11; Gen. 4; 1 Jn. 3:12 It is profane worship – Lev. 10:1-2 It is hated by the Lord – Heb. 1:9; Rom. 12:9; Psa. 119:104 It is of this world – 1 Jn. 2:15-17 It will cause people to be lost – Isa. 59:1-2; Eze. 33:11 It could cause us to be lost – 1 Tim. 5:22

WHAT THEN MUST WE DO? What about listening? While it may not be a sin to listen to it in all cases, it certainly could be depending on our choices. WE MUST SUBMIT TO GOD’S AUTHORITY REGULATING PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS!

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY Is it sinful to worship God in song accompanied by mechanical instruments of music outside the assembly? Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is clearly regulated by God. Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is not limited to the assembly. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are to be sung only. Therefore, to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs accompanied by mechanical instruments is sinful in or out of the assembly.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OUTSIDE THE ASSEMBLY Will this affect what music we buy, sing, listen to, and play? It must. May our hearts be honest and choose rightly, according to God’s word. “Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin. “(Jas 4:17)

God’s Plan For Your Salvation Hear – Romans 10:17 Believe – John 8:24 Repent – Acts 2:38 Confess – Romans 10:9-10 Immersion – 1 Peter 3:21 Faithfulness – Revelation 2:10