MUSIC IN WORSHIP Part 2

What some religious leaders of the past said about instrumental music. John Calvin—Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law… Martin Luther called the organ “an ensign of Baal.” Charles Spurgeon quotes I Corinthians 14:15— “I will pray the spirit, and I will pray with understanding also; I will sing with spirit and I will sing with the understanding also,” then said, “I would just as soon to pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery”

John Wesley—I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither seen nor heard. Adam Clarke—Music as a science I esteem and admire; but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. Alexander Campbell—Instrumental music has about as much place in worship as a cow bell in a symphony orchestra.

We Are Commanded To Sing We also have examples of people singing praises to God. Matthew 26:30 Acts 16:25 Romans 15:9 I Corinthians 14:15, 26 Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16 Hebrews 2:12 James 5:19 Singing is one of our acts of worship. It should not be considered as just singing.

Why Do We Not Use Instrumental Music In Worship? It is not a question of having music in the worship service. The question is, should this music be Vocal Instrumental Vocal accompanied by instrument(s) It is not authorized. Guiding principle: Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent. Acceptable worship must be done by divine authority. John 4:23-24 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

A plea for first century Christianity The first century church did not use musical instruments in worship to the Lord. When did it start? 670 AD by Pope Vitian. It came into its full effect in the 9th century. 643 years after The Ascension of Christ The beginning of the church The organ came into worship. The only safe Christianity is a first century Christianity.

“Does not the Greek verb ‘psallo’ include playing? In his book “Instrumental Music In the Worship,” MC Kurfee tells us the word “psallo” has carried five different meanings through the course of time. To pluck the hair; To twang the bowstring; To twitch a carpenter’s line. To touch the chords of a musical instrument. To touch the chords of the human heart. Which one does Paul use in the New Testament? Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with (in) your heart to the Lord; The heart is the instrument in which the melody is to be made.

Arguments To Justify The Use Of Musical Instruments In Worship Instrumental music had its part in Old Testament worship. This is true. David worshipped with a musical instrument. To be consistent with this argument we would also have to add Circumcision The burning of incense Animal sacrifices Those who make this argument do not understand the difference between the Old and New Testament. II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We need to know how to divide the covenants. We are not under the old law. Colossians 2:14 Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant,'' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. The Old Testament, including the 10 commandments, were given to the Jews only.

There is question if this verse should be taken literal or figurative. It is right to use instrumental music in worship because there will be harps in heaven. Revelation 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. If the harps are a part of our worship shouldn’t the golden bowls of incense also be part of our worship. There is question if this verse should be taken literal or figurative. Whether they are in heaven or not, God still has not authorized bowls of incense or harps in our worship to him. It is alright to use it because it aid our singing.

Are we singing to entertain? As to whether or not the instrument aids the singing depends on the purpose for which we sing. Are we singing to entertain? To appeal to those who have no desire to worship in spirit and truth? Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teach- ing and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord Our singing should be to God. We teach and admonish one another when we sing. Often the instruments being used drown out the words where there can be no teaching and admonishing.

These items do not change the God authorized music. Is not a pitch pipe, tuning fork, or even using a song book adding to the worship? These items do not change the God authorized music. Are tuning forks or pitch pipes instruments of music? I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. The use of a song book keeps things less confusing. I Corinthians 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. The use of a song book helps us comply to this command.

The Lord commanded us to make vocal music in worship. You have it at home. We have and do many things at home that we do not have or do in worship. The Lord commanded us to make vocal music in worship. The Bible does not say not to have it. This is an argument from silence and silence can prove nothing. To accept this argument would open the door to all sorts of things being added to our worship. I Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

The Jews used instrumental music in their worship to God. Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire to the Lord because they wanted to. They were punished What will be the fate of those who use instrumental music in their worship just because they want to? The Jews used instrumental music in their worship to God. The pagans used instrumental music in their worship to their gods As they came together and became Christians, why did they not use instrumental music in their worship to the Lord? They were guided by the Spirit.

Given by David Hamlin on August 2, 2009 pm Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org