Music in WorshipMusic in Worship

““Why don’t you have it?”Why don’t you have it?”

The Music God WantsThe Music God Wants

Every NT reference to music in worship Every NT reference to music in worship speaks of singing. speaks of singing.

Conclusion:

God wants only singing in the church’s worship

Matthew 26:30Matthew 26:30 Mark 14:26Mark 14:26 Acts 16:25Acts 16:25 Romans 15:9Romans 15:9 1 Cor. 14:151 Cor. 14:15 Ephesians 5:19Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16Colossians 3:16 Hebrews 2:12Hebrews 2:12 James 5:13James 5:13 Rev. 5:8; 14:2Rev. 5:8; 14:2

Some argue,

““Playing an instrument is inherent Playing an instrument is inherent in the meaning of the Greek in the meaning of the Greek

words words psallōpsallō and and psalmospsalmos.” .”

Every NT translation of Every NT translation of psallōpsallō (from (from psaōpsaō meaning to meaning to twitch or twang) is “twitch or twang) is “sing”sing”, “, “sing praises”sing praises”, “, “make make melody”melody”..

Strong’s: Strong’s: psalmospsalmos – a set piece of music – a set piece of music accompanied with voice, harp or other instrument.accompanied with voice, harp or other instrument.

In the NT, a mechanical instrument is never In the NT, a mechanical instrument is never mentioned in connection with these Greek words.mentioned in connection with these Greek words.

James 5:13James 5:13 requirement to sing requirement to sing psalmspsalms (“ (“praise”praise” – – ESVESV) when cheerful is distorted if ) when cheerful is distorted if psallōpsallō means “play”. means “play”.

Also consider Also consider Colossians 3:16cColossians 3:16c as parallel to as parallel to Ephesians 5:19b'sEphesians 5:19b's making melodymaking melody ( (PsallontesPsallontes))

““The word The word psalmpsalm means they means they were originally sung to were originally sung to

instrumental accompaniment.” instrumental accompaniment.”

In the OT, some were & some were not.In the OT, some were & some were not.All the psalms we have were in use All the psalms we have were in use

during the time of Jesus and the apostles.during the time of Jesus and the apostles.Secular history indicates early Christians Secular history indicates early Christians

sung the Psalms during worship, sung the Psalms during worship, especially around the Lord’s table.especially around the Lord’s table.

Some argue,

"The Bible does not say, ‘You "The Bible does not say, ‘You shall not use the instrument'." shall not use the instrument'."

Nothing is said of emblems we are Nothing is said of emblems we are notnot to to use on the Lord’s table.use on the Lord’s table.

Jews preaching circumcision were wrong Jews preaching circumcision were wrong because it was because it was notnot commanded. commanded. Acts 15:24Acts 15:24

Priests did not come from the tribe of Priests did not come from the tribe of Judah because Moses Judah because Moses never spokenever spoke of of that. that. Hebrews 7:13, 14Hebrews 7:13, 14

Silence does not authorize in any venue.Silence does not authorize in any venue.

Some argue,

““Instruments were used in Instruments were used in Old Testament worship.” Old Testament worship.”

God commanded instruments in OT God commanded instruments in OT worship worship (2 Chronicles 29:25)(2 Chronicles 29:25), but not in New. , but not in New.

Christ removed the old in favor of the new. Christ removed the old in favor of the new. Hebrews 10:9, 10Hebrews 10:9, 10

The old law with all of its provisions was The old law with all of its provisions was nailed to the cross. nailed to the cross. Colossians 2:14Colossians 2:14

Shall we be indebted to keep all of the old Shall we be indebted to keep all of the old law? law? Galatians 5:3Galatians 5:3

Some argue,

““Instruments are only Instruments are only an aid to the singing.” an aid to the singing.”

This argument confuses aids with additions.This argument confuses aids with additions.Aids are expedients which help us carry out Aids are expedients which help us carry out

what God has authorized.what God has authorized.Additions are unauthorized things of the Additions are unauthorized things of the

same class: vocal versus instrumental same class: vocal versus instrumental music.music.

Additions are strongly condemned in Additions are strongly condemned in 2 John 2 John 9. 9.

Could Noah have used oak as an expedient?Could Noah have used oak as an expedient?

Some argue,

““Song books are not mentioned Song books are not mentioned in the New Testament. Aren't in the New Testament. Aren't

they an addition?” they an addition?”

Song books, pitch pipes, etc. cannot Song books, pitch pipes, etc. cannot produce music.produce music.

They are They are notnot in the same class; therefore, in the same class; therefore, they are aids.they are aids.

Illus: A man is told he will receive $100 if he Illus: A man is told he will receive $100 if he walks to the next city. He cannot use another walks to the next city. He cannot use another means of transport, but would be free to use means of transport, but would be free to use walking shoes and a cane as aids.walking shoes and a cane as aids.

Some argue,

““There is instrumental music in There is instrumental music in heaven, why not in the church?” heaven, why not in the church?”

Should the reference in Should the reference in Revelation 5:8 Revelation 5:8 andand

14:214:2, a book of symbols, be taken literally?, a book of symbols, be taken literally?Even so, that is in heaven, not here in the Even so, that is in heaven, not here in the

church.church.Since there is no marriage in heaven shall Since there is no marriage in heaven shall

we abolish marriage here?we abolish marriage here?What about baptism; the Lord’s Supper; What about baptism; the Lord’s Supper;

faith and hope?faith and hope?

Some argue,

““Instrumental music is Instrumental music is enjoyed in the home, why not enjoyed in the home, why not

in the church?" in the church?"

There are many good activities in the There are many good activities in the home, which have no place in the home, which have no place in the assembly of the Lord's church: bathing, assembly of the Lord's church: bathing, eating meals for nourishment, recreation.eating meals for nourishment, recreation.

Acts 5:4Acts 5:4 shows clearly the distinction shows clearly the distinction between the individual and the church.between the individual and the church.

Some argue,

The New Testament says we The New Testament says we are to sing…are to sing…

Singing necessarily excludes other kinds of music.

Context of Context of Col. 3:16 Col. 3:16 includes includes vs. 17vs. 17

Playing on Playing on instrumentinstrument

HummingHumming WhistlingWhistling Etc.Etc.

Matthew 26:30Matthew 26:30 Mark 14:26Mark 14:26 Acts 16:25Acts 16:25 Romans 15:9Romans 15:9 1 Cor. 14:151 Cor. 14:15 Ephesians 5:19Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16Colossians 3:16 Hebrews 2:12Hebrews 2:12 James 5:13James 5:13

Secular history agrees:Secular history agrees:

The American Encyclopedia, Vol. 12, p. 688The American Encyclopedia, Vol. 12, p. 688

"Pope Vitalian is related to have first "Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced organs into some of the churches introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe in 670; but the earliest of Western Europe in 670; but the earliest trustworthy account is that of one sent as a trustworthy account is that of one sent as a present by the Greek emperor Constantine present by the Greek emperor Constantine Copronymus to Pepin, king of Franks in 755." Copronymus to Pepin, king of Franks in 755."

Secular history agrees:Secular history agrees:

Chambers Encyclopedia, Vol. 7, page 112Chambers Encyclopedia, Vol. 7, page 112

"The organ is said to have been introduced "The organ is said to have been introduced into church music by Pope Vitalian in 666 AD." into church music by Pope Vitalian in 666 AD."

Wikipedia, “Early Christianity”Wikipedia, “Early Christianity”

““Many practices which later became Many practices which later became characteristic of Christian worship had not yet characteristic of Christian worship had not yet developed. Singing was generally without developed. Singing was generally without instrumentation and was normally in unison.” instrumentation and was normally in unison.”

Even founders of present Even founders of present denominations opposed its use:denominations opposed its use:

John Calvin (Presbyterian, 1509-1564):John Calvin (Presbyterian, 1509-1564):

"Musical instruments in celebrating the "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of other shadows lamps, and the restoration of other shadows of the law." of the law."

Even founders of present Even founders of present denominations opposed its use:denominations opposed its use:

John Wesley (Methodist, 1703-1791):John Wesley (Methodist, 1703-1791):

"I have no objection to the organ in our "I have no objection to the organ in our chapels provided it is neither seen nor heard." chapels provided it is neither seen nor heard."

Even founders of present Even founders of present denominations opposed its use:denominations opposed its use:

Martin Luther (Lutheran, 1483-1546):Martin Luther (Lutheran, 1483-1546):

……called the organ in worship of God "an called the organ in worship of God "an ensign of Baal."ensign of Baal."

Noted denominational scholars also:Noted denominational scholars also:

Adam Clarke (Methodist scholar, 1762–1832 ): Adam Clarke (Methodist scholar, 1762–1832 ):

"I have never known instrumental music to be "I have never known instrumental music to be productive of any good in the worship of God and I productive of any good in the worship of God and I have reason to believe that it has been productive have reason to believe that it has been productive of much evil. Music as a science I esteem and of much evil. Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instruments of music in the house of admire, but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music and I here register my protest against all music and I here register my protest against all such corruption in the worship of that Infinite Spirit such corruption in the worship of that Infinite Spirit who requires his followers to worship him in spirit who requires his followers to worship him in spirit and in truth."and in truth."

Let us be satisfied with doing in Let us be satisfied with doing in worship only that which the worship only that which the

Lord has authorized.Lord has authorized.

And let us be ready to give And let us be ready to give answer for the hope within us. answer for the hope within us.

1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15