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Introduction.
1. Singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in worship is an act of worship authorized by the New Testament.
2. Hebrews 13:15 could refer to singing as well as prayer and preaching.
3. It is natural for the New Testament priest, to sing praises to our God (I Pet. 2:9).
4. Singing as an act of worship in the congregational setting is set forth in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.
a. The word "yourselves" in the original, as used in Ephesians 5:19 is a reflexive pronoun; which indicates action of the subject upon itself.
b. The words "one another" as found in Colossians 3:16 are also translated from the reflexive pronoun "heautous."
c. The subject in both cases is the congregation; hence each member of the congregation is to participate in this act of worship.
5. In this lessons some historical notations about the history of music in religion will be made; various reasons why some religious people use mechanical music in worship will be examined; and finally, the embodiment of New Testament truth on the subject of music in worship will be examined.
I. Some Historical Notations About The History Of Music In Religion.
A. There is not one case recorded in the New Testament, of a New Testament church of Christ using mechanical music in worship.
B. Throughout the period of the Apostolic Fathers and the Aplolgists there are many recorded references to singing in worship, but none can be found for the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship.
1. The Jews used instrumental music in their worship.
2. The Greeks were using it in their idolatry.
3. Christian worship in song was wholly vocal.
C. Some changes began to occur in the fourth century A.D.
1. Special singers were appointed as a distinct class of officers in congregations.
2. Special singers encouraged singing by chorus.
3. The use of choruses encouraged the use of instrumental music by the fifth century.
4. The first organ was not introduced into "Christian" worship until the eighth century.
D. During the years of the reformation period some men spoke against Catholicism's introduction of instrumental music to worship.
1. John Calvin (one of the founders of the Presbyterian denomination) said, "Musical instruments in celebrating praise to God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things from the Jews." - John Calvin's commentary, Psalm 33.
2. John Wesley, (one of the founders of the Methodist denomination) reportedly said, "I have no objections to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen." Clarke's Commentary, Vol. IV., 686.
3. Martin Luther said the organ is "an ensign to Baal." McClintiock and Strong's Encyclopedia, Music, Vol. VI., 762.
E. During the great awakening period in this country, men began to return to the New Testament order of things.
1. Brethren were determined to call Bible things by Bible names, and to do Bible things in Bible ways.
2. That included going back to the New Testament order of worship.
F. In 1859 the church at Midway, KY introduced the Melodeon into the church's worship.
1. L. L. Pinkerton was the preacher at Midway in 1859, and he would not oppose instrumental music in worship.
a. Pinkerton said the singing at Midway was so bad, that it would "scare even the rats from worship."
b. First it was suggested that the congregation host a singing practice on Saturday nights.
c. Then someone brought a melodeon to the practice, so the song leader could get the right pitch.
d. Soon the melodeon inched its way into worship.
e. History was repeating itself again, and is repeating itself again in our day.
f. By 1906 the religious census noted the division in the church, thus the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ became a full fledged denomination.
g. The church should not be surprised to see a new census in the near future, denoting another denomination which is currently leaving the ranks of the church for which Jesus
died.
II. Reasons Why Some Religious People Use Instrumental Music In "Christian" Worship.
A. No appeal can be made to New Testament for an example of instrumental music in worship.
B. Arguments from the Christian Church.
1. In 1920 O. E. Payne tried to defend the practice of instrumental music in worship by saying that the Greek word "psallo" required it in worship.
a. The verb "psallo" means to pluck off, pull out, the hair. To cause to vibrate by touching, to twang; it can be used of twanging the strings of an instrument.
b. If the word "psallo" without any modifiers governed worship in song, then brethren would be authorized to pull each others hair out as they sing in worship to God.
2. In 1923 J. B. Briney and Ira M. Boswell espoused the idea that the Greek permitted the instrument.
a. O. E. Paynes' argument had to be modified because of the reflexive pronoun in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.
b. If the Greek demands an instrument then all Christians must play an instrument.
3. In the 1950's Burton W. Barber and Julian Hunt argued for the instrument as an aid in worship.
a. An aid is an expedient to fulfill obligation.
b. Song books aid Christians in worship.
c. Instrumental music is not an aid, because the Lord specified the type of music authorized in worship, the voice.
d. Instrumental music in worship is an addition to God's word.
4. In 1985 Don DeWelt used the "you're another" argument.
a. This position says that the Bible does not authorize congregational singing.
b. Therefore it is said that we are like the denominationalist, because we engage in an unauthorized practice.
c. The implication from Mr. DeWelt's argument is that he must agree that the Bible does not authorize instrumental music.
5. The Disciples of Christ say that it does not matter.
6. In 1987 Given O. Blakely debated Alan Highers and said that no authority is needed in worship, worship is not regulated.
C. Members of the Lord's church who have remained faithful to God still stand where the apostles stood!
a. There is no command, inference or example of instrumental music being used in worship in the New Testament church.
b. Therefore, Christians will not use instrumental music in worship.
III. The Embodiment Of New Testament Truth On The Subject Of Music In Worship.
A. Singing in worship is scriptural.
1. It is commanded in the New Testament (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19).
a. Christians are to sing with understanding (I Cor. 14:14-15).
b. Christians are to make melody in the heart (Eph. 5:19).
c. The Christian's heart is the subject of the verb psallo!
B. The embodiment of the New Testament summarized in a few verses.
1. Matthew 26:30 - after the institution of the Lord's supper the disciples sang.
2. Romans 15:9 - the prophet David saw the day when the Gentiles would acknowledge Christ and sing to his name.
3. First Corinthians 14:15 - The church is to sing with the spirit and with the understanding.
4. Ephesians 5:19 - When the church is speaking in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, it is making melody to the Lord.
5. Colossians 3:16 - While worshipping in song, the church is also teaching one another.
6. Hebrews 2:12 - Paul also mention the Davidic prophecy, and noted that this worship is in the midst of the church!
7. Hebrews 13:15 - Singing is fruit from the church's lips
8. James 5:13 - When brethren are joyful, the Bible says to sing psalms - not to play them!
C. God told the church to sing, therefore solos, choirs, and instrumental music in worship is an addition to God's word.
1. The old example of Nadab and Abihu is still an example of how God feels about men adding to his word (Lev. 10:1-2).
2. The silence of the scriptures does not open the gate to man's innovations.
a. The Old Law said that a priest was to come from the tribe of Levi.
b. The Old Law did not say that a priest could not come from any other tribe.
c. However, by specifying the tribe of Levi as the priestly tribe, all other tribes were excluded (Heb. 7:11-14).
Conclusion.
1. History proves that the church of Christ never used instrumental music while the apostles were alive, or while their students were alive.
2. Men brought mechanical music into worship without the Lord's authority (Col. 3:17).
3. The Bible teaches the church to sing in worship; therefore, the church for while Jesus died follows his word!
Bibliography
Blakely, Given, O. and Highers, Alan, E. the Highers - Blakely Debate Instrumental Music In Worship (Denton, Texas; Valid Pub. Inc., 1988).
Brownlow, Leroy. Why I Am A Member Of The Church Of Christ. (Fort Worth, Texas; Brownlow Pub. Co. Inc., 1945; reprint 1973).
Kurfees, M. C. Instrumental Music In The Worship Or The Greek Verb Psallo. (Nashville, TN.: Gospel Advocate Co., 1911; reprint 1950).
Mattox, F. W. The Eternal Kingdom (Delight, AR.: Gospel Light Pub. Co., 1961).
Summers, Ray. Essentials Of New Testament Greek. (Nashville, TN.: Broadman and Holman Pub., 1995).
Wallace, Foy, E. Jr. Bulwarks Of The Faith (Forth Worth, TX.: Foy E,.Wallace Jr. Pub., 1951; revised 1975).
West, Earl, Irvin. The Search For The Ancient Order. Vol. 1(Germantown, TN.: Religious Book Service, 1990).
- - Darrell Broking
