The Instrumental Music Question

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The Instrumental Music Question

• The Case for Singing in the New Testament
• Part 1

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Introduction

• Many misunderstanding the music question
• One thing known about some churches of Christ
  is the absence of instrumental music
• Denominations act as if instrumental music has
  always been in their church (see the many quotes
  from church scholars and historians to the
  contrary)
• Religious people often ask us, Why dont you use
  an instrument?

3
What is the issue?

• This issue is not
• Do we believe in music? Yes, we do.
• Do we use or like mechanical instruments of music
  outside the worship service? Yes, we do.
• Can we afford a mechanical instrument? Yes, we
  can. Do we have the musicians to play a
  mechanical instrument? Yes, we do.
• Are mechanical instruments of music in worship to
  God found in the Bible? Yes, they are.
• Are mechanical instruments of music themselves
  sinful? No, they are not.

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What is the issue?

• This issue is
• What kind of music is authorized by God? Vocal,
  instrumental or both?
• What kind of music is authorized by God in the
  New Testament, for the New Testament church?
• Is mechanical instrumental music in worship to
  God sinful?

5
Music in the New Testament

• 1. Matthew 2630 And when they had sung a
  hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives
  (see also Mk.1426).
• 2. Acts 1625 But about midnight Paul and
  Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God,
  and the prisoners were listening to them.
• 3. Romans 159 and that the Gentiles might
  glorify God for his mercy as it is written,
  Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the
  Gentiles, And sing unto thy name.

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Music in the New Testament

• 4. 1 Corinthians 1415 What is it then? I will
  pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
  understanding also I will sing with the spirit,
  and I will sing with the understanding also.
• 5. Ephesians 519 speaking one to another in
  psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
  making melody with your heart to the Lord.
• 6. Colossians 316 Let the word of Christ
  dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and
  admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and
  spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
  hearts unto God.

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Music in the New Testament

• 7. Hebrews 212 saying, I will declare thy
  name unto my brethren, In the midst of the
  congregation will I sing thy praise.
• 8. Hebrews 1315 Through him then let us offer
  up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that
  is, the fruit of lips which make confession to
  his name.
• 9. James 513 Is any among you suffering? Let
  him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise.

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Psallo in the New Testament
Greek Word Meaning Passage
psalleto sing psalms Jas. 519
psallantes making melody Eph. 519
psallo sing Rom. 159 1 Cor. 1415 (2x)
psalmo / psalmon psalms (quoted) Lk. 2042 Ac. 120 1333
psalmois in psalms (quoted, singing) Lk. 2444 Eph. 519 Col. 316
psalmon a psalm (spoken) 1 Cor. 1426
Psalms were quoted, spoken, and sung, but
never played in the NT
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Two Parallel Passages
Ephesians 519 Colossians 316
speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. ... teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.
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Three Observations

• 1. We observe in the passages listed above WHO
  is to sing WHAT to sing WHEN to sing WHY to
  sing WHERE to sing and HOW to sing.
• 2. These are all the passages on music in the New
  Testament with reference to worshipping God most
  with reference to Christians. Every example is
  that of singing.
• 3. No one disagrees that the New Testament
  teaches that singing is right all admit that
  singing is right.

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Why No Instruments?

• Not because
• I do not like it.
• There is no one to play it.
• We cant afford it.
• Our culture or tradition prohibits it (the
  Restoration Movement tradition).
• The denominations do it.
• We desire to provide an a cappella singing
  alternative (tradition) to the religious
  community.

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Why No Instruments?

• Because it
• Was not commanded by Christ (Mt.2818-20
  Col.317).
• Goes beyond the doctrine of Christ, and adds to
  the Word of God (2 Jn.9-11 cf. 1 Jn.34).
• Makes worship vain (Mt.151-9).
• Is not a part of true worship (Jn.424)
• Is not a part of the the truth of the Apostles
  (Jn.1613 1717).
• Is not walking by faith (Rom.1017).

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Why No Instruments?

• Because it
• Creates division (Jn.1720 1 Cor.110).
• Cannot accomplish what God wants done God wants
  singing (Eph.519 Col.316).
• Was never used in the NT church. Please put the
  passage in the blank that speaks of a mechanical
  instrument of music in worship to God in the
  church ( __________ ?). Note Many quotes from
  Church History could be given here to show that
  instruments of music were introduced into worship
  by the Catholic Church between A.D. 600 and A.D.
  800.

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The Instrumental Music Question

• Do we understand better the issue over the
  instrument?
• We sing because that is what God said he
  wanted. We refuse to play a mechanical instrument
  because God never authorized it in the New
  Testament.
• We can unite upon what is in the New Testament.
  We can never unite upon what is not in the NT.
  Mechanical instruments of music in worship to God
  by Christians is never found in the New Testament.