What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 7 / No. 8”
.jpg)
What The Bible Says
Vol. VII - No. 8 September 1, 2024
MUSIC IN WORSHIP UNTO GOD
God seeks man's worship (Jn. 4: 23). However, He does not seek just worship, but worship that is "in spirit and truth" (Jn. 4:24). For worship to be “in truth” it has to be directed by His word for His “word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).
The fact that God desires man to worship him in music is made evident in such verses as: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19) and “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”. (Col. 3:16).
To show that we must worship God in the way He has prescribed is found in the verse following Colossians 3:16. Verse 17 says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father by Him”. God demands that we have authority or book, chapter, and verse for our religious beliefs and practices.
When it comes to the kind of music authorized or specified, it is generally understood there are two kinds of music: vocal and mechanical. The Old Testament scriptures abound with references to mechanical music in praise to God. Mechanical instruments such as the trumpet, harp, and timbrel were commonly used (Psa. 150). However, just because a matter is mentioned in the Old Testament scriptures and was practiced by those who lived under that law, does not mean such a practice can be engaged in by Christians today. David in the book of Psalms also mentioned animal sacrifices (Psa. 51:19). To use the same line of reasoning to justify Christians using mechanical instruments in worship to God, we would be just as authorized to offer animal sacrifices on the basis that they are found in the Old Testament.
Yet, this point must be dealt with: It is interesting how we find many references in the Old Testament to mechanical instruments in worship; but, when we come to the New Testament, only vocal music with the human heart is the instrument that is taught.
What is so sad is that many people have become so accustomed to mechanical musical performances in worship that they never question or think about the origin of such devices in worship. What is even sadder is that most present day religious people do not study or challenge the matter of mechanical instruments in worship. Consider the comments of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, regarding music and types and antitypes:
"Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him" (Commentary on Psalms 33 and on I Samuel 18: 1-9).
Also consider the words of the famous and respected Bible scholar Charles Spurgeon:
"Praise the Lord with harp. Israel was at school, and used childish things to help her to learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes. We do not need them. That would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto Him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice" (Commentary on Psalms 42).
It is vocal music which we find in the worship of God in the New Testament. “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” (Matt. 26:30); “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” (Acts 16:25); “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” (Rom. 15:9); “15 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. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Cor. 14:15,26); “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” (Heb. 2:12); "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." (Jas. 5:13). (As well as the passage in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16.) From all these verses which mention music in worship to God in the New Testament, we must conclude there is no authorization for mechanical music in worship under the New Testament.
Before we conclude this article, let it also be said and understood that the songs we sing are to be rendered "unto God" (Acts 16:25). Therefore, such singing is not to be viewed as entertainment. In singing, we are “teaching and admonishing one another”; not performing in front of and entertaining one another as singing has seeming become in most denominational services. Man needs to understand that he is worshiping God (Jn. 4:24). God, then, not man, has the right to specify the type of desired worship. God's word says singing praise to God is an expression of the heart (James 5:13) and the making melody in our heart (Eph. 5:19). Singing in worship is "praise and thanks" that is being rendered to God (Heb. 13:15).
Instead of using a piano or organ or plucking the strings of a guitar or harp, the Christian is to pluck the spiritual strings of his heart! To have mechanical music in worship to God, we are going to have to add to the word of God. That we must never do: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18-19). —E.R. Hall, Jr.
CAN THOSE THAT ARE SINCERE BE WRONG?
Honesty and sincerity do not guarantee that our positions and actions are right. We recognize that principle in other areas of life. Why not grabble with it in religion? We all know that it is possible for one to take the wrong medication, while believing it to be correct, and then suffer the consequences. If a person drank a glass of poison, thinking it to be water, would it not have an adverse affect upon him?
All through the Bible there are examples of those who were sincere and still in sin. To illustrate, consider the case of Abimelech who took Sara from Abraham. He said, “In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this” (Gen. 20:5). Yet, it was still wrong for him to take her. God told Abimelech, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife” (v. 3). As a consequence, God “closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife” (v. 18).
Do you remember the old prophet who lied to the younger one about God telling him to come back with him (1 Kings 13)? The younger prophet had been specifically warned by God who said, “You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came” (v. 9). The older prophet “lied” to him and convinced the younger prophet that the Lord told him to bring the younger prophet home with him. So, he did what he was told. The text says the Lord allowed a lion to slay him because of his disobedience. Sincere? Yes. Honest? Absolutely. Wrong? No doubt!
More specifically, there are cases of people who were sincere and yet they were still wrong and in need of salvation. Saul of Tarsus is a case in point. Before his conversion he persecuted the church making havoc of it (Acts 8:1-3). He assisted in putting Christians in prison and voiced his opinion about some being put to death. In fact, he was so bad that he described himself as the “chief” of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Yet, during that time, he lived with a clear conscience (Acts 23:1). The whole time he was doing what he thought to be right. He was wrong, though sincere. He still needed to be baptized to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16).
Another case is that of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert (Acts 10). He was a good man (vv. 2, 22). He feared God, gave alms, and prayed regularly. Yet, he still had to hear the gospel by which he could be saved (Acts 10:6; 11:14). Was this notable leader sincere? No one would question that. Was he still lost and in need of salvation? He certainly was.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that there would be some who would be surprised at the judgment day. He said, “Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:21-23)! Their reaction shows their honesty and sincerity. Yet, these would be cast off because they work lawlessness (doing that which is not lawful).
While we do not determine what is right and wrong by whether we like the consequences, we can see something is wrong with a conclusion if its consequences contradict plain and simple passages. If we cannot conceive of sincere people being lost, then we must conclude that any who are honest and sincere cannot be lost. Who could affirm that? That would mean that sincerity is all that is essential. It wouldn’t matter what you believe, practice, or teach in religion as long as you are sincere. This would mean that any Jew or Muslim who denies that Jesus is the Son of God would not be lost (even though he doesn’t believe in Christ) since he is sincere. Thus, any passage demanding faith would have to be wrong! Furthermore, even an atheist would not be lost if he is honest and sincere in their conclusions. Who can accept these consequences? —Donnie V. Rader
SENTENCE SERMONS
If you haven’t received everything you deserve – be thankful!
"It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” - Vince Lombardi
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” - Albert Einstein
“Life is like baseball; it’s 95% mental and the other half is physical.” - Yogi Berra
Man is the only known creature who can reshape and remold himself by altering his attitude.
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
