Music

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:19

Introduction
The Type of Music God Has Ordained
New Testament Scripture Dealing With Music
Conclusions
FAQ and Answers
Links for Song Leaders

Contrary to what many might believe, Churches of Christ do engage in music and make it a part of every worship service. Religious exercises always have consisted mainly of praise and prayer. Wherever man has recognized the existence of Deity or even a multitude of deities, his natural instincts and reason alike have urged him to present sacrifices of thanksgiving. Religion in its very broadest sense consists of the relation and intercourse of the soul with the unseen. Therefore Paul said in I Corinthians 14:15: "...I will pray with the spirit and with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also.". What the apostle is saying in this text is :"I will endeavor to blend all the advantages which can be derived by singing and I will unite all the benefits which can result to myself and to others. I deem it of vast importance to sing with the spirit in such a way that the heart and the affections may be enlarged. And I will do this that others may understand what is being done." In this single text the implications are many.

First, it is indicated that praises to God are to be celebrated among Christians and that it is an important part of worship. It is not a preface; it is not designed to prepare our minds for worship...it is a part of worship.

Second, the heart should be engaged in this part of worship and it should be so preformed as to excite proper affection in the hearts of those who are engaged in worship.

Third, it should be done intelligently so as to be intelligible to others as well as edifying to others.

The question then is, "What kind of music should I offer?" The word music is a generic term, covering vocal, instrumental, whistling, manuscripts, and other kinds. However, Devine truth is specific as to the kind of music to be used, and a specific order eliminates all else. The answer to the question is "The kind of music that should be offered is the kind of music that God has demanded." This is because the music used in worship is to please God so we must engage in to kind of music that He specifies. Had God simply stated in the New Testament that worship should contain "music" then we as man would have the freedom to select the type that pleases us. This is not the case. A careful study of the following texts will show exactly the type of music that God will accept.

Text	Reference
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.	Matthew 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.	Romans 15:9
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.	1 Corinthians 14:15
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;	Ephesians 5:19
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.	Colossians 3:16
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.	Hebrews 2:12
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.	Hebrews 13:15
Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.	James 5:13

The instructions are clear in these verses. They tell us that we are to "sing" (a tonal action, a vocal
expression); that we are to offer "the fruits of our lips" with and from "the heart" and a "sacrifice of praise" is to be offered "continually". Thus the Churches of Christ engage only in singing in worship with no instrumental music involved. Does this mean that we can never enjoy a concert or play an instrument. Of course not. Being able to play an instrument is a gift and an art that is indeed wonderful. But as Christians, we simply do not use an instrument while engaging in praise and worship to God.

The above was adapted from an article "Questions and Answers" written by Hoyt Nelson for June 2002 edition of The Admonisher. If you have any other questions on this or any other Bible topic, feel free to write or e-mail us. Click on our "Contact Us" page link at the top of this page or simply click here to take you there.

Cyberhymnal: Site devoted to providing lyrics and sheet music for hundreds of hymns and worship songs.
Much of the site contains music in the public domain available for immediate use.

Taylor Publications: Supplier of sheet music, presentations, and other supplies and resources related to
Acappella music.

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