MUSIC IN THE WORSHIP

Many people mistakenly believe that we do not have music in our worship in the Church of Christ. I have often replied, "Yes, we do have music. We have vocal music. The music that God authorized." That comment is misunderstood by most people because they do not understand the concept of authority. We must have authority for all that we do in our worship to God. Therefore, we must worship God with the kind of music that He wants, not what we think He wants or what is pleasing to us.

There is not a single passage in the New Testament that speaks of instrumental music being used in the worship of the church or the worship of individuals. Notice the passages that speak of congregational worship and the kind of music used. "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). Also, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts unto God" (Col. 3:16). In Hebrews 2:12, it says, "In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise." These are the primary passages that speak of the congregational worship in the New Testament. As you can clearly see, not once was instrumental music used by those early Christians.

Other passages such as Mt. 26:30; Acts 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 13:15; and Jas. 5:13 all speak of individual or group worship outside of the congregational worship. Even here these individuals sang and did not use an instrument.

The word "Sing" is a verb that comes from the Greek word "psallo." This word has had five different definitions ranging from "(1) to pluck the hair, (2) to twang the bowstring, (3) to twitch a carpenter’s line, (4) to touch the chords of a musical instrument, (5) to touch the chords of the human heart, that is to sing, to celebrate with human praise." It is obvious that the correct definition is the last one, that is, to sing, because the activity is to be done in the heart. Most scholars acknowledge that instrumental music is in no way a part of the definition of "psallo." So, we must "sing" in our worship to God.

Some notable religious scholars and leaders have written or spoken about this subject. Here are just a few. John Calvin said, "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable that the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law." Adam Clark said, "Instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor." John Wesley said, "I have no objection to instruments of music, in our chapels, provided they are neither seen nor heard." And finally, Martin Luther "called the organ an ensign of Baal." These men realized that the instrument was not in keeping with God’s plan for New Testament worship and yet, their followers have adopted the instrument in their worship and use it without regard for the Word of God.

Some have tried to justify the instrument in New Testament worship by using Old Testament examples. This in no way authorizes its use in the New Testament. If that authorizes us to use the instrument then it also authorizes us to have animal sacrifices, the burning of incense, and the observance of special feast days, along with all the other forms of worship found in the Old Testament.

Still others have appealed to the book of Revelation for the authority needed. In Rev. 5:8; 14:2; and 15:2, the harp is mentioned. The thing to keep in mind is that this is in heaven, not on earth in the church. If God chooses to have instruments used in heaven to worship Him, then that is His business, not ours. And besides, the passages mentioned in the book of Revelation are visions that John had and not literal scenes from heaven. Again, this does not give us the authority needed to include instruments in our worship today.

Other appeals have been made by saying that the instrument is an expedient. An expedient is something that is necessary to carry out a command given by God. For example: we are commanded to study the Word of God. No where are we commanded to own a Bible, but in order to study His Word, we must have the Word. Having a Bible is an expedient used to carry out the command to study. It in no way adds to the command and simply helps us carry out the command.

Another attempt to justify the instrument is by saying that it is an aid. Again, an aid helps carry out the command. But, the instrument actually interferes with the command. When we sing, one of the purposes is to teach each other. The instrument blocks out the words being sung by the individuals and makes the teaching difficult to hear. And many religious groups have a choir or other special musical group do the singing. This robs everyone of the opportunity to carry out the commands of Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:19.

Some have accused us of violating these rules because we use a pitch pipe or tuning fork to get the starting pitch. The obvious difference in a pitch pipe and an instrument of music is that the pitch pipe does not obstruct the singing in any way because it is only used to get the starting note. Then, we sing as commanded. An instrument of music drowns out the singing and sometimes replaces it altogether.

We must worship God "in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). All that we do must be according to God’s commandments. Adding to or taking away from God’s commandments is dangerous. In fact it can be eternally damning. "If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life" (Rev. 22:18,19).

Bobby W. Schrimsher, Jr.

Minister

Westview Church of Christ

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