Articles
God Said "Sing"
When people visit our assembly and express their curiosity about our vocal music, I reply with this simple expression of our conviction: God said “sing.” I make it clear that the absence of the man-made instruments is not a matter of economics (cannot afford one) or preference (we just like to sing). It goes much deeper than any “church of Christ” or “restoration” heritage or tradition. It has to do with faith and our desire to follow God’s instructions. We are convinced He said “sing.”
When a man offers a gift to his wife, the considerate thing to do is to offer a gift that will please her. She is the recipient of the gift. I may want a rifle, a new computer or a truck. But if I’m going to give something to her that she will appreciate, I will select something I believe will please her not me. I will take into consideration all I know of her, in particular, what she has said she likes and wants. My gift will be based on her will not mine.
As God’s people, we want to offer worship to Him in response to His greatness and grace to us. In offering that worship, what’s important? What I want, or what He wants? You will agree, the most important thing is what God wants. The right course to take is to offer that worship to God that I know will please Him.
How can I find out what pleases Him? I can consult His Word! I don’t need to even consider human preferences, denominational practices, historical precedence or majority desire. I do not need to bother myself with a “market study” or poll of human opinion. If I want to know what pleases God I can read what He has said about worship, determined to worship Him in spirit and truth (Jno. 4:24; 2 Jno. 9).
This quest takes me to the New Testament. I want to know what the apostles of Christ did, since these were the men through whom the will of God was conveyed (1 Cor. 1:1; 1 Cor. 2:10-12). The apostles - in their practice and instruction - endorsed only one kind of music in worship to God, vocal. If any instrument is involved at all it is only in the figurative sense, the heart (Eph. 5:19).
Paul and Silas, “at midnight … were praying and singing hymns to God,” (Acts 16:25). To the church at Corinth Paul said, “sing with the understanding,” (1 Cor. 14:15). He instructed the saints at Ephesus: “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” (Eph. 5:19). In another place he wrote: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” (Col. 3:16). Is anyone cheerful? “Let him sing psalms,” (Jas. 5:13). {See also: Matt. 26:30; Mrk. 14:26; Rom. 15:9 & Heb. 2:12.}
This clear and simple evidence demands the kind of admission you will read in the Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (p.1163): “There is no record in the N.T. of the use of instruments in the musical worship of the church.” Or in A History Of The Christian Church (p.112): “Singing formed an essential part of the Christian worship, but it was in unison and without musical accompaniment,” (Lars P. Qualben). Other early historians and writers agree: “Simply singing is not agreeable to children (Jews), but singing with lifeless instruments and with dancing and clapping is. On this account the use of this kind of instruments and of others agreeable to children is removed from the songs of the churches, and there is left remaining simply singing” (Justin Martyr, 139 ad). Augustine describes the singing at Alexandria in 354 ad by saying “musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults … it is easy to under the prejudices against their use in the worship.”
Strange isn’t it? All the years of controversy; all the debates, disputes and division. Then you open your Bible and focus on what God said. There it is: God said “sing.” Don’t you think this is what He wants us to do?
Why did Noah use gopher wood in building the ark? God said “gopher wood.” Why did Abraham leave his homeland and venture into Canaan? God said “go.” Why did Joshua instruct the Israelites to march around Jericho? Because God said to do that. Why did the apostles wait in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended into heaven? That’s what Jesus told them to do. Why do Christians today partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week? God has communicated His will regarding this memorial in the New Testament.
So, why do we sing? God said “sing.” This is serious because, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (2 Jno. 9).
