SINGING
    A very important part of the worship of God is singing of praises unto His Holy name. In this lesson we want to consider this subject and exactly what the Bible teaches about it. It is common among religious people to use some kind of instruments of music in worship with singing and we want to consider this matter also in this study.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    1. WE SHOULD CONTINUALLY PRAISE GOD. We fail so often in showing appreciation to God by praising Him for His goodness and mercy. In the Psalms we read many devotions and praises unto God. It is easy to see how that God would have loved the psalmist.

    In Hebrews 13:15 we read: "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise unto God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips." Colossians 3:16 reads: "singing with grace in your hearts unto God.” Here again is admonition to praise God in song.

    The Bible Teaches That …
    2. SINGING IS AUTHORIZED AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP TO GOD.
    Matthew 26:30 we find that: "they sung a hymn, and went out into the mount
    of Olives."
    Mark 14:26: the same statement is given.
    Acts 16:25: the account is given regarding Paul and Silas in prison and states
    that at midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God.
    Romans 15:9: "…I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name."
    1 Corinthians 14:15 tells us that: "I will sing with the Spirit, I will sing with the understanding also."
    1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul mentions that some have a "Psalm," evidently to sing.
    Ephesians 5:18-19 tells us: "singing and making melody in your hearts to God."
    Colossians 3:16 says: "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."
    Hebrew 2:12: "Saying, I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee."
    James 5:13 says: "Is any among you merry, let him sing…."

    In these passages of Scripture there is no doubt but that we as Christians are to sing praise unto God. When we sing and praise God in this manner, we know that we are doing that which is acceptable unto Him.

    In regard to this we should now make this observation. No where in the New Testament do we find any of the disciples or Christians using instrumental music in worship. In each of these cases only singing is mentioned. By this we should be caused to think whether we should use instrumental music with singing or not. When we sing we know that we are pleasing God but when we add the instrumental music we cannot be sure. This leads us to conclude that we should not use instrumental music in worship.
    There is another passage of Scripture that we should include just here. 2 John 9: "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God, he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son."

    When we add instrumental music we are transgressing or going beyond that which is written. We are doing something that God has not authorized and therefore not abiding in the doctrine of Christ.

    "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God," Romans 10:17. If the word of God says it we can believe it but if not, then we cannot place our faith in it. If all would refrain from using the instrument of music in worship they would know they were doing right, however, when it is used without Bible authority they cannot be certain. Surely, the safe side would be the best in this and all matters.

    Some say: "Well, they used instruments of music in the Old Testament." This is correct but yet debatable as to whether it was authorized. However, if it were authorized under the Old Testament law it still would not be in force today. They also burned incense, offered sacrifices, and had other ordinances which we do not and cannot have in the New Testament church. Therefore, this is not proof for instrumental music.

    Others say: "We have instruments of music in our home, why not in the church." There are many things we have in our home that we must not have in the church. For example we eat ham and eggs for breakfast. But this does not mean that we can have ham and eggs on the communion table. There is vast difference in the church and the home.

    Many other excuses are offered on behalf of the use of instrumental music in worship but the fact remains that in the New Testament only vocal music, singing, making melody in our heart is authorized and it is unscriptural to add an instrument of music to it.

    CONCLUSION:

    Singing is most beautiful when we learn and practice and strive to sing well. By it we are made happy, by it we are stirred to do greater things in the vineyard of the Lord. We should learn to sing well, according to our ability. We should teach and admonish one another and praise God with the fruit of our lips. We should sing songs of comfort, hope, and joy. We should sing of the goodness of God and the future home of the saints. By singing we can pour out our feelings unto God and to each other and be mutually blessed by it. May our hearts be blended together as well as our voices that we might all worship and serve God according to the pattern found in the Bible in our prayer in Jesus' name.

    Section 1
    FILL IN THE FOLLOWING BLANKS TEN (10) TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THAT MENTION SING OR SINGING

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    7

    8

    9

    10

    Section 2 - True or False

    Question 1
    Singing is an act of worship unto God.
    TrueFalse

    Question 2
    We can teach and admonish one another with songs.
    TrueFalse

    Question 3
    Instrumental music is mentioned in connection with singing in the
    TrueFalse

    Question 4
    Paul and Silas sang and prayed in prison.
    TrueFalse

    Question 5
    Paul and Silas had a guitar with them.
    TrueFalse

    Question 6
    Instrumental music is Scriptural.
    TrueFalse

    Question 7
    It is Scriptural to sing in the midst of the church.
    TrueFalse

    Question 8
    When we add instrumental music to singing we are going beyond what is written.
    TrueFalse

    Question 9
    We can use instrumental music because they did in the Old Testament.
    TrueFalse

    Question 10
    We can use instrumental music in worship because we have it in our home.
    TrueFalse

    Give one passage of Scripture which mentions instrumental music in singing in the New Testament church.

    If there is non, then write none in the following blank.

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