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INVESTIGATE THE TRUTH ON INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

DOES GOD’S WORD AUTHORIZE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN N.T. WORSHIP • How Does God’s Word Authorize An Action: • Direct Command --- “Thou Shalt” • Approved Apostolic Example --- “What We See” • Necessary Inference --- “Conclusions Drawn” • Silence Of God’s Word --- “No Yea or Nea” • Generic Commands --- Noah’s Ark • Specific Commands --- Wood Specified

THE QUESTION - “WHICH ONE OF THESE AUTHORIZES N.T. WORSHIP WITH INSTRUMENTS?” • Not ONE • SO WHY THEN ARE INSTRUMENTS IN WORSHIP TODAY? • Not Because It Is In The N.T. Church • BUT Because MAN HAS ADDED IT. • Matthew 15:13 • “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” • The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

HISTORY SPEAKS • Many references cite Pope Vitalian I (666 A.D.) as the one who first introduced musical instruments into the worship of the church. However, the Catholic Encyclopedia says that a strong objection to its use remained pretty general until at least the twelfth century. • One of the chief aims of the Protestant Reformation leaders was to reform the music of the worship by doing away with the instruments. • But Today Can One Say They Achieved Their AIM?

THE REFORMERS SPEAK • Luther said, "An organ in the worship of God is an ensign of Baal.” - McClintiock and Strong's Encyclopedia, Music, Vol. VI., 762. • John Calvin (one of the founders of the Presbyterian denomination) said, "Musical instruments in celebrating praise to God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things from the Jews." John Calvin's commentary, Psalm 33. • John Wesley put it this way; “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither seen or heard.” - Clarke's Commentary, Vol. IV., 686. • One of the greatest Baptist preacher of all time was Charles Spurgeon, who said; "I'd as soon pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery."

IT IS CLEAR !!!! • INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC WAS NOT READILY ACCEPTED --- • BUT TODAY MEN ARGUE: • N.T. Church Did Not Only USE VOCAL WORSHIP Since O.T. Shows God Accepted Instrumental Music In Worship. • EPHESIANS 5:19 – ALLOWS for the USE of INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC • LET’S INVESTIGATE THIS:

EXAMPLES OF MUSICAL WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT • "And after singing a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.“ (MATTHEW 26:30). • This has reference to Jesus and His disciples after Jesus had instituted the Lord's supper on the night He was to be betrayed. Before they left the room in which they had assembled for the pre-Passover meal, they sang a hymn. Then they headed for the garden atop the Mount of Olives where Jesus would be arrested. • "But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (ACTS 16:25). • Here we have an example of two disciples, held in stocks in a dungeon, beaten and bleeding, seeking strength and comfort through prayer and the singing of hymns. The event seems to have impressed the other prisoners and later we find out the guard has been deeply effected as well.

EXAMPLES OF MUSICAL WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT • What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also." (I CORINTHIANS 14:15). • This context deals with the assembly. Most of the instructions in this chapter deal with keeping things orderly and insuring that the worshipers are all edified. • Two attributes that must accompany our singing is spirit and mind. Jesus said God is to be worshiped "in spirit and truth." (JOHN 4:24).

EXAMPLES OF MUSICAL WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT • "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and making melody with your heart to the Lord;” (EPHESIANS 5:19). • This passage refers to objects of our singing. In our songs we seek to encourage one another by the words we sing and the melody played out upon our hearts is directed toward the Lord. • "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (COLOSSIANS 3:16). • Again, our songs are directed toward one another in order to teach and admonish, and accompanied with thankfulness in our hearts which is directed toward God.

EXAMPLES OF MUSICAL WORSHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT • "Through Him, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips that give thanks to His name." (HEBREWS 13:15). • Though this passage does not specifically mention singing, and certainly God is often praised at other times than when we sing, singing would be one avenue of doing so. • "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises." (JAMES 5:13). • This final passage seems more in line with individual worship. Certainly we need not squelch our cheerfulness when we are having a good day. It is a good time to praise God in song, expressing our gratitude unto Him.

ANALYSIS OF THE COMMAND • Colossians 3:16 --- “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.” • "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (COLOSSIANS 3:17). • It is important to note that right after the admonition to sing comes this reminder: do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. • This means to do the things we do based upon His say so. • The music we offer to God the Father must be according to Jesus' direction and not different from it. • The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

ANALYSIS OF THE COMMAND • "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." (EPHESIANS 5:19). • Speaking (lalountes) speak, proclaim, say. This word is used many times in the New Testament. It has to do with delivering spoken messages. • To one another (eautois) yourselves. The speaking is done by the same ones that are being addressed. • Psalms (yalmos) Song of praise. In the New Testament, can refer to the Psalms of the Old Testament as well as songs of praise and joy. • Hymns (umnois) Song of praise. Perhaps different from Psalms because of arrangement. • Spiritual songs (pnematikais; wdais) Songs pertaining to the spirit and contrasted with that which is fleshly or carnal.

ANALYSIS OF THE COMMAND • Singing (adontes) vocal musical expressions of testimony or exhortation • Making melody (yallontes) Originally, this word meant to pluck the strings, as you would with a harp. But gradually it came to include singing. • Finally, its primary meaning came to be to sing. This is its meaning in New Testament times. This passage not only tells us to "sing and make melody“ (i.e "pluck the strings"), it tells us exactly what instrument to use! • Heart (kardia) Heart, mind. As we sing, we are to pluck the strings of our hearts. We are to sing with the spirit and the understanding. The only instrument that we are authorized by the authority of Christ to use as we sing is our hearts. In fact, not only are we permitted to use the heart, we are commanded to use it. If you are not singing with the heart, then do not sing at all

Reasons Why Religious People Use Instrumental Music In Christian" Worship. • No appeal can be made to New Testament for an example of instrumental music in worship. • Arguments from the Christian Church. • In 1920 O. E. Payne tried to defend the practice of instrumental music in worship by saying that the Greek word "psallo" required it in worship. • The verb "psallo" means to pluck off, pull out, the hair. To cause to vibrate by touching, to twang; it can be used of twanging the strings of an instrument. • If the word "psallo" without any modifiers governed worship in song, then brethren would be authorized to pull each other's hair out as they sing in worship to God.

OOP’S LET ME AMEND THAT! • In 1923 J. B. Briney and Ira M. Boswell espoused the idea that the Greek permitted the instrument. • O. E. Paynes' argument had to be modified because of the reflexive pronoun in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. • If the Greek demands an instrument then all Christians must play an instrument.

Call Now !!! • Call And --- • Ask For A Copy Of This Presentation • Ask To Be Added To The Beacon’s Mailing • Ask For A Free Bible Correspondence Course • Call With A --- • Biblical Question Or Comment • Receive a Biblical Answer – “Book, Chapter and Verse” Call (828) 327-9459 or - WHKY

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