Is A Cappella Singing a Tradition Only?

1. Is A Cappella Singing a Tradition Only?

3. Just Tradition?

4. A Church of Christ Tradition Only? “Paul, however, denounced their [instruments] usage on account of their role in mystery cults, and thus reflected the view of the orthodox Pharisees…Paul himself a ‘Pharisee of the Pharisees,’ shared fully these views; in all his exhortations, he speaks only of ‘psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).” – Eric Werner“Music” The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. 3:466.

5. A Church of Christ Tradition Only? “When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as you praise the Lord with all your heart.” • Ephesians 5:19 in the Contemporary English Version Bible (Emphasis mine – RB)

6. A Church of Christ Tradition Only? “After doing my study on music in the church, I came to the conclusion that the use of a musical instrument was not to be a part of New Testament worship. It was at that time that my church made the change to a cappella singing.” - John Price, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, author of Old Light on New Worship quoted by Bobby Ross, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Christian Chronicle July 1, 2007.

7. Eph. 5:19 - The Broader Context Imagery of “one body” 2:11-22 “One body” continues in 3:6 “One body” the emphasis of ch. 4 Contrasts living in this community with living in the former state 4:17-25, esp. 25 5:3 really contrasts the Christian community with the world! 5:7, 11-12 Don’t be partakers, have nothing to do, don’t even mention!

8. Why would the broader context prevent Paul from discussing worship? Deals directly with interaction between brethren – wouldn’t the assembly be a key time of interaction? Chapter 5 is a contrast between the pagan community and the Christian community – a key element of the pagan world involved drunken worship of a variety of deities – wouldn’t this contrast fit?

9. “If it is impossible for Paul to have worship in mind in 5:19 because it will not fit the broader context then… …how does 5:19 fit the context?

10. What about the immediate context? • “Speak to one another” • “singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.”

11. “Speak to one another” “Here is a rare instance of the reflexive pronoun used like a reciprocal pronoun.” “…is used to indicate an interchange between two or more groups…” - Daniel Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, p. 351.

12. “Speak to one another” “When a plural subject is represented as affected by an interchange of the action signified in the verb it is called a reciprocal construction… The New Testament uses three methods for the expression… The Reflexive Pronoun…see also Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16.” – H.E. Dana and Julius Mantey, A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament, p. 131-132.

13. “Speak to one another” “Reflexive In The Reciprocal Sense. This is in harmony with the ancient Greek idiom. The papyri show this same blending… Thus we may note…(1 Cor. 6:7),…(Eph. 5:19),…(Col. 3:16), etc.” “This pronoun brings out the mutual relations involved.” – A.T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in Light of Historical Research. p. 691 & 693.

14. “Speak to one another” “interchange of the action…” Dana and Mantey, “interchange between two or more…” Daniel Wallace “brings out the mutual relationship…” Robertson

15. “singing and …” • In Eph. 5:19 “Speak” is modified by the phrase “with/in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…singing and making melody in your heart” to describe the manner of speaking. • In Col. 3:16 “teach and admonish” is modified by “singing with thankfulness in your hearts”

16. “Speak to one another” • The speaking is done by a plurality • The speaking is done in a “reciprocal or mutual manner” • In the parallel in Col. 3:16 the phrase is “teach and admonish one another.” • Together we see that we speak in singing for the purpose of teaching and admonishing one another.

17. In what setting are you most likely to find a plurality of brethren? Any time a group of Christians gathers? • In small groups? • In fellowships? • In a large assembly?

18. How does 5:19 fit Paul’s thoughts?

19. Our Authority for Music in Worship • A command: “Speak to one another,” & “teach and admonish one another” by “singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” • Paul hints that singing was a part of early church worship in 1 Corinthians 14:15 • Jesus and the Apostles sang after the Lord’s supper, Matthew 26:30. • There not a command or example of music otherwise.

20. The Role of Authority Jesus said he did exactly as directed by his Father: John 8:28-29, 12:49-50 The Holy Spirit speaks only as directed: John 16:12. Rebellion and arrogance is idolatry: 1 Samuel 15:22-23 God places a high standard on following his authority.

21. If Jesus did and said exactly as the Father told him, are we to live by a lesser standard?

22. How Well Do We Trust God? • Did God forget to tell us how to worship? • Can we trust that if God wanted us to worship in a particular way He would have told us? • Can we trust God to use the power of His Gospel to save?

23. “God doesn’t really care about that…”

24. What does it mean to repent? • “Repent…” (Acts 2:38) metanoeō: change your mind. • “turn…” (1 Thess 1:9, Acts 26:20) epistrephō: turn, change a course of action.

25. The value of repentance “indulged the desires of the flesh and of the mind…” Eph. 2:3 Are we practicing repentance of turning to God, or just pleasing ourselves?

26. Tradition only?