Why We Sing And Do Not Play
"Why don't you use an organ or a piano?" This question is often asked of members of churches of Christ when our religious friends observe that we sing but do not play or use instrumental music in giving praise to God. The reaction is generally surprise when they learn that it is a matter of doctrinal conviction. "But why? Why do you believe that?" In this article we will submit three basic reasons for our teaching and practice on this point.
I. Everything Done In The Service Of God Must Be Divinely Authorized
Colossians 3:17 states, "And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...." Note that "whatsoever" and "all" that we do in serving God is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus" or by his authority.
Ephesians 5:24 says, "But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything." "Wives" are to be "subject to" their "husbands" just "as the church is subject to Christ." But the "wives" are to be "subject" "in everything." Hence, the church is to be "subject to Christ" (obeying, submitting herself to his control) "in everything."
From these passages it is obvious that whatever kind of music is used in giving praise to God it must be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus" or by his authority. Whatever kind of music the church employs she must be subjecting herself to Christ, obeying him, or submitting herself to his control.
II. Everything Done In The Service Of God Must Be Authorized By The New Testament
Colossians 2:14-16 declares, "....having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.... Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day."
We are to "let no man therefore judge" us concerning "a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day," Old Testament observances, because "the bond written in ordinances" containing them has been "blotted out," "taken out of the way," and nailed "to the cross."
Hebrews 9:15-17 states, "And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it. For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth."
When Jesus Christ died on the cross, therefore, not only did his death result in the abolition of the authoritativeness of the Old Testament but also in making "of force" a "new covenant" or "testament." Hence, Christians "serve" God "in the Gospel of his Son." (Romans 1:9)
In the light of these passages, then, whatever kind of music is used in giving praise to God it must be authorized not only by the Old Testament, but by the "new" "testament."
"But," someone says, "the New Testament does this very thing. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 teaches us to use our talents in serving God. So, if a person has the talent to play a musical instrument he should play it."
This reasoning proves too much. For in the parable the man who did not use his talent was "cast" "into the outer darkness." (Matthew 25:30) The conclusion to this argument, then, would be that everyone that has a talent to play an instrument and does not will be "cast" "into the outer darkness." Hence, when a church has a number of members who play a number of instruments they must all play them or be "cast" "into the outer darkness."
Then, of course, there are others who have talents. Sister "A" can make good cornbread. Brother "B" (before his conversion, of course) was the most talented moonshine maker in the county, Sister "C" was a strip-tease dancer before her conversion and is reported to have been very talented in this work. Can you imagine what a worship service would be like with all these folks using their talents?
One of the basic things wrong with this talent argument is that it overlooks the truth of point! The use of talents must be within the realm of things divinely authorized. The authority for using instrumental music in giving praise to God must be shown first for that which is not authorized does not please God no matter how talented one might be in doing it.
"But," someone else says, "the book of Revelation shows that there was instrumental music in heaven. Revelation 5:8 shows that certain ones had 'each one a harp.' Revelation 14:2 says that John 'heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps'."
John also saw a "creature" "like a lion," a "creature like a calf," a "creature" "like a flying eagle." (Revelation 4:7) And these were among those who had "a harp." He also saw "many angels" (Revelation 5:11), and he heard "every created thing which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and on the sea." (Rev. 5:13) Reader, wherever and into whatever activity the alleged instruments and instrumental music be put on the ground that they were in heaven the other things must go too. This argument, like the one on the talents, proves too much and, therefore, proves nothing.
III. Everything In The New Testament Authorizing Music In Giving Praise To God Authorizes Vocal Music
A. Acts 16:25 — "But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God...."
B. 1 Corinthians 14:15 — ....I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also...."
C. Ephesians 5:19 — ....speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord."
D. Colossians 3:16 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God."
E. Hebrews 2:12 — "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise."
F. James 5:13 — "Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise."
Everything that is done by Christians in serving God must be authorized by the New Testament. But everything in the New Testament authorizing music in giving praise to God authorizes vocal music (singing) and not instrumental music (playing on an instrument).
Reader, this is why we sing and do not play.
— 4238 Idaho, Dallas, Texas