084 | Musical Instruments OR Acapella Singing? Part 1 of 2

Show Notes: *The following are a collection of New Testament Scriptures that show the NT teaching about music: 1. Singing has been authorized in our mouths and hearts – Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16 2. We are to sing in the assembly – Hebrews 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14:26 3. Worship is universal, meaning all humans are capable of worship. Instruments would have to be universally used if acceptable. – 1 Corinthians 14:26 4. Singing (praising God) is the fruit of our lips – Hebrews 13:15 5. We worship in spirit and truth when we sing internally and externally – 1 Corinthians 13:1, 14:15-16 6. God controls worship. He retains exclusive rights, right down to our thoughts – 1 Corinthians 11:23, 14:15 **The following are arguments made by advocates for musical instruments. How would you answer these? A1 – Christians who use instruments are more faithful to Christ’s mission and less guilty “making it more difficult than necessary” to draw sinners to Christ A2 – God commanded and blessed instruments. There is not a hint that God is anything but pleased with instruments! A3 – Opposers of Instruments in worship have been dividing the assembly for years! A4 – Jesus didn’t address instruments A5 – Instruments are a non-issue in the book of Acts A6 – There are instruments in heaven. A7 – There is no authority for congregational singing in the New Testament, only to sing. A8 – God is the Giver of gifts. Why would God give gifts and people not be able to use them to praise Him? A9 – The Psallo argument: psallo means “to pluck” in the Septuagint. The Bible was the Septuagint during the first century, so Christians knew it meant “to play or pluck.” Since Ephesians 5:19 says “pluck” and hymns, which were songs with instruments, we are then commanded to play instruments. A10 – The musical instrument is an expedient meant to assist in the command of singing. It is no different than song books, musical notes, tuning fork, etc.