Church Worship singing and music

[Its_real_for me !]

Gotta accept the fact that we are living in the New Testament not the old . You wanna follow the Old Canon in the psalms , that's on you !

The only verses mentioned is singing ( or music ) in church services is...

Ephesians 5:19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord"

Colossians 3:16, "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom through psalms ( meaning a song but doesn't mean how it was performed in the OT) and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING ( no mention of the type of music and instruments) to God with gratitude in your hearts"

Hebrews 12:2, "I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises"

James 5:13 "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise"

and I wouldn't doubt at one time just acapella was done due to these verses not talking about instruments.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

What is your point here and why the confrontational and argumentative tone? I do not doubt that anyone here disagrees with what you are saying.

Based upon the scriptures you have cited, we perfectly understand the reason for using singing in our worship. The scriptures in the NT does not specifically mention the use of musical instrument nor do they expressly forbid them so I believe you can form your own opinion and exercise a little grace towards those who may disagree!

The persecuted church of the first century likely had other things to do aside from developing any sort of elaborate hymnody and people likely did not have time to take up the "kithara" in order to add musical accompaniment. I agree that we have gone too far with our "Worship" services and perhaps it is a good idea at times to unplug your Fender Stratocasters and sing "acapella" ever so often and rediscover what a blessing such truly can be! Those who get all critical and legalistic about it really ruin it for everyone!

I hate rude behavior in a man - I won't tolerate it!

 

[JonC]

God is immutable. In the NT we are told to speak in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs making a joyful noise from the heart.

The psalms are in the Old Testament.

I know "immutable" is one of those "big words". It means that God does not change in His nature.

When the NT tells us to devote ourselves to Scripture it is speaking (at the time it was written) of the Old Testament. We devote ourselves to Scripture and the teachings of the Apostles.

 

[Armchair Apologist]

God is immutable. In the NT we are told to speak in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs making a joyful noise from the heart.

The psalms are in the Old Testament.

I know "immutable" is one of those "big words". It means that God does not change in His nature.

When the NT tells us to devote ourselves to Scripture it is speaking (at the time it was written) of the Old Testament. We devote ourselves to Scripture and the teachings of the Apostles.

The doctrine of immutability is a good thing to bring up in discussions such as this. The nature and character of God does not change between the Old and New Testament. God would not inspire Psalm 150 where we are instructed to "Praise him with stringed instruments" and to "Play skillfully with a loud noise" (I.E., fire up the Stratocaster!) only to say that musical instruments are unscriptural in the New Testament!

But it is good at times to unplug the ol' Stratocaster and open up a good hymnal and "raise the rafters" with some good "sanging!!!"

 

[Mike B]

I love to sing to the Lord, and generally prefer the older hymns that I know the lyric
and words to. Having emphysema doesn't stop me one bit from belting out my love
for the Lord in song, and fortunately when the whole church is singing my croaking
gets drowned out.

Being hearing impaired, if they are singing a song I don't know, and especially if there's a
bunch of instruments playing (like electric guitar) I generally won't have a clue to what they
are singing. In my one working ear it's all just a jumble of noise....could be "Smoke on the
water" for all I can tell.

A good piano player and an old gospel song is all that is needed, and I too enjoy just the
people raising their voices and hearts to the Lord without any instruments.

I attended a local, "non-denominational" church last Sunday, and the four ladies did their best,
but my opinion overall was that there was too much singing (or standing and listening while
the four ladies sang) and not enough preaching. Doubtful I'll return for another service there.

 

[Its_real_for me !]

Typo, ! Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to come off brash.

 

[Its_real_for me !]

God is immutable. In the NT we are told to speak in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs making a joyful noise from the heart.

The psalms are in the Old Testament.

I know "immutable" is one of those "big words". It means that God does not change in His nature.

When the NT tells us to devote ourselves to Scripture it is speaking (at the time it was written) of the Old Testament. We devote ourselves to Scripture and the teachings of the Apostles.

God’s character is the same yesterday today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

However…he does change the course of events.

One example about dietary laws, verses God telling Peter, a Jew, kill and eat.

Acts 10:11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Acts 10:13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Acts 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

 

[JonC]

God’s character is the same yesterday today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

However…he does change the course of events.

One example about dietary laws, verses God telling Peter, a Jew, kill and eat.

I agree things change. Adam was given plants as food, Noah all animals, Israel from Moses to the fulliment of the Old Covenant had dietary laws.

BUT those were in the Bible. The only thing we are told regarding worship is to worship in spirit and truth.

The New Testament does not prohibit musical instruments. The New Testament does not confirm or deny that congregations sang using instruments.

The only reason to demand worship should be a cappella or should be accompanied with musical instruments is one elevates their preferences to the role of God.

I have no problem with congregations singing a cappella. Perhaps these churches have no members God blesses with the gift to play an instrument. Maybe they prefer a cappella.

I also have no problem with congregations having members God gifted with the talent to play instruments joining in worship using their gifts.

The real problem (the sin) comes in when professing Christians judge the worship of other Christians (they "judge the servants of Another").


For some reason it has become common for believers of one congregation and practices to ignore Scripture and weasel their way into the business of another congregation with diffenent practices.

If your congregation only sings a capella you should do so in spirit and truth. If my congregation uses a paino, or a guitar and drums, or trumpets and a saxophone, then we should do so in spirit and truth.

The worship of your congregation is none of my business. The worship of another congregation is none of your business.

 

[Its_real_for me !]

I agree things change. Adam was given plants as food, Noah all animals, Israel from Moses to the fulliment of the Old Covenant had dietary laws.

BUT those were in the Bible. The only thing we are told regarding worship is to worship in spirit and truth.

The New Testament does not prohibit musical instruments. The New Testament does not confirm or deny that congregations sang using instruments.

The only reason to demand worship should be a cappella or should be accompanied with musical instruments is one elevates their preferences to the role of God.

I have no problem with congregations singing a cappella. Perhaps these churches have no members God blesses with the gift to play an instrument. Maybe they prefer a cappella.

I also have no problem with congregations having members God gifted with the talent to play instruments joining in worship using their gifts.

The real problem (the sin) comes in when professing Christians judge the worship of other Christians (they "judge the servants of Another").


For some reason it has become common for believers of one congregation and practices to ignore Scripture and weasel their way into the business of another congregation with diffenent practices.

If your congregation only sings a capella you should do so in spirit and truth. If my congregation uses a paino, or a guitar and drums, or trumpets and a saxophone, then we should do so in spirit and truth.

The worship of your congregation is none of my business. The worship of another congregation is none of your business.

I make it my business to avoid being part of it, and prohibits me from being able to find a church to worship and to encourage others not to be part of it. Either churches are non denominational contemporary music or if they aren’t they have yelling preachers at Baptist churches. Can’t win. Contemporary Worship service music is about feel good sensationalism/entertainment, then it not glorifying God, it’s glorifying men, and that’s not my opinion that’s a fact. To me it’s a distraction.

 

[JonC]

I make it my business to avoid being part of it, and prohibits me from being able to find a church to worship and to encourage others not to be part of it. Either churches are non denominational contemporary music or if they aren’t they have yelling preachers at Baptist churches. Can’t win. Contemporary Worship service music is about feel good sensationalism/entertainment, then it not glorifying God, it’s glorifying men, and that’s not my opinion that’s a fact. To me it’s a distraction.

That is your business. Follow your conscious.

I would never consider attending a church that restricts worship to a cappella singing. I have visited a church that only allowed the kjv (that was a non-starter as the only reason is heresy). So I do not attend those churches.

Contemporary worship music is not about feelings, but it does not exclude feelings. For you it would be an obstacle. For me, singing only old hymns would be an obstacle.

We worship in truth and spirit. This sometimes means we worship differently. But where you desire people to abandon true worship I say each must obey God and genuinely worship Him.

 

[Its_real_for me !]

That is your business. Follow your conscious.

I would never consider attending a church that restricts worship to a cappella singing. I have visited a church that only allowed the kjv (that was a non-starter as the only reason is heresy). So I do not attend those churches.

Contemporary worship music is not about feelings, but it does not exclude feelings. For you it would be an obstacle. For me, singing only old hymns would be an obstacle.

We worship in truth and spirit. This sometimes means we worship differently. But where you desire people to abandon true worship I say each must obey God and genuinely worship Him.

It’s like being in a classroom with girls with mini skirts on trying to pay attention to the lesson and the teacher, it's a distraction. No dress code no standard. Does your church dress modestly ?