WORSHIP IN THE LORD'S CHURCH
I. Throughout God's Word Acceptable Worship Must Meet God's Commands
A. Cain and Able - Gen 4:1-8
B. Nadab and Abihu - Lev 10:1-2
C. Ananias and Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11
II. Worshipping God In Music
A. Instrumental music has NOT always been used in worship- first widely used in 13th century
B. New Testament verses mentioning music
i) Mt. 26:30 - after singing a hymn they went to the Mount of Olives
ii) Acts 16:25 - Paul and Silas were praying and singing ( in prison )
iii) Rom 15:9 - I will sing to thy name
iv) I Cor. 14:15 - I will sing with the Spirit and understanding
v) I Cor. 14: 26 - When you assemble each one has a psalm ... let all things be done for edification
vi) Eph 5:18-19 - speaking to one another in psalms , hymns , and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord
vii) Col 3:16 - admonish one another with psalms , hymns , and spiritual songs , singing with Thanksgiving in your heart to the Lord
viii) Heb 2:12 - in the midst of the congregation I will sing thy praise
ix) Heb 13:15 - offer up a sacrifice of praise to God , that is , the fruit of your lips
x) James 5:13 - if any is cheerful let him sing praises
C. Music in the New Testament Church must speak , teach , admonish , give thanks , proclaim , confess , and make melody in your heart
D. Arguments for acapella music
i) must have authority to do anything in worship
ii) when God says " sing" he does not have to say " don't play "
iii) transgression means " going beyond the prescribed limits "
iv) History : Early Fathers condemned instrumental music - Augustine , Justin Martyr , Jerome: Reformers condemned instrumental music - Luther , Calvin , Wesley , Spurgeon
E. Arguments for instruments
i) used in the O.T. - not under the Law ; if we take one part we must keep all ( e.g. animal sacrifice )
ii) harps in Heaven - there are many differences in Heaven and Earth
iii) instruments are aids - a song book keeps us together not add to the sound ; a piano is another kind of music
( e.g. immersion in water and sprinkling are different acts of baptism )
E. Arguments for instruments
i) used in the O.T. - not under the Law ; if we take one part we must keep all ( e.g. animal sacrifice )
ii) harps in Heaven - there are many differences in Heaven and Earth
iii) instruments are aids - a song book keeps us together not add to the sound ; a piano is another kind of music
( e.g. immersion in water and sprinkling are different acts of baptism )