FALSE STATEMENTS THAT ARE SOMETIMES MADE

UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN.

FALSE STATEMENTS THAT ARE SOMETIMES MADE

ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (4)

"The church of Christ, huh? I’ve heard of you. You’re the ones that don’t believe in music." Many of us have heard these or similar words from those who are not members of the Lord’s church.

Is it true that we "don’t believe in music?" There may be some Christians that consider all types of music to be sinful, but I personally have never encountered or heard of such people. We do need to recognize this: some music, because of its inappropriate language or sexually stimulating sounds and rhythms, ought not to be played or listened to by those that want to keep their hearts pure (James 4:8). However, this fact does not warrant the conclusion that all music is evil.

So, no, members of the church are not against music per se. An honest inquirer might ask, "Why, then, are you opposed to having music in your worship services?" Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary gives the following as one of the definitions of "music": "Vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds, having rhythm, melody, or harmony." In view of this meaning of the word "music," it can truthfully be said that in the worship services of the church of Christ we have music. What kind of music? Singing, which is one type of vocal music (Look again at the definition of "music" – "Vocal … sounds, having rhythm, melody, or harmony."). Humming and whistling would also be classified as vocal music, but they are unauthorized as part of the worship of the church.

Really, the question is not, "Should we have music in our worship to God?" Rather, the question is, "What type of music is authorized by the New Testament of Jesus the Christ for the worship of the church?"

Worship that pleases God is worship that is carried out in spirit and in truth (John 4:23,24). "In spirit" indicates that true worship must be from the heart and with the proper attitude. "In truth" means that worship must be according to truth, which is God’s word (John 17:17). Let us remember that although the Old Testament scriptures are truth, the Old Testament law is no longer in force. Jesus abolished it when He died on the cross (Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14). Thus, when we talk about the worship of the church, we must concern ourselves with what is taught in the new covenant, not the old.

Activities of the church, including its worship, must be authorized by the Christ. We are to do all things "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). Jesus told His apostles to instruct all men to observe His commands (Matthew 28:20). Those who abide in Christ’s teaching have both the Father and the Son. Those who do not abide in Jesus’ teaching do not have the Father. Where did we get such an idea? 2 John 9 declares it to be so.

So why is it that the church of Christ does not use mechanical instruments of music in worship to God? The simple answer is this: their use is not authorized by the New Testament. There is no New Testament passage in which:

There is a command to sing with the use of mechanical instruments of music;

There is a direct statement about singing praises to God with the accompaniment of mechanical instruments;

There is a God-approved example of Christians singing praises to God with the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music;

There is an implication that the church should or may sing with the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music.

Therefore, there simply is no authority from God for mechanical instruments of music to be used in worship to Him.

If that be the case, then what type of music is authorized to be in the worship of the church? Note carefully that we are not asking about what Israel did under the old law, nor are we asking, "What do others do in our time?" We want to know what God has authorized for the church.

In order to find out the type of music that God wants in the worship of the church, it is necessary to find and examine every New Testament passage that touches on this subject. The passages that make mention of praising God with music after the establishment of the church include: Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13.

In each of the above-noted verses we read of singing or praising God with the mouth. Neither these verses nor any others in the law of the Christ make mention of using mechanical instruments in worship to God. Once again, the reason, the only reason, that the church of Christ does not use mechanical instruments of music in worship to God is that their use is not authorized by the New Testament. It is not a matter of tradition, nor is it a matter of personal likes or dislikes. It is a question of authority – will we act by what God has authorized, or will we have it our way?

More and more members of the church, including some well-known preachers, have dropped their opposition to the use of mechanical instruments in worship. They may not be ready to bring them into the worship of the local church, but they make it known that they do not see anything wrong with them. Not a few of them have openly participated in worship where the instrument was used. Yet, the Bible has not changed.

Is it really that big a deal? I mean, isn’t the use of mechanical instruments of music just a matter of opinion? So goes the reasoning of some. Friends, when people bring into the worship services of the church that which is unauthorized, that IS a big deal! The use of mechanical instruments of music is not according to Christ’s commands. Their use is no part of His doctrine. Thus, to use them in worship is wrong, and such keeps the users from being in fellowship with the Father and the Son (2 John 9). THAT is serious!

God being our helper, we will continue to sing praises to Him from the heart. This is what the Bible teaches us to do. At the same time, we will continue to do our singing of spiritual songs without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments. Why? Because there is no scriptural authority for their use.

-- Roger D. Campbell