WE ARE COMMANDED TO SING

The command of God for Christian worship, without exception is “sing.” Never did He say,
“play” or “merely make music.” The command is “sing.” The music is subordinate to singing.
We obey the command, “sing,” and the music is thereby produced. If God had said, “make
music,” then we could choose to make any kind of music we desire. But He did not say that. He
told us the kind of music He desires--vocal music, “singing and making melody in your heart to
the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).
Does the doctrine of Christ include instrumental music in worship? Every preacher and every
Bible student of every denomination should understand that neither Christ, nor His apostles, ever
authorized such a practice. Therefore, it must be concluded that the use of instrumental music in
worship is without God’s authority, without God’s approval and without God. We must respect
the authority of Christ--without addition or subtraction.
The apostle John wrote, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ,
hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2
John 9). To “abide not in the teaching of Christ” is to do without God. “Hath not God” is the
inescapable consequence of going beyond the Word of God. Instrumental music is not used in
worship because we have no Divine command in the New Testament to do so. There is no
approved example. Nor is there a necessary inference that authorizes such. Peter wrote, “If any
man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God...” (1 Pet. 4:11). And the apostle Paul wrote,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”
(Col. 3:16).
We are commanded to sing. We have no authority to play a mechanical instrument of music
in worship. Yes, it really is that simple!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse