Articles
Prove All Things
“Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” (1Thess 5:21)
Some say the piano is just an aid to our singing; like a pitch pipe; a song book; and a song leader. Really?! Are the piano and organ only an aid or are they additions? How does one tell apart aids from additions?
One could argue that putting peanut butter on the unleavened bread in the Lord’s Supper would improve its taste and make worship more pleasant. Would this be an aid to worship? I think not; I think most of us would agree that it is not an aid; it is an UNAUTHORIZED addition. But, how do we arrive at this conclusion?
An addition is a breach of authority because it introduces another item of the same class. For example; the Lord specified unleavened bread and fruit of the vine to be used on the Lord’s Table. The use of another kind of food on the Lord’s Table is an addition. In contrast; the use of one container or many for the fruit of the vine; and the use of plates to pass the unleavened bread are simply aids; they aid in passing the elements which the Lord authorized but do not introduce illegal items.
In like manner; a pitch pipe; a song book; shaped notes; and a song leader all aid us in doing what God authorized; which is to sing. The introduction of another kind of music; like the introduction of another kind of food on the Lord’s Table, is not an aid; it is an addition; an addition unauthorized in God’s word.
Every time NT music is mentioned it specifies SINGING as God’s choice for us. Let’s prove that. “When they had SUNG a hymn…” (Matt 26:30; Mark 14:26); “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and SINGING hymns unto God…” (Acts 26:25); “I will give praise unto you and SING unto your name.” (Rom 15:9); “I will SING with the spirit, and I will SING with the understanding also.” (1 Cor. 14:15); “… SINGING and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph 5:19); “… SINGING with grace in your hearts unto God.” (Col. 3:16); “In the midst of the congregation will I SING praise.” (Heb 2:12); “… Is any cheerful? Let him SING psalms.” (James 5:13).
Do we find authority for instrumental music in New Testament worship? No! Acapella music? Yes! “Oh come, let us SING to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” (Ps 95:1)
(Some thoughts were adapted from “Why I Oppose Instrumental Music in Worship,” by Mike Willis.)
With brotherly affection—Andy
