New Antioch Church of Christ
Music
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Contrary
to what many might believe, Churches of Christ do engage in music and make it a
part of every worship service. Religious exercises always have consisted
mainly of praise and prayer. Wherever man has recognized the existence of
Deity or even a multitude of deities, his natural instincts and reason alike
have urged him to present sacrifices of thanksgiving. Religion in its very
broadest sense consists of the relation and intercourse of the soul with the
unseen. First, it is indicated that praises to God are to be celebrated among Christians and that it is an important part of worship. It is not a preface; it is not designed to prepare our minds for worship...it is a part of worship. Second, the heart should be engaged in this part of worship and it should be so preformed as to excite proper affection in the hearts of those who are engaged in worship. Third, it should be done intelligently so as to be intelligible to others as well as edifying to others.
The question then is, "What
kind of music should I offer?" The word music is a
The instructions are clear in
these verses. They tell us that we are to "sing"
(a tonal action, a vocal
expression); that we are to offer "the fruits of our lips" The above was adapted from an article "Questions and Answers" written by Hoyt Nelson for June 2002 edition of The Admonisher. If you have any other questions on this or any other Bible topic, feel free to write or e-mail us. Click on our "Contact Us" page link at the top of this page or simply click here to take you there.
Click here for FAQ and answers concerning music in the Lord's Church
Links of Interest to Song Leaders Acappella Worship Leader: The song leaders on-line resource fro improving non-instrumental worship. The Paperless Hymnal: Powerpoint presentations for many popular songs and hymns.
Cyberhymnal: Site devoted to providing
lyrics and sheet music for hundreds of hymns and worship songs.
Taylor
Publications: Supplier of sheet music, presentations, and other
supplies and resources related to church music, hymns, psalms, spiritual songs, spirituals, Christian music, religious music, church music, hymns, psalms, spiritual songs, spirituals, Christian music, religious music, church music, hymns, psalms, spiritual songs, spirituals, Christian music, religious music, church music, hymns, psalms, spiritual songs, spirituals, Christian music, religious music, church music, hymns, psalms, spiritual songs, spirituals, Christian music, religious music |
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Presented by the New Antioch Church of Christ. |
Therefore Paul said in
I Corinthians 14:15: "...I will pray with the spirit
and with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit and I will
sing with the understanding also.". What the apostle is saying in
this text is :"I will endeavor to blend all the advantages which can be derived
by singing and I will unite all the benefits which can result to myself and to
others. I deem it of vast importance to sing with the spirit in such a way
that the heart and the affections may be enlarged. And I will do this that
others may understand what is being done." In this single text the
implications are many. 
generic
term, covering vocal, instrumental, whistling, manuscripts, and other kinds.
However, Devine truth is specific as to the kind of music to be used, and a
specific order eliminates all else. The answer to the question is "The
kind of music that should be offered is the kind of music that God has
demanded." This is because the music used in worship is to
please God so we must engage in to kind of music that He specifies. Had
God simply stated in the New Testament that worship should contain "music" then
we as man would have the freedom to select the type that pleases us. This
is not the case. A careful study of the following texts will show exactly
the type of music that God will accept. 
heart" and a "sacrifice of praise" is to be offered "continually". Thus the
Churches of Christ engage only in singing in worship with no instrumental music
involved. Does this mean that we can never enjoy a concert or play an
instrument. Of course not. Being able to play an instrument is a
gift and an art that is indeed wonderful. But as Christians, we simply do
not use an instrument while engaging in praise and worship to God.