FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS:

A Capella Singing in Worship

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   About once a month, we have looked at a series of lessons entitled:  “Foundational Truths.”

1.    One might argue that all truths of God’s Word are foundational.

a.    They are all important.

b.    They are all supposed to be believed and practiced.

c.    The truths that are violated by man will be punished.

2.    Some truths, however, are…

1.    More controversial than others.

2.    Rejected more than others.

3.    Therefore, these truths become extremely important to the well-being of the church.

a.    In the first century, there was much discussion about the relationship of the Law of Moses to the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.

b.    In like manner, there was controversy over the deity of Christ because of the rise of various components of Gnosticism.

c.    Because these matters were foundational, books like Romans, Galatians, John’s gospel and 1 John addressed these issues.

 

B.   Today, there are issues that must be discussed because they are debated and attacked.  Many are led astray by those who are in error.  Therefore, it is imperative that we study them from time to time.

 

C.   In this lesson, we want to look at the subtitle:  “A Capella Music in Worship.”

1.    We often address this topic as:  “Instrumental Music in Worship.”

2.    I believe it is better for individuals to constantly be aware of the right kind of music God desires in worship today.  That music is a capella.

 

I.             GOD’S WORD IS THE STANDARD

 

A.   The Bible is supposed to be the standard that all Christians are to follow.

1.    Definition:  standard

a.    A rule

b.    A code

c.    The pattern

d.    The yardstick

2.    Four verses:

a.    Psalm 119:105-106

 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

 

b.    Isaiah 8:20

 

To the law and to the testimony:  if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

c.    2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

All Scripture is given my inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, or correction, for instruction in righteousness:  that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

d.    2 Peter 1:19

 

But we also have a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed…

 

B.   It is difficult to ascertain just how many individuals who say that are Christians really look at God’s Word.

1.    They affirm it is God’s Word, but they do not study it.

2.    They say it is the standard, but their feelings seem to override what God says.

3.    They tell us the Bible is our guide, but they follow a multitude of paths other than Scripture.

4.    They use the Bible to prove their point, but ignore it when it contradicts their beliefs.

 

II.           WORSHIP IS IMPORTANT TO GOD

 

A.   Two verses:

1.    Psalm 29:2

 

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

 

2.    John 4:23

 

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

 

B.   Many understand that God alone is to be worshiped, but they fail to understand that God must be worshipped in the proper manner.

1.    Sincerity is not enough.

2.    Acts of praise devise by man are not sufficient.

3.    Acts of praise given by the majority aren’t the standard.

4.    Wonderful feelings do not constitute what’s right.

 

C.   God must authorize the worship or it is not acceptable.

1.    Examples:

a.    Cain’s worship was rejected (Gen. 4:5).

b.    Nadab and Abihu’s worship was rejected (Lev. 10:1-2).

c.    The worship of the Jews was not always accepted (Matt. 15:7-9).

d.    The worship of the Samaritans was not acceptable (John 4:22).

2.    Why does God want to choose the manner in which He is to be worshipped?

a.    He is sovereign, having all authority (Isa. 46:9).

b.    He knows that if man is left to his own devices, he will turn worship into an affair to satisfy the flesh (Rom. 1:21-23.

c.    It is a test of man’s faith (Rom. 10:17).

 

III.         WHY NO INSTRUMENT (6 Points)

 

A.   The Bible is our only standard (Phil. 1:27).

 

B.   The New Covenant, also known as, the New Testament is the binding covenant today.

1.    “For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Juda:  not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt…” (Heb. 8:7-8a).

2.    “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Heb. 8:6).

3.    “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament…” (2 Cor. 3:6).

 

C.   Obedience to God is absolutely essential (Heb. 5:9).

 

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

 

D.   We can only do the things that God has authorized to be done (Matt. 28:20; Col. 3:17).

 

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, to all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

E.   Additions and subtractions to God’s Word are sinful (Rev. 22:18-19).

 

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

 

F.    The only authorization we have in the New Testament is a capella singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

 

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

 

1.    This is found in God’s word.

2.    This is found specifically in the New Testament.

3.    It is what God has authorized.

4.    To do less, that is, fail to sing, or, to do more, that is, add an instrument, is sinful in the sight of God.

 

IV.         IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL

 

A.   Man has come to believe that the use of instruments of music in worship is not a “big deal.”

B.   Who is man to make that determination?

1.    God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8).

2.    God enabled a shepherd lad to defeat a giant instead of the monarch of Israel (1 Sam. 17:50).

3.    God commanded a man to dip himself seven times in the muddy Jordan River rather than immersing himself in the Abana or Pharpar Rivers located in Damascus (2 Kings 5:10, 14).

4.    God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Cor. 1:27).

5.    God selected twelve men from Galilee to be His ambassadors instead of appointing the graduates of the rabbinical schools (Matt. 10:2-4; Acts 2:7).

 

C.   Saul thought that bringing back Agag, the Amalekite king, and the best of the flocks and herds was no big deal, but he learned differently (1 Sam. 15:22-23).

 

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

 

D.   Anything God authorizes is a “big deal” regardless of whether man believes it to be a “little deal” or not.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Some individuals do not have an appreciation for sermons on fundamental truths.  However, they are necessary.

1.    Protection against error:  “I know the best defense against error is a potent offense of fundamental truth” (Set in Order, Pell, “Check the Winds – Don’t Be Shaken,” p. 372).

2.    Continued faithful living according to the gospel (Col. 1:23).

3.    Teaching new converts who have not been grounded in these truths (Matt. 28:20).

4.    Teaching our younger Christians so they will continue to teach the truth after we are gone (2 Tim. 2:22).

 

B.   Remember, God only seeks worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).