In Spirit and In Truth

Look for the following concepts in student's answers:

• It is commanded by God
• It allows all of us to express our devotion to God together simultaneously.
• It helps us grow in faith
• It helps us encourage one another
• It helps us grow in our understanding of God's will
• It teaches us
• It unites us

Note: From these verses we see that God is very specific about how He wants us to worship. In obeying our Lord, we show our faith and love. In worshipping as God directs, we recognize His authority and our role as obedient servants.

• Numbers 10:1-2 – God gives specifics on the type of instruments and how to use them in worship. These were two silver trumpets.
• Numbers 10:8 – God gave specifics on who would use these instruments. These were to be the sons of Aaron, the priests.
• Numbers 10:10 – God gave specifics as to when and why the instruments were to be used. These were used to call the congregation together, for breaking camp, and as an alarm. They were not used during worship.

• I Corinthians 14:15 – Singing with the spirit and mind
• Ephesians 5:18-19 – Making melody with your heart
• Colossians 3:16 – Singing with thanksgiving in your heart.

There are very specific instructions on the type and use of instruments in worship in the Old Testament and the New Testament. This is important in that God has always given specific instructions for worship. The lack of instruction for their use in the New Testament worship is not an oversight, nor is it an allowance for their use. God does not wish for us to use them, therefore, as obedient servants, we must not use them in our worship.

As in all parts of the practice of our faith, we use the teachings of Jesus, the apostles, and examples from the first century Church to guide us in what we are to do and this includes public worship. Nowhere in any of these are there examples of authorization for the use of instrumental music in public worship. It is forbidden by an absence of specific authorization or example. In other words, we do what the Bible tells us to do, not what it is silent about.

In the context of this passage, Jesus gave the apostles authority to decide issues they would face as the future teachers of His will. When the Church began, the Christians considered themselves as Jews but with a better understanding of Jesus as the promised Messiah and their role as His disciples. The apostles and other Christians continued with practices of synagogue worship which forbade the use of musical instruments. As the Church grew and non-Jews were added, these practices and prohibitions also continued. Since the apostles made this decision based on their authority, we have the responsibility to continue to obey.

In Matthew 26 we read how Jesus instituted the "Lord's Supper" during His final Passover celebration. As part of the Passover celebration, the Jews would sing Psalms 113-118. Note in verse 30 that Matthew records, "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." This is a clear record of how Jesus participated in singing praises to God during worship.

This is a significant passage in that when you read Psalm 118, the final song of the celebration, Jesus sang these words with the understanding that He was going to His death to atone for our sins. Please read this psalm with that in mind. Note specifically these passages in the psalm: verse 17; 20; 22, and 24.

Our singing is based on concepts and commands from God's word. Singing enables us to actively participate in teaching and encouraging. Singing further supports the unity of our unique fellowship as disciples of Christ.

A point to note here. Because singing has a teaching element to it, we must be careful that the lyrics of the songs we sing in worship are teaching truth. Furthermore, some songs are not erroneous in themselves, but may not be appropriate for everyone to sing in a public worship setting. This is not intended to discourage singing, but to ensure we are singing in spirit and truth.

One can easily understand that the spiritual fruit produced by our faithfulness through the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) gives us a foretaste of our existence in eternity. Our praises to God, specifically singing in spirit and truth, is an action that God clearly tells us will continue in heaven.

• What we do is ordained by God and pleases Him by our obedience.
• When we sing as God ordains, we participate in glorifying God
• We join in fellowship with each other through singing.