Acts of the Assembly: Singing I. Introduction A. In the New Testament we see examples of brethren assembling and engaging in various activities 1. These activities include singing, praying, the Lord's Supper, hearing a lesson, giving, and studying the Bible 2. Such, then, are the things we do as we assemble together with one another B. It is good for us, then, to spend some time examining the nature of these activities so that we can engage in them more properly and more profitably C. Let us begin with singing D. Before we begin, let us keep two important truths in mind: 1. In the New Testament, "worship" is not limited to practices inside an assembly; the "assembly" and "worship" are never explicitly connected in the New Testament. Our lives of spiritual service-- being a living and holy sacrifice-- according to God's will represents our worship to God in spirit and in truth (Romans 12:1, John 4:20-24). Assembling with the saints is a part of that spiritual service, but not the sum of our worship to God 2. Likewise, we have seen from 1 Corinthians 14:12, 26 and Hebrews 10:24-25 that the purpose of what we do in the assembly is to edify and encourage one another-- everything we say regarding singing in the assembly must be considered in that light E. Having established such things, let us explore from the Scriptures the nature of singing in the assembly II. Singing in the Scriptures A. We find many commands and examples regarding singing in the New Testament B. Matthew 26:30 1. Jesus and the disciples sing a hymn after the Passover meal/ Lord's supper inauguration and before they went to the Garden of Gethsemane 2. Since Jesus and the disciples singing a hymn is entirely consistent with the Jewish tradition of singing a compilation of Psalm 113:1-9, 114;1-8, 115, 116, 117:1-2, and 118, called by the Jews the "Hallelujah", we have good reason to believe that such was what was sung 3. Granted, this was not an "assembly of the church" per se, but it does show that Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn together C. 1 Corinthians 14:26 1. While we may no longer have the particular spiritual gifts that the Corinthians had, we do see that in the early Christian assemblies, people would sing hymns 2. The problem in Corinth was that such was not being done orderly, and when such is being done orderly, it allows for the edification which is the purpose of these things D. Ephesians 5:19 1. While Ephesians 5 does not necessitate the context of an assembly, the singing under discussion is manifestly done in the midst of a collective of Christians, and therefore certainly applies to singing done in the assembly 2. We are to sing with the melody in our hearts E. Colossians 3:16 1. The same is true of Colossians 3:16 as Ephesians 5:19: not specifically the assembly, but it certainly applies to the assembly 2. The songs we sing are to be with thankfulness in our hearts to God F. We can see from the Scriptures then that we are to indeed sing in our assemblies III. What Shall We Sing? A. The question we now may ask is, "what songs are we to sing?" B. Paul mentions "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 1. There does not seem to be any explicit distinction between these three 2. Psalms most likely refers to the book of Psalms and similar songs 3. Hymns are songs or odes in honor of God 4. Spiritual songs-- odes-- tend to be short poems put to song 5. Regardless, these distinctions are not hard and fast, nor do we see any specific songs spoken of in the text C. We can see, then, that we have liberty in the specific songs that we sing, as long as they are a psalm, a hymn, or a spiritual song IV. Why are We to Sing? A. It is profitable for us now to consider why we sing B. Why does God desire for us to sing when we are assembled? C. Let us return to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 1. "addressing one another…" 2. "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing..." D. We can see, then, that our singing is a means by which we speak to one another, teach one another, and to admonish one another E. We sing to encourage one another! F. This is why it is important that we know what we are singing and to sing with the melody in our hearts 1. Our singing is not to be mumbling some garbled words from a songbook 2. Our singing is not to be a rote exercise that involves no thought 3. When we sing we ought to feel as if we are speaking to one another-- you are telling the other person the substance of the song that has been selected 4. Even though the words of the song you did not choose, nor the melody, you must still make it your own so as to be able to speak to and encourage others G. To illustrate the purpose of our singing, let us examine some of the songs in our songbook V. Songs We Sing A. To gain a fuller understanding of the principles involved, let us spend some time looking at some songs in our book B. All Hail the Power (Sacred Selections #19) 1. A representative song of praise to God (cf. James 5:13) 2. We see a declaration of the glory of Jesus' name 3. There is an exhortation to praise Jesus, both brethren and all flesh 4. The song ends with a message of hopeful expectation of the congregation being there 5. Do we honestly feel that we are praising God in this song, or are we just going along with the song leader? C. Take Time to be Holy (Sacred Selections #55) 1. A representative song of instruction to one another (Colossians 3:16) 2. The song's main theme is putting forth the effort to be righteous 3. The song presents many of the things we are to do to be holy-- pray, study the Bible, associate with brethren, help those in need, have self-control, etc. 4. Do we sing this to one another, striving to encourage one another to continue in these paths? D. When I Survey the Cross (Sacred Selections #179) 1. A representative song "to help prepare our minds for the Lord's Supper," a tradition we have that is not mandated but certainly not wrong 2. A wonderful song explaining how the great work that Christ did on the cross should lead us to be the living and holy sacrifice God wants us to be 3. ...yet if we are not really reflecting on the great work Christ did on the cross, how can the song really have any effect on ourselves or others? E. Free Waters (Sacred Selections #593) 1. A representative "invitation" song, another tradition we have that is not mandated but certainly not wrong 2. This song surely invites the fellow-singer/hearer to come to the fountain of God-- Christ Himself-- and obey Him 3. We all can come together to these waters and all freely partake 4. Being an invitation song, we would sing this song to invite people to come to those fountains-- to make their lives right with God, whether they be of our own or those who would come to obedience for the first time 5. Do we sing this song in a way that seems inviting? F. I hope that this exercise has illustrated why we must be entirely involved-- mind, voice, and soul-- when we sing songs 1. It is important to note that nowhere does God call upon His children to become perfect singers-- such is not the point! 2. While we should strive to make our singing better, as we should strive to excel in all that we do, that is not the point of our singing 3. What is more important is that the song is being sung from the heart, truly striving to praise God and/or to encourage one another 4. If our singing is not accomplishing this, then we are not living up to God's expectations! VI. Why We Avoid Other Practices A. Seeing, then, the nature of our singing and its purpose, we can now turn to see why we do not engage in other practices B. Instrumental music 1. At the least, we seem odd, and at the worst, outright legalistic and heretical, for not having instruments in our assembly a. many in denominations use it without ever really thinking about it b. it is simply a given-- tradition has made it normative in many churches 2. Yes, we can appeal to the fact that instruments were not used in Christian assemblies until the second half of the first millennium, and we can show that God passed over them entirely in silence in the New Testament, and that all is very true 3. ...yet when we look at the purpose of singing, it becomes rather clear why God passed over them in silence-- they do nothing to help us speak to one another in song! 4. If we brought in a piano, or a guitar, or another instrument, would that help you understand the song's message any better? Of course not. It would, however, distract you from focusing on the words! 5. The introduction of the instrument leads to a greater concept of the assembly as entertainment, or, at the very least, shifts the focus away from the message of the song to the production of the song itself 6. God does not desire the work of man's hands to praise Him-- He desires men to praise Him! 7. It is rather ironic that the same people who so vociferously defend an idea of God saving man with no works of man involved yet think that they should praise God with the works of their hands! 8. Instruments, then, in no way assist us in reaching the purposes of our singing in the assembly-- there is no point, then, in having them! C. Choirs, solos, and praise teams 1. Other practices that are consistently used tend to either highlight certain singers, as in praise teams, or have only some sing at a given time, as with choirs and solos 2. Again, we see no such thing indicated from the New Testament at all... 3. ...and as we look to the purpose of our singing, we again see a disconnect 4. How can we sing to "one another" if not all are involved? 5. How can we have singing be a means by which we exhort one another, encourage one another, etc., if not all are participating? 6. As with instrumental music, choirs, solos, and praise teams shift the emphasis away from the message of the song to the production of the song, something which is not emphasized in the Scriptures! 7. It begins to serve as entertainment-- some sitting while others do the singing; little different from a concert! 8. We can see, then, that choirs, solos, and/or praise teams do not assist us in reaching the purposes of our singing but hinder them, and thus are entirely unnecessary D. We can see, therefore, that we engage in no other practice because those practices are not authorized by God and do nothing to help us in any way achieve the purpose of our singing VII. Conclusion A. We have examined the nature of singing in the assembly B. We see that the Scriptures attest to the need for Christians to sing with one another and that such was done during the assembly C. We have seen the purpose of our singing is to exhort one another, to praise God, to instruct one another, to admonish one another, depending on the song itself-- we sing to build one another up! D. We can only sing effectively when we put our heart, soul, and mind into our singing E. Other practices do not help us in our singing; they come without divine approval and they can only hinder, not help, us focus on the message of the song F. Let us strive, then, to speak to one another in song, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, to the edification of the Body G. Invitation/songbook H. We have spent much time speaking about our singing today I. At this time we offer the invitation for you to make your life right with God J. Let us focus on this song-- see how we strive to invite you to work with us in God's Kingdom K. If we can help you in any way, please let us do so; come to the front as we stand and sing