as the deer panteth for the water a capella church hymns

This is the Westside Church of Christ singing Hymns of praise to Jesus Christ our savior. We are located at
1705 Starview Dr
Salem, VA 24153

Our website http://www.westsidecofc-salem.com/

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

Why do some churches teach that it is wrong to use musical instruments to accompany our singing during Christian worship assemblies when the above verses don't precisely forbid it?

I think most will agree that God has specifically instructed (even "commanded") Christians to sing as part of the worship that He expects (even "demands"). Since He has not commanded nor even suggested to us to play musical instruments in worship, we can be absolutely certain that if we don't use musical instruments, then He will be pleased with Christians singing if their worship comes from the heart.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• westside
• hymns
• church
• of
• christ

[church0fchrist]

@puronicoya If that is true then it is a good thing the Church of Christ is simply that. The church that follows Christ. We are Christians only with no prefix or suffix. We are not protestant. We simply follow Christ's teachings in the new testament.

[church0fchrist]

@evangelistL By that definition you are then bound to offer burnt offerings and do everything else the old testament binds. The old law was fulfilled when Christ died. We are now under a perfect law. That perfect law commands us to sing and never mentions much less commands playing instruments. I am emailing a history on how instrumental music was introduced. Another member just posted it. it is quite eye-opening.

[parisjoel25]

great ♥

[JENTREE100]

your singing at this church is beautful! I love singing this at florida camp ever year.

[Flextones]

Amen

[texastaximom]

(I married a Baptist. He even agrees that the instruments tend to get in the way of the message.) ;)

[texastaximom]

A Capella allows you to absorb the word so much more readily than with cumbersome instruments....thank you for posting!

[church0fchrist]

@LordLimecat Yes a church does have to have a set of beliefs. Christians, not protestants or Catholics, but people who literally follow Christ's teaching will simply follow Christ's new testament pattern. It truly is simple and understandable to all. God loves us enough to give us that. So that set of beliefs is simply the bible, nothing more nothing less. The dichotomy comes when people add to God's prescribed worship. Glad you like the singing. We know God does as he commands it.

[church0fchrist]

@LordLimecat The OT is certainly relevant. It was "written for our learning" Rom 15:4. But none of the the OT worship is appropriate for NT Christians. If you keep part of the OT law you are bound to keep all of it according to Gal 5:3. You say "you do not think..." but what matters is not how we think or feel. What matters is what we can read and obey. We can read clear commands to sing. We cannot read any commands to play. It truly is that simple. It's about respecting authority of scripture.

[LordLimecat]

@church0fchrist

The OT was not superceded by Jesus; it was simply the law and prophesy that were fulfilled. Jesus and Paul and Peter frequently cite the OT, indicating that they regard it as relevant. I do not think it is a stretch to say that if something was pleasing to the lord in the OT, that it would also be pleasing in the NT.

Again, there is christian freedom on a number of things; one is free to do a capella, but I think it is a mistake to believe that instrumental is forbidden.

[LordLimecat]

@church0fchrist

I think youre making a false dichotomy; a church has to have a set of beliefs, and those beliefs will either agree with Catholics on Scripture/justification, or with Protestants, or with neither. "Not taking a position" on the authority of scripture and on the justification of sins isnt really an option.

As for a capella vs instruments, I think this is something that falls under "christian freedom" described by Paul.

Either way, I appreciate the singing, it sounds wonderful.

[church0fchrist]

@saffordpastor You believe.. is that based on reading God's word? That is the only guide for truth. It is not a preference. It is simply what can be read. "Dogma" sure is thrown around a lot. Read and obey. That's all there is. We certainly do not look down our noses. We instead say compare your worship to the commanded worship. If it is different than God's word then conform it to match his prescribed methods of worship. All worship is not pleasing to God. Sincere is not enough.