Answering why the churches of Christ sing acapella in the worship.
4 reasons why we JUST SING SONGS.
1) Singing Is Specifically Commanded
God has specifically commanded us to sing in worship. Ephesians 5:19 says, “SPEAKING to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Supporting this, Colossians 3:16 instructs us “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”, and James 5:13 tells the cheerful to “sing praise.” The New Testament repeatedly SPECIFIES SINGING in the church’s worship.
SPECIFIC IS TERRIFIC, for it tells us exactly what God wants. When God gives a SPECIFIC command, it eliminates all other options.
2) We Sing to One Another to Instruct and Admonish
Our singing is not for entertainment purposes; it is mutual teaching. Colossians 3:16 commands, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Ephesians 5:19 adds that we SPEAK to one another in these songs, and 1 Corinthians 14:15 shows that when the church gathers, we sing with understanding. We sing to instruct and encourage one another. Instruments cannot fulfil that command.
3) We Sing with Our Natural Voice Connected to the Heart
We use the natural voice God gave us because true worship flows from the heart. Mark 7:15-21 teaches that what comes out of a person defiles or honors God, for “from within, out of the heart of man,” come the things that matter. Ephesians 5:19 says we make melody “with your heart,” and Colossians 3:16 says we sing “with thankfulness in your hearts.” This heartfelt vocal praise was so universal in the early church that the practice itself became known as a cappella “in the style of the chapel.” Instrumental music in worship is a relatively young idea.
4) We Sing with Grace, Gratitude, and Gladness
Christian singing is filled with grace, gratitude, and gladness. Colossians 3:16 tells us to sing “with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Hebrews 13:15 calls us to “offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name,” and James 5:13 says, “Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” We lift our voices with grateful hearts, and gladness of heart for the great things God has done.
I’ve spoken to all kinds of folks from the religious world… NONE, NOT ONE, NADA, ZIP have ever said that our worship would violate their conscience if they attended. They ALL AGREE that acapella singing in the church is authorized, accepted, and alright.
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