“LET THE BIBLE SPEAK”
We have noticed several differences in religious practices of the Old Covenant and those that are authorized in the New Covenant. When Jesus died on the cross He sealed His New Covenant under which the people of God now live and worship. Our worship is manifestly different to that authorized in the Old Covenant. We do not offer animal sacrifices, or burn incense as was typical of the previous covenant. We do not keep specified feast days, such as the Passover which was a significant observance for the children of Israel. The memorial kept by the people of God today is the observance of the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:20-29. Our music in worship is also different under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant there was a choir that carried out the hymns of praise, accompanied by instruments of music. “Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy,” 1 Chron. 15:16. We do not find instruments of music, or choirs employed in the worship of the New Testament church. In the New Testament the
singing is congregational and unaccompanied by musical instruments. The following scriptures are examples: “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Eph. 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.” Col. 3:16. In these two significant passages the musical instrument is absent. It should be noted that the melody is to be made in the heart of the worshiper and not on a mechanical instrument. All of the worshipers are to teach and admonish one another in their singing. The following is a quote from Presbyterian, John Calvin in his commentary of the Book of Psalms, Vol. 1, p. 539: “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papist, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things from the Jews……………..”
Melvin Blalock, Evangelist
South Walnut Church of Christ
306 South Walnut St. • Cleburne, TX 76033
Sun. 10:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. Wed. 7:00 P.M.
www.letthebiblespeak.com
View our TV program, “Let The Bible Speak” Sun. 6:30 A.M., KTXA 21. For a free home Bible study by mail call
817-988-0417.