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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

Question:

Hi!
I am a Christian and a fellow member of a Church of Christ in South Florida. I recently read your bulletin online in which you discuss how it is wrong to use mechanical instruments in the Church. I completely agree with you, but my friend is a new convert and is having trouble accepting it. She recently told me that she read a book that discussed the greek texts concerning the Ephesians 5:19 verse. Anyways, she was telling me that the word for "psalm" in Greek in one that necessarily infers a playing of mechanical music, i.e., the greek word for Psalm there refers to music that is accompanied with instuments. Anyways, I was not sure how to answer her on this, but I was hoping you could help me and give me some of the greek background so that I might instuct her....

My Response

Hello ,

Thanks for writing, and I hope this letter will help you as you study. As you know, Ephesians 5:19 says: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Unfortunately, I know little about Greek, but one thing I have picked up in studying is that the word your friend has reference to comes from the Greek word "psallo." Psallo means to pluck, twang, or twitch something, like one might pluck a chalk line. Now, in context, Paul uses the word "psallo" (pluck, twang, twitch) but he also tells us what it is that we "psallo." One "psallo's" his heart in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. To simply read this passage, we see emphasis placed upon singing, not singing and playing an instrument.

It is a common thing for people to see the word "psalms" and assume this means using instruments. In truth, when a psalm is quoted in the New Testament in reference to singing (Heb. 2:12; Rom. 15:9), the writers quoted from psalms which speak of singing, and not of those which speak of instruments. I believe that to be more than coincidental, but a matter of inspiration. Nevertheless, of all the psalms that could have been used, the psalms which speak of singing were the ones used in those New Testament passages.

Your friend needs to read all 10 passages which speak of singing in the New Testament. They are: Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; I Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; Hebrews 13:15; and James 5:13. If we can understand the word "sing," then the point is made! Ten times in the New Testament, we are told to sing. One has to depart from the New Testament to justify the instrument.

One other thing is to remember the purpose behind our singing. What is the purpose of singing?

1. It shows obedience to God's command (James 5:13)
2. It follows the example of Christ (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; I Peter 2:21)
3. It follows the example of the apostles (Acts 16:25; I Corinthians 11:1)
4. It fulfills Old Testament prophecy (Romans 15:9 -- Psalm 18:49; Hebrews 2:12 -- Psalm 22:22)
5. It exhorts/encourages "one another" (Ephesians 5:19)
6. It teaches "one another" (Colossians 3:16; I Corinthians 14:15)
7. It is a spiritual sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15)

Does mechanical instrumental music fulfill any of the above? No.

God's word is consistent and true. Encourage your friend to simply read all the passages in the New Testament on this subject with an open and honest mind. Doing such can save your friend from falling prey to the false doctrines propagated by men.

I am so thankful to know you're visiting our website and learning things from it. Please visit again when you can. If you have a chance to read some of the other pages on our website, you can find some articles written concerning instrumental music. (suggestion: Articles Concerning Instrumental Music in "Bible Basics") If there is anything else I can help you with concerning this or any other Bible subject, please do not hesitate to ask me.

God bless and have a good day.

Jarrod Jacobs

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