C. CONTRAST THEIR SINGING WITH O.T. MUSIC...
1. Mechanical instruments were used in the OT to accompany praiseto God
2. In
NT worship, the instrument they used was the "heart", notthe "harp"a. Upon which they were to "make melody" - cf. Ep 5:19b. In which they were to sing "with grace" - cf. Co 3:16D.
CONTRAST OTHER ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP...
1. The OT required:a. A physical
tabernacle (temple)b. Separate priesthoodc. Special garmentsd. Burning of incensee. Elaborate ceremonies, special feast days2. In NT worship:a. The temple is the people of God - 1 Co 3:16-17; Ep 2:20-22b. All Christians are priests - 1 Pe 2:5,9c. They adorned themselves with Christ - Ga 3:27; Co 3:5-14d. Their prayers were as incense - Re 5:8e. Observance of feast days was a cause of concern - Ga 4:10,11; Co 2:16,17
CONCLUSION1. The worship in the early church was simple, and it was
"spiritual"a. Certainly simple in contrast with the worship of the Old Covenantb. Designed to encourage the worship of God with the inner man, notto make an impression on the outer man-- Not to say that the outer man was not affected, but the prioritywas on the spiritual2. This was especially true in regards to the use of mechanical instruments of music...a. "... the first Christians were of too spiritual a fiber to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompanythe human voice." -- CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIAb. "The execution of Byzantine church music by instruments, or eventhe accompaniment of sacred chanting by instruments was ruled outby the Eastern Fathers as being incompatible with the pure, solemn, spiritual character of the religion of Christ."-- Constantine Cavarnos, BYZANTI NE SACRED MUSICc. "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would beno more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up oflamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well asmany other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outwardpomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him." -
JOHN CALVIN, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. I, p. 5393. Sadly, many
today think that to become more "spiritual" requiresinnovation (change)...a. Such as mechanical instruments, clapping, burning of incense, theatrical productionsb. But such things appeal to the fleshly side of man, rather than tohis spiritual side!-- When one looks to the OT for the kind of worship they offer, theyare taking a step backward, not forward to true spirituality!4. Some complain that simple singing and worship is "out-dated" and boring...a. But the "fleshly ordinances" of the OT are older than the "spiritual worship" of the NT!b. If we find the "spiritual worship" of the NT boring, is that nota sad commentary on our own spiritual condition?1) The melody of a song may only be a simple chant...2) But if the words of the song present spiritual truths, how canthat be "boring"?-- Is it really out-dat ed, or simply challenging to those seeking toentertain themselves?In "The Church Jesus Built", the worship will seek to worship God theway Jesus instructs, again noting His words:"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers willworship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seekingsuch to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him mustworship in spirit and truth." (Jn 4:23-24)Is our worship "in spirit and truth"?
