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"Where is the scripture that states that
'if a man does not work, he should not eat'. I thought it was in Matthew but I couldn't locate it. Can you help?" "What's wrong with listening to a group sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and is it wrong to sing such songs accompanied by mechanical instruments?" Harrell Davidson |
We have two questions that we will try to answer for this month. One of them is very short, wanting to know only where a particular passage is found. The second demands more detail. Question One: "I really enjoy this website, regularly. I am looking for a scripture that states that 'if a man does not work, he should not eat'. I thought it was in Matthew but I couldn't locate it. Can you help?" Answer to One: This comes from a lady who regularly goes to The Gospel Preceptor's website. In a second email to the author she said that she directed others to the website. This is an excellent way to help teach others. We commend her actions. The passage she is looking for is found in Second Thessalonians 3:10 where Paul wrote, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." Since she did not ask for more we have given her the correct answer. Question Two: "What's wrong with listening to a group sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and is it wrong to sing such songs accompanied by mechanical instruments?" Answer to Two: This is not only a good question, it is one that is vital. Let us look at two familiar passages. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). The second passage says, "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). May I ask a question just here? When one listens to a group such as a quartet or choir sing spiritual songs, what thoughts are going through one's mind? If the thoughts lean toward spiritual matters we are attempting to worship in vain (Matt. 15:9; Mk. 7:7-8). All spiritual, acceptable worship appeals to the mind. It is a function of the mind. It is not subjective or according to one's feelings. Are we listening for entertainment purposes? If the latter is the case, then we are using God's name and spiritual songs in a way void of sound reasoning and we are in sin being void of scriptural authority. We would say again that such is vain worship. Our hearts are to be in tune with God's will as we worship. Worldly things are to be put out of the mind. To listen to spiritual songs set to music is worldly The second part of the question is clearly defined in the two passages before us already. We are commanded to "sing and make melody in the heart" or sing "with grace in your heart." To sing spiritual songs with the instrument anytime or anywhere is without Divine authority. Only vocal singing is authorized in the Scriptures. Can you imagine us singing "The Old Rugged Cross" set to mechanical instruments of music when He who died on that cross authorized only singing? It is like slapping the Lord in the face! Instrumental music was never used by a congregation of the Lord's people in the first century. In fact, instrumental music was not introduced in any worship service until the 13th century. The Greek Orthodox churches in Greece still do not use the mechanical instrument. They understand that the Greek word "psallo" means simply to sing. The only instrument that is to be played is the heart of man. To participate in the way the questioner asked is indeed a sinful practice. Thanks for your questions. |