What About Singing During The Lord's Supper?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags: Bulletin Articles on SingingA querist asks, “Is there any scriptural reason a congregation should not sing during the Lord’s Supper?”
Yes, there is indeed a scriptural reason. The inspired writer, Paul states in Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
1) To do a thing in the name of the Lord Jesus is to do it for Him and as He directs (by his authority). Bible authority is ascertained by:
- Direct Command
- Approved Example
- Necessary Inference
- Expediency (suitability for a given purpose)
Since singing during the Lord’s Supper does not fall into any of the above categories, we can conclude that singing is not authorized by the Lord while partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
2) Observance of the Lord’s Supper and singing are two separate and distinct acts of worship, involving very different physical, mental and spiritual participation. There are four things we must do in order to properly partake of the Lord’s Supper:
- We are to look inwardly by “examining ourselves” in the act of observance (1 Corinthians 11:28).
- We are to look outwardly. We “proclaim the Lord’s death till he come” by our participation(1 Corinthians 11:26 ASV).
- We are to look backward as we remember the events of Calvary (1 Corinthians 11:25).
- We are to look forward to our Lord’s eventual return (1 Corinthians 11:26).
3) In order to praise God acceptably when we “sing with the spirit and with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15), we must:
- Give attention to the lyrics of the songs we sing as much so as if we were actually composing them at the moment in praise to God.
- Follow the music to which the lyrics are set in order to properly sing in unison with other members.
Neither act of worship, whether singing or partaking of the Lord’s Supper, can properly be engaged in while attempting the other. Only those who partake mechanically and ritualistically of the Lord’s Supper would want to attempt singing in connection with it, and then only to create some emotional scenario which is without apostolic precedent, and wholly unacceptable to those who desire to participate in only the acts of worship authorized by the New Testament of our Lord.