Are choruses outside of worship acceptable to God?
Categories: Bible Questions and Answers Tags: Bible Lessons on WorshipDo you believe its wrong to have choruses to sing outside of worship (after worship has been dismissed)? If so, what makes it wrong to sing religious songs w/musical instruments outside of worship? Are these things out and out wrong or are they to be considered bad judgment?
First, just because the assembly has been “dismissed” doesn’t give the church license to individually worship God in whatever way we please. Would it be acceptable to offer incense with your prayers each evening before you go to bed as long as it is not done in the assembly? Worship, whether in the assembly or out, must be done according to God’s authority (Col. 3:17).
Second, I have no problem listening to an a cappella choir or quartet provided that such groups do not restrict me from worshipping God while they are singing. That is, no one has a right to say to another Christian, “I’m worshipping now; you be quiet.” If some are going to worship by singing, then all ought to have the opportunity to worship by singing; after all, singing is to be done one to another (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).
Third, some argue that using the instrument to accompany gospel songs outside of the worship service is acceptable since it is not intended to be worship. However, those that do such are guilty of failing to respect holy things. There is a principle in the scriptures that holy things are not to be made common, and common things are not to be made holy, unless God has made them holy (Acts 10:15). What right do we have to take holy music and make it common? I suggest we have none. But that is exactly what we do when we take songs that are designed to worship and praise God, and denigrate them merely for the purpose of entertainment. That is why I do not sing spiritual songs outside of the worship assembly with instruments. It is sinful to make something common that God has made holy.