Mike Mazzalongo

The Acappella Church

A cappella

Why Do We Only Sing?

• Because the New Testament tells us to sing

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.- I Cor. 14:14-15

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.- Eph. 5:15-17

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;- Eph. 5:18-19

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.- Col. 3:16

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

- James 5:13

Why Do We Only Sing?

• Because the word used means “to Sing”

Psallo To Pluck A Song To Sing

Do What the N. T. Says Not What it Doesn’t Say.

Why Do We Only Sing?

• Because history confirms this practice

1st Instrument

• Organ• Pope Vitalian• 666 AD

What to Avoid

Major Doctrine Ignore

What happens when we sing?

• We succeed in praising God effectively

Sing praises to God, sing praises;Sing praises to our King, sing praises.For God is the King of all the earth;Sing praises with a skillful psalm.- Ps. 47:6-7

Praise in song is our natural response when we are made

aware of God’s majesty, power, wisdom and mercy.

What happens when we sing?

• We offer spiritual thanksgiving

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;- Eph. 5:18-19

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.- Eph. 5:20

What happens when we sing?

• We encourage each other

But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews,- Acts 16:19-20

and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.- Acts 16:21-22

When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.- Acts 16:23-24

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.- Acts 16:25-26

Nothing lifts up a sad heart like singing praises to God.

Summary

We sing because:• Apostles taught this• Early church did this• We follow their teaching and example

Summary

When we sing:• Praise God effectively• Thank God spiritually• Encourage one another

When Your Congregation Sings

• Leaders choose carefully and prayerfully• Assembly should all sing

Let Us Sing To Encourage a Response!