Acapella By Hendrik Joubert

Acapella

By Hendrik Joubert

While a study of history is boring for some, others find it quite interesting to learn how things were done in days gone by. Dictionaries are constantly updated to explain the meaning of new words formulated, as well as those borrowed from other languages. Etymology, the study of word origins or the history of a word,¹ contains lessons in history and titbits of historical facts. Ignorance of history may cause us to think that things have always been this way, and old things may be considered new initiatives. (¹Encarta)

Does the fact that some will not use instrumental music to accompany their singing in worship to God not strike you as odd; the Church has always used instruments of music? Back in the Old Testament David played the harp, and we even find harpists in heaven; who could legitimately object to instrumental music in worship? (¹1Samuel 16:16-18 ²Revelation 14:2) Are you familiar with the term acapella? It is used to describe the practice of singing "Without instrumental accompaniment;"1 the way in which some insist on glorifying God. (¹http://www.answers.com/topic/a-cappella) Acapella is a word borrowed from Latin, the language of the Roman empire¹ at the time of Christ. The composition of the word is described as follows: Italian: a, in the manner of + cappella, chapel, choir. The 1989 edition of Webster's Family Encyclopaedia reads: a cappella (Italian: in the church style)...² We know that Italian, like the other Romance languages, is the direct offspring of the Latin spoken by the Romans and imposed by them on the peoples under their dominion.³ (¹http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=latin ²WFE, Volume 1, p.11 ³http://www.university-world.com/italian/italian_language_history.html)

Do you not find it interesting that the word describing singing without instrumental accompaniment literally means in the church style? A study of church music reveals that "There is no reference to instrumental music in the worship of the New Testament or the worship of the church for the first six centuries."¹ The same author points out that a cappella is a practice remaining from apostolic times.¹ Let us use this hint to establish the significance of the term. (¹http://www.answers.com/topic/a-cappella)

In Acts 2:42 we learn that the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (NKJV) From what Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18-19 some have concluded that the apostles determined the doctrine of the Lord's church; however when one considers the promise Jesus made to the twelve, as recorded in John 14:25-26 and John 16:12-13, the reading whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven"¹ confirms that what the apostles bound on earth was decided in heaven, from where it was revealed to them. (¹Matthew 16:19 (NASB))

Concerning his letters, written according to the wisdom given him,¹ the apostle Paul writes: ...by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:...² In his letter to the Galatians he declares that what he preaches he received through the revelation of Christ.³ The teaching of Christ⁴ at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,...⁵ No man has the power or authority to make rules of doctrine.⁶ Christians are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered.⁷ (¹1Peter 3:15-16 ²Ephesians 3:4-5 ³Galatians 1:11-12 ⁴2John 1:9 ⁵Hebrews 2:3 ⁶Matthew 15:9; 2Timothy 3:16-17 ⁷Jude 1:3-4(NKJV))

What then of the many references to instrumental music in the Old Testament, and also in heaven? The author of the article on answers.com writes: The absence of instrumental music in New Testament worship is significant given the abundance of Old Testament references and commands. Why are we not able to find one example of the use of an instrument in the New Testament church? Here the significance the term a capella becomes evident; the absence of music in the New Testament church is confirmed when the practice of the church defined a term we commonly use to describe the practice of singing without an instrument in our modern society.

The assumption that the instrument is not mentioned in the New Testament is not entirely accurate: ...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,...¹The importance of worship from the heart² is stressed in both covenants, or Testaments. (¹Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV) ²Psalm 50:14-15; Romans 6:17)

Our actions are expressions of (in) whom, but also what we believe. This fact explained through James¹ could hardly be better illustrated than in the case of Moses. In Exodus 17:6 the Lord instructs Moses to strike the rock in order to receive water. Years later the Lord instructs Moses to speak to the rock in order to receive water. Moses, frustrated with the people, strikes the rock twice. Notice what the Lord says to both Moses and Aaron: "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (¹James 2:14-26; Hebrews 11; ²Numbers 20:12 (NKJV))

Moses did not believe God? God told them how to get the water and they did differently. Does it really matter what he did to the rock; God is the One who supplies the water? Some argue that it is not what Moses did as much as what he said that was wrong: "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Numbers 20:10 (NKJV)

His words illustrate the attitudes which lead to the action, and the action reveals the attitude of must we. This is exactly what happens when we change the instructions coming from the Lord. Who has the power or the authority to decide what is necessary to follow and what not? Who could say shall we, or demonstrate the attitude by doing differently from that which God revealed?

Look at the complete accusation: you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel.¹ When we subjectively decide what is important and what not we are poor examples; we leave the impression that one is able to change what God says as you consider necessary. Think about all the changes made by the different Church Councils and Synods. AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.'" (¹Numbers 20:12 ²Matthew 15:9 (NKJV)

Why could Moses not do as he was previously instructed? Why could we not use the instrument as David did? We express our faith in God when we do WHAT He says, WHEN He says, HOW He says. We express our faith in people when we follow what they decide should also be acceptable. Have you ever found yourself saying the Bible does not say not to... As in the case of Moses the New Testament contains what we need to do, and everything not mentioned is excluded in the same way we communicate with one another.

Many object that we are living under grace, and not under law; rules such as these are considered legalism and a denial of God's grace. The apostle Paul asks this question of those who would set aside all doctrine: What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!¹ The instruction to Christians are: ...as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (¹Romans 6:15 ²1 Peter 1:14-16 (NKJV)

When God defines love towards Him, He reveals: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.¹ When two people are in love they make every effort to establish what the other likes in order to please one another. God says that if we love Him we will find out what He likes and we will do it from the heart. Let us sing and make melody in our heart to the Lord² and obey from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.³ (¹1 John 5:3 (NKJV) ²Ephesians 5:19 ³Romans 6:17)