SINGING AND WORSHIP

I. References in the New Testament to “Singing”

A. Gospel Accounts (humneo to sing a hymn)

1. Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26 “And then they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

B. Acts Accounts (humneo to sing a hymn)

1. Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:”

C. Epistle Accounts (ado to sing an ode; humneo to sing a hymn))

1. Romans 15:9-11 “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing (Grk. to sing praise with a musical instrument) unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”

2. I Corinthians 14:15 “I will sing (Grk. to sing praise with a musical instrument) with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

3. Ephesians 5:18-19 “Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

4. Colossians 3:16 “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.”

5. Hebrews 2:12 “I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”

II. References in the New Testament to “Worship”

A. Gospel Accounts (proskun to kiss toward)

Note: These references make no mention of singing in their worship.

1. Wiseman worshipped without music! (Matthew 2:1-12)

2. Leper worshipped without music! (Matthew 8:2)

3. Ruler worshipped without music! (Matthew 9:18)

4. Disciples worshipped without music! (Matthew 14:33)

5. Woman of Canaan worshipped without music! (Matthew 15:25)

6. Servant worshipped without music! (Matthew 18:26)

7. Mother of Zebedee, James & John worshipped without music! (Matthew 20:20)

8. Mary Magdalene & the other Mary worshipped without music! (Matthew 28:9)

9. Eleven Disciples worshipped without music! (Matthew 28:17)

10. Gadarene demoniac worshipped without music! (Mark 5:6)

11. Ascension disciples worshipped without music! (Luke24:52)

12. Blind man worshipped without music! (John 9:38)

B. Acts Account

No references!

C. Epistle Accounts (latreuo to worship publicly)

1. Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

III. References in the New Testament to “Praise”

A. Gospel Accounts (ainos praise; aineo praise)

1. Matthew 21:16 “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.”

2. Luke 2:20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

3. Luke 19:37-38 “And when Jesus was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had see; saying, blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord” peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

4. Luke 24:52-53 “And they worshipped Jesus, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.”

B. Acts Accounts (aineo praise)

1. Acts 2:46-47 “And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

2. Acts 3:8-9 “The lame man leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:”

3. Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

C. Epistle Accounts (ainesis praise; arête praise; aineo praise; humneo to hymn)

1. Romans 15:11 “Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.”

2. Ephesians 1:6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

3. Hebrews 2:12 “In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”

4. Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

5. I Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praise of him who hath call you out of darkness into hi marvelous light:”

6. I Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion of ever and ever. Amen”