Topic(s): Bible Authority, Worship

Todd Clippard

Sadly, many brethren are appealing to the sensual and fleshly displays in worship, and are not satisfied to walk in the simple way of God.

Worship must be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). In truth means according to God's word (John 17:17). All things must be done by the authority of Jesus Christ (Col 3:17). Where is the authority for singing during the Lord's Supper? Jesus and His disciples sang AFTER the institution of the Lord's Supper in Matthew 26. This singing was in no way connected to the observance of the Lord’s Supper.

Additionally, in partaking the Lord's Supper:
1. One is to look BACKWARD - "This do in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
2. One is to look FORWARD - "Ye do show the Lord's death till He come"
(1 Corinthians 11:26).
3. One is to look INWARD - "Let a man examine himself" (1 Corinthians 11:28).
4. One is to look UPWARD - the presence of Christ: “I will . . . drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).

Singing is to be a congregational effort. If my conscience will not allow me to sing when others are singing during the Lord's Supper, in what other acts of worship may I also refuse to participate?

Also, what about the disturbance caused by the singing when I am trying to focus on the Lord's Supper and privately meditate upon its significance (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40)? Are brethren so selfish so as to pursue this unscriptural practice to the disruption of worship, fellowship, and unity? Whatever happened to
 Philippians 2:3-4?

If one may mix the various acts of worship, is it acceptable to sing while one is praying? What about singing while the preacher delivers his sermon?

In summary, singing during the Lord’s Supper is without biblical authority, and is nothing more than a modernistic appeal to the flesh.