SINGING DURING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Hugo McCord

A Christian brother writes:

Our preacher says that singing during the observance of the Lord’s Supper is a matter of opinion, and, since some members like to sing at that time and others don’t, he leads singing while partaking of one emblem and we have quiet while partaking the other, is he right on this? Do we have biblical authority to sing while partaking? Is it simply a matter of personal preference?

No one who lets the New Testament be his complete guide in religion will sing during the observance of the Lord’s Supper, for at the first observance of the Lord’s Supper singing was done after the Supper was finished; “And when they had sung a hymn they went out to the mount of Olives” (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26).

Those adhering strictly to the New Testament are disturbed and offended if they are forced to hear singing while they are in worshipful meditation, “discerning the Lord’s body” (I Corinthians 11:29).

But if singing during the Lord’s Supper may be safely placed in the realm of “personal preference,” comparable to eating meats versus vegetables only, and since no one contends that singing during the Lord’s Supper must be done, Paul has taught how we should behave:

If your brother is pained because of food [singing during the Lord’s Supper], you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food [singing during the Lord’s Supper] that one for whom Christ died. DO not let your good be condemned; for God’s kingdom is not food and drink [singing during the Lord’s Supper], but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. He who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God, and respected among men.

Let us therefore pursue peaceful things, and things that build up one another. Do not tear down God’s work because of food [singing during the Lord’s Supper] (Romans 14:15-20).

Even if singing during the Lord’s Supper is among the things that “are allowed,” it becomes “wrong to the person who eats [meat],” who sings during the Lord’s Supper, if it “causes someone to stumble” (Romans 14:20).

It is honorable not to eat flesh [to sing during the Lord’ Supper], or to drink wine, or to do anything that causes someone to stumble. Hold to yourself the conviction you have before God. Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. The one who doubts is condemned if he eats [if he sings during the Lord’s Supper], because he lacks conviction; and everything which is not of conviction is sin (Romans 14:21-23).

Reviewed 2/5/99