What About Choirs and Soloists?
 
In both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 we see the singing authorized of God involves doing so to one another. Though in some circumstances the preacher might teach a lesson in song, wherein he reads or sings the words, and in some songs the harmony parts might require a portion of the group to sing while the others await there part, still as a general rule, the Scriptural church singing is congregational; a "one another activity."

But can we let others do it for us? Well, how about the other "one another" activities in the assembly? The Lord's Supper is a communion not only with Christ, but one another...a thing done individually, but with others, similar to the singing. May I allow one or more others to do so for me and be pleasing to God? For the longest there was an issue made about a denomination that permitted the members to eat the bread, but only a special man to drink the cup for the group. Was that right? Of course not.

Then there is the fellowship in giving. May a select few take care of financing the church's expenditures or ought each as he has prospered contribute? It is the latter. Even if only a widow's mite, each is to contribute.

Prayers are no different. One may lead, but we all pray. And that brings me back to singing. One may lead, but all of us are to participate. We are commanded by God to sing. I have no option to surrender that commandment to another.

Last, a word of warning about the use of soloists and choirs for entertainment. There is a great danger in that becoming the case. True, congregational singing can become that way, too, but wisdom says the likelihood is greater when the talented ones are singled out to do it.

 

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