By
Shelby G. Floyd
In our worship to God, we must only do that which God has authorized in his word. (Matthew 15:9). Singing is authorized in worship to God, but instrumental music is not. God has commanded us to sing in our worship which not only glorifies him, but it edifies mankind. Concerning the music of the church Paul wrote, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but 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.” (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Speaking to One Another in Singing
In singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, the worshipers are actually speaking to each other. The term speaking indicates that one is to use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts. Therefore, in singing, the worshiper is conversing with other worshipers through the avenue of song.
Teaching and Admonishing One Another in Singing
The parallel reading in the book of Colossians goes one step further and indicates that in our singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we not only speak one to another, but we teach and admonish one another. “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.” (Colossians 3:16).
Performance and Silent Audience Worship
Today, in many churches the worship through the avenue of music has turned into special quartets, loud instruments, drums, and worldly rock concerts! Therefore, it has become performance worship of the few and silent audience worship for the rest of the people. When Paul said to the Ephesians “speaking to yourselves” he commanded each Christian to sing and take part in the speaking, teaching, and admonishing of each other. Yourselves is a reflexive pronoun used in this case as a reciprocal pronoun. Therefore, the Ephesians were to sing to each other. This excludes the type of singing which entertains while others sit and listen.
The Nature of the Songs to Sing
Paul not only specifies the kind of music the church is to have in worship, which is singing, but he also specifies the nature of the songs. The church is to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Therefore, this excludes every other kind of song. A psalm is a pious song such as the Psalms of David set to music. (Cf. Thayer, page 675). A hymn is a sacred song sung in praise of God. (cf. Thayer, page 637). Singing spiritual songs is a general reference to any religious ode or song of a spiritual nature.
The Law of Exclusion
In worship to God, the only kind of music which is authorized is singing
and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. When Paul specified to sing and make melody, he excluded every other kind of music. This is the law of Exclusion. *
Many acts of worship under Old Testament worship have not been brought over into New Testament worship. The question is not WAS instrumental music scriptural but IS it scriptural today! This chart illustrates the concept accurately! A Cappella, singing in the style of the New Testament church is scriptural today!
*I wrote these words on the music of the church on October 26, 1975, almost fifty years ago. I was 38 years old. And today I believe, practice, and preach the same doctrine. The truth of God does not change!
Copyright © 2024 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd, Minister, Heartland Church of Christ, 1693 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana 46142