BIBLICAL MUSIC IN CHURCH WORSHIP

By

Shelby G. Floyd

 

The word “music” is a generic term and includes vocal and instrumental music. It occurs only one time in the New Testament. When the prodigal son returned home he heard “music (Grk-sumphonia), and dancing” (Luke 15:25). “Music” is generic and includes all kinds of musical sounds. This has no reference to a worship service, but to social activities in the home. If this one use of the word music authorizes instrumental music in worship to God, then it follows that dancing, killing the fatted calf, etc., would be included also. Since this is the only New Testament passage which uses the generic term music, and since it does not authorize instrumental music in worship, then instrumental music in worship is not to be found in this passage. And therefore instrumental music in worship is not to be found in the New Testament! Continue reading “BIBLICAL MUSIC IN CHURCH WORSHIP”

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP

By

Shelby G. Floyd

The church that Jesus said He would build upon the Rock of His Divinity (Matthew 16:13-19), worshiped in spirit and truth: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24), and worshiped in music with “singing and making melody in the heart” during the apostolic period (33-100 A D). The early Christians came from many different backgrounds that used the instruments in their worship—worship connected to idolatry and immoral practices, like that of the Israelite’s at the foot of Sinai—“the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (1 Corinthians 10:7; Exodus 32:6). But these early Christians did not adopt this kind of music! Why? Continue reading “INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP”