The following scriptures are related to singing in the church.  They were written to churches in the first century.

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19 -NKJV)

“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 you hearts to the Lord.”  (Colossians 3:16 -NKJV)

“…I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”  (1 Corinthians 14:15 -NKJV)

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”  (Romans 13:15)

From these scriptures, music has its place and serves a purpose in the worship of the church.  But, what kind of music is authorized from these scriptures?  Music can be vocal, instrumental, or both.  We conclude that God specified vocal music – singing.  Since “singing” is specific, it excludes all other kinds of music.  We cannot find any other scripture (after the church was established in Acts 2) to rely upon except those listed above,

We (men), cannot add to or change what God has specified.  We have many examples in the Bible where God specified one thing but man either added to it or changed it to their own peril.

From the above scriptures, we learn the purpose of singing.  Scriptural singing will teach and admonish one another, and it will give praise and thanksgiving to God.  Singing in worship may be pleasing to our ears, but the scriptures do not teach that singing is for entertainment.

From the scriptures above, the manner of singing is made clear.  We are (1) to sing with our lips, (2) to sing songs to God based upon the words of the Bible, (3) to have grace in our hearts, and (4) have an understanding of the sentiments of the songs.  Instruments of music cannot teach, cannot admonish, and cannot “speak.”  The tune or melody of a song cannot do these things.

From the scriptures above, the kinds of songs are specified - psalms, hymns and spiritual songs which are focused on Scriptures.  Songs for worship excludes the “popular”, “patriotic”, and “romantic” songs of our day which can have a place in our personal lives, but not in our worship.

For a more through study of the kind of music authorized in a New Testament church, go to the Sermons Outlines page.

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