Purpose of Music in the Church
By Paul Foltz
The Word of God presents only two purposes for music in the church:
- that of worshiping and praising God;
- that of edifying the saints.
There are well over 800 references to music and its use in the
Bible. Though music was used in many different settings
(on the shores of the Red Sea - Exodus 15, in the courts of the
king - I Samuel 16, at the dedication of the temple - II Chronicles
5, in an upper room - Mark 14, in a jail - Acts 16) its purpose
remained but these two.
We have no command or example from the Scriptures for music to
be used for any other purpose. Some well-known passages
can serve as examples and representative of others presented in
God's Word.
- II Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the
trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be
heard in praising and thanking the Lord ...
- Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
...
- Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord;
- Colossians 3:16 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.
There are many who believe that they ought to use their music
for purposes of evangelism. They are very sincere in their
belief, and truly feel that they are carrying on the work of the
Lord. While this, indeed, appears to be a noble cause, it
is in opposition to the purpose of Christian music presented in
the Bible.
Satan is alive and at work today. He is out to destroy the
testimony, and ultimately the work, of the church. He, many
times, will not come after us with a bold-faced lie. He
knows we would reject this out-right. He must be more subtle. He
is trying to do just this through music today. He is taking
what appears to be a noble, but un-Scriptural, cause (winning
the world through music) and using it for his purpose.
While the Bible gives no license to use music for evangelistic
purposes, there is evidence that when music is used properly,
God blesses by allowing it to be a witness to the unsaved.
- Psalm 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
and our tongue with singing: Then said they among the
heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
- Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed,
and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
We must resist every temptation to follow the Devil's plan.
We must remain true to the Lord and His Word. We must follow
God's plan and He will bless, as in the past.
II Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean
thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Used by permission
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