After mentioning that we all should examine what goes on in our churches to see if it is scripturally sound, I thought I would make that the subject of my previous post and the next few following posts. This post will attempt to cover singing.

Romans 15:9 KJV And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

Ephesians 5:19 KJV Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 KJV 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.

I believe both a cappella and singing with musical instruments are appropriate during services. While there is no verse in the New Testament which directly says, use musical instruments while singing, there are ample verses of their use in the Old Testament. Here the Church of Christ denomination is following the traditions of man rather than exercising discernment. Old Testament verses include:

Exodus 15:20 KJV And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

1 Chronicles 13:8 KJV And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

These are just a few. I think something of interesting note in mentioned earlier in Col. 3:16 is: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns.

I think the intent here is that we should all be active in what is sung in our churches. Many churches such as the one I attend use a standard hymnal and the songs don’t seem to change much from Sunday to Sunday. Isn’t Col. 3:16 expecting more? Is it hoped we should write new songs, person specific songs, educational songs?

Keep in mind singing, giving, and praying need not be limited to the interior of churches.