Music in our local churches is a great way to focus on and worship God. With so many different “styles” and “terms” used we desire that the substance of our music align itself with the Word of God. We take a Biblical stand on music which is defined by the following guiding principles as we see them in the scriptures:
Music Should Be Scriptural (Colossians 3:16) – We want our music to be filled with Bible truths that are “teach and admonishing” us in great doctrinal truths and the lyrics are accurate according to the Word of God.
Music Should Be About Jesus (Colossians 3:16-17; Psalm 96:2) – We are to “let the word of Christ dwell in ‘us’ richly in all wisdom” and want our focus on the One who was crucified for our sins, buried, and rose again the third day and redeemed our souls from hell. “And whatsoever ‘we’ do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Music Should Be “to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16; Psalm 34:3) – We want our music not to be man-centered but God-centered. Man was created to Glorify God (Revelations 4:11) and that should show forth “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Music Should be Passionate (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19) – We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind; music is a way for us to involve all three of those and to passionately sing out to God from our heart “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” and “making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Music Should Be Reverent (Hebrews 12:28-29) – In all kinds of service to God we should sing and play music that shows we “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
Musical Instruments Should Be Used And Played Skillfully (Psalms 33:3; 150:4) – The Bible speaks of many different instruments used that fall into three categories: percussion (1 Chronicles 16:5), stringed (1 Kings 10:12), and wind (1 Chronicles 5:12). We should “play skillfully” and with “distinction in the sounds.” (1 Corinthians 14:7)
Music Should be Easy to Understand (1 Corinthians 14:9-12) – Music is to be “loud” (Psalm 98:4) but not blaring to the point the words can not be understood or the instruments distract from the message being taught and the praise being sung. Lyrics unheard are useless. It is our goal to “seek that ‘we’ may excel to the edifying of the church.”
Music Should be Sung Congregational & Individually (Psalm 149:1; Psalm 42:8) – We are to sing when we come together as a Church and praise His Name and we need to sing in our personal walk with the Lord.
Music Should be Blended (Ephesians 5:19) – Our music should be blended between three types of songs: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. It is also blended in its means, as stated previously, a way of teaching and admonishing (Colossians 3:16) or expressing joy (James 5:13) and giving thanks unto the Lord (Psalm 92:1-3). Also, as acts of praise (Acts 16:25) and a means of prayer (Psalm 72:20).
Conclusion: Music is from God, for God, about God, and to God. It is all about Him! We want the substance and style of our music to be Scriptural and honor God. Therefore, these principles are laid forth as guidelines to God honoring music in our local churches (this is a small summary of principles, there are many more verses).
Note: In the realm of music it is never our goal to look at, be like, or copy the world in their way of music but to follow Biblical guiding principles!
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