PCL Music for the Church Lesson 1

Music in the New
Testament Church
What does the Bible tell us?
Ptr. Jerry F. Smith, Th.D.
Ministry Essentials Diploma Program
Faith Missionary Church & Bible Institute
Gruetli-Laager, TN, USA
jerryfranksmith@gmail.com

What do we see in churches today?
Music can often lead to division

That is exactly what the Devil wants
cf. James 3:14-16
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,
glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work.

But that is not what GOD has in mind
Ephesians 4:3
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace.
GOD is not the author of confusion in church
(1 Corinthians 14:33)

What does GOD say
about music in the New
Testament Church
music : sounds produced by singing or musical instruments

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody
in your heart to the Lord;
Two key verses in the New Testament
referring to music among God’s people

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.
Two key verses

God has given us specific parameters for
music in the church
1. The will of the Lord
2. Filled with the Spirit
3. The word of Christ
4. Teaching and admonishing
5. Sing
6. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual
songs
7. Making melody in the heart

1. The will of the Lord
music in the church

Before music, we are told to seek to
understand what the will of the Lord is
Ephesians 5:17
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is.
How do we know what the will of the Lord is?

There must be some way of discerning [proving]
God’s will for music in the church
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Through the word of God:
2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.

Prior to arriving at our key verses regarding music n
the church (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), there are
several exhortations
Ephesians 5:1-17 Follow God as dear children (v1); Walk in
love (v2); Remove uncleanness (v3); Walk as children of
light (v8); Proving what is acceptable to the Lord (v9); No
fellowship with works of darkness (v11); Walk circumspectly
(15); Redeeming the time (v16); Understand God’s will
(v17).

Prior to arriving at our key verses regarding music n
the church (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), there are
several exhortations
Colossians 3:1-15 Seek that which is above (v1); Set your
affections above (v2); Mortify your members (v5); Put off
old man and put on the new (v8-10,12); Forgiving (v13); Put
on love (v14); Peace of God rule and be thankful (v15).
These verses alone would require much study, but keep in
mind, they are the background before we get to music.

Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are
not in isolation
Things might be different if in this matter of music
we were all walking in these expressions of
God’s will for us.

2. Filled with the Spirit
music in the church

Just before we proceed to music, we
are told to be filled with the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit;
If we are truly going to make music according to the will of
God, we must be filled with the Spirit of God.

What is it to be filled with the Spirit?
Being controlled by the Spirit instead of the flesh (Ephesians
5:18):
Yielding to the leading of God (e.g. Let us…; Put on…; Be ye…; etc.) •
Not yielding to the flesh (cf. Romans 6:12-13) • Yielding to the Holy
Spirit’s leading in the word of God (Ephesians 5:19-21) • Not
quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:16) • Not grieving the
Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) • Learning and growing (Ephesians
5:17, 1 Corinthians 2:13) • Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,25)

3. The word of Christ
music in the church
Being filled with the Spirit leads to the word
of Christ dwelling in us

Colossians 3:16
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing

Whatever we read next should flow from
an abundance of the word of Christ
What is commanded next should be according to
the Scriptures.
Music should flow from the word of God

4. Teaching and
admonishing
music in the church
From the richness of the word of Christ
dwelling in us

Teaching and admonishing one another
Colossians 3:16
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the Lord.
GOD has given us parameters for music in the church: to teach
and admonish [warn] one another (to edify)

Meant to edify one another
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.
Biblically and theologically sound music
Music should edify (1 Corinthians 14:26) with focus on the words
The idea is that even singing, the believer can grow!

Speaking to yourselves...
The idea is to communicate intelligibly.
To communicate intelligibly is to communicate a
message.
The emphasis on teaching and admonition in music, in
these passages restricts emphasis on feelings

Music is to be clear and understood
cf. 1 Corinthians 14:7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or
harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how
shall it be known what is piped or harped? [Paul speaking on the
subject of tongues in the church.]
cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15b
...I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also.

Some modern Christian music in the
church is questionable when it comes to
meeting these requirements.
Word of Christ, teaching, admonishing,
theologically sound, doctrinal, edifying, clear,
understandable

Let’s check out a few CCM (Contemporary Christian Music)
song lyrics, to see if they are doctrinally sound or
if they contain any doctrine (teaching).
1. “I COULD SING OF YOUR LOVE FOREVER” by Hillsong
2. “HERE I AM TO WORSHIP” by Hillsong
3. “BLESSED BE YOUR NAME” by Matt Redman
4. “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE” by Planetshakers

[Verse 1]
Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing of
Of when Your love came down
[Chorus:]
I could sing of Your love forever
(x4)

1.1. Questions & Answers
Question 1: How many references to “I” can be observed in the
lyrics of this song?
Answer 1: A total of fourteen.
Question 2: How many references to “you” or “yours” can be
observed in the lyrics of this song?
Answer 2: A total of eleven.
Question 3: Who is “you” or “your” a reference to?
Answer 3: “You” or “your” is not clearly defined within the lyrics of
the song.

Question 4: Who do the lyrics of this song exalt?
Answer 4: “I WILL open up my heart” / “I AM happy to be in the truth” / “I
WILL daily lift my hands” / “I WILL always sing of…” / “I COULD sing of…”
/ “I FEEL like dancing.” Compare with Galatians 6:14.
Question 5: Where are the references to the God of the Bible or Jesus
Christ His Son in the lyrics?
Answer 5: There are NO references to the God of the Bible or His Son
Jesus Christ.
Question 6: Who is being praised in the lyrics of this song?
Answer 6: Neither the God of the Bible nor Jesus Christ His Son are
clearly being exalted in the lyrics of this song.

[Verse 1]
Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing of
Of when Your love came down
[Chorus:]
I could sing of Your love forever
(x4)
VAGUE / SELF-CENTERED
/ FEELS GOOD
(Where is the word, the teaching, the admonishing?)

1 Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Open my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore
You
Hope of a life spent with You
[Chorus]
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my
God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

Question 1: Who are “You” and “you’re my God” referring to in the lyrics of this
song?
Answer 1: It is not specifically stated in the lyrics. They are unclear references.
Question 2: Who is “the light of the world” a reference to in the lyrics of this
song?
Answer 2: Who the “light of the world” is, is not specifically stated in the lyrics
of this song which makes it an unclear reference.
Question 3: Who “stepped down into darkness” in the lyrics of this song?
Answer 3: Who “stepped down into darkness” is not specifically stated in the
lyrics of this song, which makes it an unclear reference.

Question 4: Who is “open my eyes” addressed to in the lyrics of this song?
Answer: Who “opened my eyes” is not specifically stated in the lyrics of this song,
making it an unclear reference.
Question 5: Whose “beauty” is referenced in the lyrics of this song?
Answer: Whose “beauty” is not specifically stated in the lyrics of this song, making
it an unclear reference.
Question 6: Who is “lovely, worthy, wonderful to me, king ; who is glorious, who
came to earth, who became poor” in the lyrics of this song?
Answer: Who is “lovely, worthy, wonderful to me, king ; who is glorious, who came
to earth, who became poor” is not specifically referenced in the lyrics of this song,

1 Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Open my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore
You
Hope of a life spent with You
[Chorus]
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my
God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
VAGUE / FEELS GOOD

1 Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of
abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
[Chorus]
Blessed be the name of the
Lord
Blessed be the name of the
Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Question 1: Who is this song honoring?
Answer 1: “The Lord,” but who is this “Lord” if there is no theological or
scriptural basis to know who this “Lord” is?
Question 2: Do the lyrics of this song glorify the name of the Lord?
Answer 2: Since any reference to who this Lord is, is absent, it does not glorify
the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord reflects his attributes.
Question 3: How does one know if this song exalts the God of the Bible and
Jesus Christ His Son?
Answer 3: Who is being exalted is not clear. In the absence of scriptural or
doctrinal reference, the “exaltee” can be any “Lord” that one imagines Him to be.

abundance flow
[Chorus]
Blessed be the name of the Lord

abundance flow
[Chorus]
VAGUE / FEELS GOOD

1 Through You I can do anything
I can do all things
'Cause it's You who gives me strength
Nothing is impossible
Through You blind eyes are open
Strongholds are broken
I am living by faith
I believe, I believe
I believe, I believe in you
Lord, I believe, I believe

Question 1: Who is “you” addressed to in the lyrics of this song?
Answer: There is one reference to “Lord” in (approx.) 52 lines, but
22 references to “you”. Are we sure who “You” is?
Question 2: Who is “Lord” a reference to in the lyrics of this song?
Answer: It is not specifically stated in the lyrics of this song,
Question 3: How many references to “I” are in the lyrics of this
song?
Answer: There are 44 references to “I”.

Through You I can do anything
I can do all things

Question 4: Who does this song exalt?
Answer: One reference to an unclear “Lord,” 22 references to
“You,” and 44 references to “I.”
Question 5: What is the apparent verse this song is based
on?
Answer: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me.” So, why not, “Through Christ, I can
do anything”? It is also only one syllable.

Through You I can do anything
I can do all things
VAGUE / FEELS GOOD / “I”
-CENTRIC

Lovers of self and pleasure
cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-4
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of
God;

Sounds good, feels good, seems
Christian…
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.
Denying the power : The power of God
cf. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and
sharper than any twoedged sword...

Some songs lead us into speaking untruths or making
false vows to the Lord
E.g. The song, “Lord, I give you my heart” (Hillsong)
That is why it is safer to sing scriptural, doctrinal glories to
God and His Son Jesus Christ rather than exalt ourselves
(don’t forget Peter, Mt 26:34; don’t forget Paul, Ro 7:24)
This is my desire, to honor you
Lord, with all my heart I worship you
All I have within me, I give you praise
All that I adore is in you.
Lord, I give you my heart, ...my soul
I live for you alone, every breath…
Every moment I’m awake
Lord have your way with me.

Beware of “the One” in many modern Bible versions that
is also found in modern Christian songs:
“The One” instead of God or Jesus Christ (e.g. John 3:13)
“The One” is vague. Who is “the One”?
Mystery religions call “the One” the Great Mother God (Riplinger
2005); cf. Revelation 17:5
New Age religions subtly refer to Lucifer / Satan as “the One”
(Barnett 1992, Riplinger 2005)

Some songs introduce subtle false teaching and bad
doctrine in a modern-day CCM song:
E.g. The song, "So Will I (100 Billion X)" (Hillsong, 2017)
[Stanza 4]
And as You speak
A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath
Evolving in pursuit of what You said
If it all reveals Your nature so will I"
Also: Once again, “You,” but no Christ...

Many contemporary Christian artists intentionally
neglect Christ to cater to the world
Read several quotes from some famous artists here:
Bible guidelines for Christian music. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.av1611.org/cqguide.html
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee
behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou
savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be
of men.

Songs (psalms) should be sung to edify one
another
1 Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one
of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying.
How do we build each other up in the faith?

By the word of God
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”
“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6)

Word of Christ in us first
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.
Biblically and theologically sound music
Music should edify (1 Corinthians 14:26) with focus on the words
The idea is that even singing, believers can grow!

Clear with understanding
1 Corinthians 14:8,15
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle?
15 ...I will sing with the understanding also.
The previous music was unclear and uncertain.
Much of modern Christian music is.

Let’s check out a couple of (old) hymns
1. “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote
(1797-1874)
2. “Holy, holy, holy!” by Reginald Heber (1826)

1. "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" by Edward Mote
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and
righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet
sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
(Eph 1:7, Phi 3:9, Scriptural; Doctrine of
Atonement and Justification; teaches);
I dare not trust the sweetest frame (Phi
3:1-8, Scriptural; admonishes),
But wholly lean on Jesus' name (Ac 4:12,
Scriptural; Christ alone).
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand (cf.
Psalm 95:1);
All other ground is sinking sand (warns).
sound (Doctrine of Second Coming),
Oh, may I then in Him be found (Phi 3:9,
Scriptural; admonishes),
Clothed in His righteousness alone (cf. Isa
61:10, Doctrine of Justification; teaches),
Faultless to stand before the throne (cf. 1
Joh 4:7)!

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
(Eph1:7, Phi 3:9, Scriptural; Doctrine of
Atonement and Justification; teaches);
I dare not trust the sweetest frame (Phi
3:1-8, Scriptural; admonishes),
But wholly lean on Jesus' name (Ac 4:12,
Scriptural; Christ alone).
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand (cf.
Psalm 95:1);
All other ground is sinking sand (warns).
sound (Doctrine of Second Coming),
Oh, may I then in Him be found (Phi 3:9,
Scriptural; admonishes),
Clothed in His righteousness alone (cf. Isa
61:10, Doctrine of Justification; teaches),
Faultless to stand before the throne (cf. 1
Joh 4:7)!
CLEAR / SCRIPTURAL /
DOCTRINAL / EDIFYING

2. “Holy, holy, holy!” by Reginald Heber
1 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God
Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall
rise to Thee.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and
mighty!
God in three persons, blessed
Trinity!
3 Holy, Holy, Holy! though the
darkness hide Thee,
though the eye made blind by sin
Thy glory may not see,
only Thou art holy; there is none
beside Thee,
perfect in pow'r, in love, and purity.

Almighty! (Isa 6:3, Scriptural; Doctrine
of Holiness; Attrib of God; warns us)
rise to Thee.
mighty! (Declares the Attrib of God)
Trinity! (Doctrine of Triuness)
darkness hide Thee,
Though they eye of sinful man Thy
glory may not see, (Doctrine of Man
and Sin; teaches)
beside Thee, (Doctrine of God)
(Doctrine of God)

Almighty! (Isa 6:3, Scriptural; Doctrine
of Holiness; Attrib of God; warns us)
rise to Thee.
mighty! (Declares the Attrib of God)
Trinity! (Doctrine of Triuness)
darkness hide Thee,
Though they eye of sinful man Thy
glory may not see, (Doctrine of Man
and Sin; teaches)
beside Thee, (Doctrine of God)
(Doctrine of God)
CLEAR / SCRIPTURAL /
DOCTRINAL / EDIFYING

Christians filled with the Spirit seek the
word (cf. Ephesians 5:18-19)
Colossians 3:16
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing

God has given the church people who can
discern good and evil
Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full
age, even those who by reason of use have their
senses exercised to discern both good and evil
They are called elders. Consider what they say
because they look after your souls (Hebrews 10:17).

...will not endure sound doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears;
It seems some modern Christian music is a step
toward fulfilling this prophecy.

The spiritually mature judge all things
1 Corinthians 2:15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he
himself is judged of no man.
They are called elders. Consider what they say
because they look after your souls (Hebrews 10:17).

PCL Music for the Church Lesson 1

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