The Worshiping Church: A Singing Church

Many people know that Johann Sebastian Bach was a great composer. He was also a devout Christian. At the end of each of his compositions Bach affixed the letters SDG. These did not stand for his name but for the Latin phrase Soli Deo Gloria, which means “For the glory of God Alone.”

Bach was right about the sacred value of music. Today’s reading shows that music played an important role in the early church’s worship and devotional life. Music was one of the ways the church communicated the message of Christ (v. 16); God’s people used it to teach and to reinforce what was taught. Music served the same function as preaching. The church employed music to teach and admonish.

It is unclear what differentiated psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs from one another. New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce speculated that psalms may have been drawn from the Old Testament Psalter, hymns might have been Christian canticles, and spiritual songs may be extemporaneous songs that were sung “in the Spirit.” We can at least say that the early church saw value in worshiping with different musical forms or styles. It seems likely that this diversity of styles was for the benefit of the worshipers. There is no biblical evidence to suggest that God prefers a particular musical style. His desire is that these things be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (v. 17).

Since the goal of sacred music is to teach and admonish, it is reasonable for us to expect to “get something” out of worship. But it seems unlikely that the church will be able to employ a style that pleases everyone. Patience and sensitivity are needed as the church sings to God and to one another.

Pray with Us

As we continue our prayers for Moody’s Pastoral Studies professors—Winfred Neely, Pamela MacRae, Eric Moore, and Chris Rappazini—praise God for their knowledge and love of the Word of God and commitment to teaching it to our students.

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.