Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

A. Singing is designed as a means of praising God. (Acts 16:25) (cf. Heb. 13:15)

B. Singing is also designed as a means by which Christians edify one another.

1. "speaking to yourselves" (Eph. 5:19
)
2. "teaching and admonishing" (Col. 3:16)

A. To God

1. "unto God" (Acts 16:25
)
2. "unto thy name" (Rom. 15:9)

3. "to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

B. The Manner


1. "with the spirit" (I Cor. 14:15
)
2. "with understanding" (I Cor. 14:15
)
3. "melody in your heart" (Eph. 5:19
)
4. "with grace in your hearts" (Col. 3:16)

A. "psalms" - from psalmos, referring to Old Testament psalms.

B. "hymns" - from hymnos, probably referring to compositions of early Christians.

C. "songs" - from ode, a broad term referring to songs in general but qualified by the 
adjective "spiritual." 


A. This is the only music authorized by God in Christian worship. There is no Biblical 
authority for using mechanical instruments. (Col. 3:17)

B. "Melody" is to be made "in the heart." (Eph. 5:19) This cannot be done on an 
instrument. (cf. Acts 17:25)

C. "Grace" is to come from within the "heart." (Col. 3:16) This cannot be 
accomplished on an instrument. 


A. The New Testament does not authorize "playing" in worship.

B. We are to "walk by faith." (II Cor. 5:7) However, faith comes from God's word. 
(Rom. 10:17) Hence, playing instruments in worship cannot be done by faith.

C. Worship must be according to "truth." (Jn.4:24) The apostles were guided "into all truth." (Jn. 16:13) However, the apostles said nothing about playing instruments in 
worship.

D. The use of mechanical instruments in Christian worship is of human origin, hence, 
is an addition to God's word which is sinful. (Rev. 22:18,19) (cf. II Jn. 9)

E. The use of instruments was foreign to Christian worship until the 7th century A.D. 
and was not widely accepted for hundreds of years thereafter.

F. Even many leaders of the Protestant Reformation were opposed to using 
mechanical instruments in worship.