Congregational Singing

“The people in the pews have become spectators enjoying a show rather than worshipers entering into the spiritual activity of praising God and admonishing brethren.” – Ken Green in “Balancing Faith and Tradition: Congregational Singing” (In Biblical Insights, June 2004; not available online as far as I know)

Command, principle and example favor congregational singing as the normal way churches should sing in gathered worship. We in America, to a large degree, are far afield from what is normal singing according to the New Testament.

Command
The command to sing in Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colossians 3:16 is addressed to churches/congregations. In the immediate context of both texts, a plurality of individuals is commanded to “be filled” and “let dwell.” The participles further address this plurality (the congregation) – “speaking,” “singing,” “making melody,” “teaching,” “admonishing”. Taken together this indicates the participation of the whole church.

The terms “to yourselves” and “one another” (heautou) are reciprocal, reflexive pronouns. In their Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament, Dana and Mantey give Eph. 5:19 and Col. 3:16 as examples of these kind of pronouns (Toronto, ONT: The Macmillan Co., 1955, pp. 131-132). A reciprocal, reflexive pronoun is used “When a plural subject is represented as affected by an interchange of action signified by the verb...” If one individual or select group of singers are active and the rest of the church is passively listening, then there is no “interchange of action” as Dana and Mantey suggest, and the “speaking one to another” is not happening as Paul intended.

Example
We have an example of the disciples singing together that provides information about what they did. This is found in Matthew 26:30 (Cf. Mark 14:26). The apostles sang an hymn with Jesus after the institution of the Lord's Supper before going out to the Mount of Olives. The context and construction of the sentence leave no doubt that they sang together. They sang. They went out. The participle humnasantes (translated “they had sung an hymn”) is plural, as well as the 3rd person plural verb exelthon (translated “they went out”). The people who went out to the Mount of Olives are the same ones who had sung an hymn. This incident is alluded to in Hebrews 2:12.

Principle
In addition to both command and example, congregational singing is supported by a New Testament worship principle – New Covenant believers are “an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).” The spiritual sacrifices include “the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15).” Our worship is a personal spiritual sacrifice to God offered up by a priesthood of believers – not just a few believers who offer up worship for others!

I conclude that congregational singing is what the New Testament holds forth as the ideal. This is an area where I have heretofore been unwilling to draw a line of fellowship, but I feel it is an important biblical concept that shouldn't be overlooked or hooted at.

 

I agree, I think the Regular/United/Primitive/Old Regular Baptists are spot on with this. The old ways of Lining out songs and plain 'ol Congregational hymns have gone by the wayside, and it's not for the best. Take away the instruments, microphone, and the song leader in modern Churches and I bet the congregation would be barely making a whisper. It causes a lack of active participation in the service, which thereby affects our relationship with God. I think this is why God had the apostles sing as you mention.

When I have kids I want to be able to sing old hymns while I work out in the field :). I'd like to sing hymns in the office I work in too, but if I broke out into "Oh Death", "Wayfaring Stranger", or "And Am I Born to Die?" I reckon I'd be rather quickly put in a straight jacket and hauled off by security :p

 

My son's church has a band, and mostly modern songs. We don't feel at home there.
The words and tunes may be enjoyed as a performance, but there is nothing to remember and take away.
This is likely to have serious consequences for the children.
We remember catchy tunes and the words we learn when young. Modern songs are ephemeral.

 

When I was 15 in Little Bethany Primitive Baptist Church I stood in front of the congregation next to my Dad and attempted in my unworthy way to lead song service. I led song service accapella until the age of 57. To me the song we sang touched heart and soul and would not let go. These song moved those who sang and off times tears would roll down your cheeks as each one recalled the words that were sung... This wasn't entertainment this was a gut wrenching feeling deep in your bones... To me that is what is missing using in instruments in church... When I sing "Jesus Lover Of My Soul" I feel it in my entire body how much the Lord has done for me in my life and it moves me to praise God more and more... That's the way I see it... Didn't intend to step on any toes those are my feelings... Brother Glen

 

I know exactly what you mean Brother. It's hard to explain. Without instruments the song cuts deeper. It grabs ahold of your heart and just pulls on that thing.

The sound just gets deep in you. Without instruments there's nothing but the sound of a Saved soul yearning to be with his Lord in Heaven and weeping over his temporary Earthly separation from Heaven. The words of the song actually mean something. When you add instruments all of those feelings become diluted and we just focus on the beat it seems.

I don't know if what all I said is doctrinally correct or not. I'm not much good with explaining things like this. I don't go much for fancy doctrines, I just keep things simple, but that's my take on it. You and I certainly agree it seems

 

AMEN BROTHER!... You can't explain it unless you have experienced it... Sing Amazing Grace without the musical instruments... And feel the words John Newton penned so long ago in a congregational setting... Only those who have experienced it understand... IMHO... Brother Glen

 

Little Alexandra Elizabeth woke up and cried Friday morning at 5.
I got up for her, found her bottle was empty, and took her downstairs. She cuddled up on my lap as I sang lots of children's and Gospel songs.
I really enjoyed those two hours singing to our tiny treasure and the Lord. Even though she was soon asleep.
Would modern parents with modern worship get the same joy?
Her mother is a Polish Catholic who sings about the house.