And What Shall We Sing?

As mentioned in the previous blog, singing is an important portion of African American Baptist worship services. It is common, at least traditionally, for African American Baptist churches to have annual musicals. In these musicals, gospel music is the usual focus; though one of my former churches put on a portion of Handel's Messiah every December.

In the worship services I've attended over the years at African American Baptist churches, choirs usually sing up-to-date gospel and Urban Contemporary Christian music. Today, the writers are mostly Pentecostal/Charismatic and the lyrics often put forth false doctrines such as Word of Faith doctrines. Within the Pentecostal framework, there are many "Oneness" song writers and performers such as Marvin Sapp.

With this, if African American Baptist churches are to keep the commandments of biblical worship they must sing "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." Paul gave this commandment on two occasions (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). This is it. The Church of Jesus Christ is to sing these only, but the question begs: what are psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs?

I intend to answer the question in subsequent blog entries. Have a blessed Lord's Day!