“And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” - Acts 2:42
This verse is a summary of what life was like during the beginning stages of the church. Although not everything in a narrative is normative (not everything that happened in the book of Acts is intended to become the normal practice), there are still four things that their Christian community could be boiled down to. I think these principles define what Christian community within a local church is to look like today as well. They’re simple and basic. I love that. Our faith is not super complicated. It’s a simple faith that can be understood and practiced by anyone in any context.
But I also noticed that music is not in the list. I only bring this up because I’m preparing to be a worship leader, someone who’s job is to lead the church’s musical worship. And because I think that because we’re a part of such a musical culture music has, in some minds, become a cornerstone of Christian practice - as if we couldn’t have church without music. Now I’m not in any way against music in the church. Just look at Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 where Paul commands us to sing and look at Israel’s worship - music was a huge part of it. The biggest book of the Bible is a book of songs! So I’m certainly not against music in the church. But what I do believe is that it is not a foundational or a core element, which I think many have errantly assumed. I’ve seen many who plan their services (or at least the musical part of it) around songs instead of Scripture. I’ve seen some who try to plan out a “flow” based on emotion dictated by the music. I’ve seen some who put more emphasis and value on the musical part of the service rather than the preaching or the Lord’s Supper or fellowship with the saints. So here’s my point: although music should be a part of our Christian community, it must be subservient to the most important elements, namely the Word of God, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer.
Let’s unpack this a little bit:
“apostles teaching” - this is the Word of God. Our songs should be filled with the Word of God and they should teach the Word of God. This is a no-brainer.
“the fellowship” - our songs should be a part of our community fellowship with one another. Ephesians 5:19 commands us to address one another in Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Colossians 3:16 commands us to teach and admonish one another in singing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Musical worship is not a one-on-one thing between you and God. Yes, it is directed to God (as is also stated in these verses), but it also directed to each other for our edification.
“the breaking of bread” - this refers to the Lord’s Supper, but basically means a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and his inauguration of the New Covenant. Our songs should be centered around Christ and his work on the cross. Our faith is nothing without Christ. He made a way for us to approach the almighty God. Our songs should be about Christ and sung with the knowledge that we are able to sing these songs only because of his substutionary death for us that it possible to approach God.
“the prayers” - I’ve heard it said that sacred music is prayer. Our songs are prayers set to music. There shouldn’t be a difference in our minds between “the song time” and “the prayer time.” Prayer is a huge part of our Christian faith and it should not be neglected in our gatherings either.
This verse is a summary of what life was like during the beginning stages of the church. Although not everything in a narrative is normative (not everything that happened in the book of Acts is intended to become the normal practice), there are still four things that their Christian community could be boiled down to. I think these principles define what Christian community within a local church is to look like today as well. They’re simple and basic. I love that. Our faith is not super complicated. It’s a simple faith that can be understood and practiced by anyone in any context.
But I also noticed that music is not in the list. I only bring this up because I’m preparing to be a worship leader, someone who’s job is to lead the church’s musical worship. And because I think that because we’re a part of such a musical culture music has, in some minds, become a cornerstone of Christian practice - as if we couldn’t have church without music. Now I’m not in any way against music in the church. Just look at Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 where Paul commands us to sing and look at Israel’s worship - music was a huge part of it. The biggest book of the Bible is a book of songs! So I’m certainly not against music in the church. But what I do believe is that it is not a foundational or a core element, which I think many have errantly assumed. I’ve seen many who plan their services (or at least the musical part of it) around songs instead of Scripture. I’ve seen some who try to plan out a “flow” based on emotion dictated by the music. I’ve seen some who put more emphasis and value on the musical part of the service rather than the preaching or the Lord’s Supper or fellowship with the saints. So here’s my point: although music should be a part of our Christian community, it must be subservient to the most important elements, namely the Word of God, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer.
Let’s unpack this a little bit:
“apostles teaching” - this is the Word of God. Our songs should be filled with the Word of God and they should teach the Word of God. This is a no-brainer.
“the fellowship” - our songs should be a part of our community fellowship with one another. Ephesians 5:19 commands us to address one another in Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Colossians 3:16 commands us to teach and admonish one another in singing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Musical worship is not a one-on-one thing between you and God. Yes, it is directed to God (as is also stated in these verses), but it also directed to each other for our edification.
“the breaking of bread” - this refers to the Lord’s Supper, but basically means a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and his inauguration of the New Covenant. Our songs should be centered around Christ and his work on the cross. Our faith is nothing without Christ. He made a way for us to approach the almighty God. Our songs should be about Christ and sung with the knowledge that we are able to sing these songs only because of his substutionary death for us that it possible to approach God.
“the prayers” - I’ve heard it said that sacred music is prayer. Our songs are prayers set to music. There shouldn’t be a difference in our minds between “the song time” and “the prayer time.” Prayer is a huge part of our Christian faith and it should not be neglected in our gatherings either.
