Singing To Unbelievers
Sometimes a question arises in the mind of some brethren as to the scripturality of singing a so-called "invitation song" for the encouragement of unbelievers in the assembly of the saints. The matter is indeed worth analyzing and merits attention as do all things religious. Let us examine the Word of God together and try to arrive at a logical (and scriptural) conclusion. It is advisable, of course, that the reader examine each scripture mentioned in this article.
First of all, there are two passages of scripture which are most often cited as the Christian's authority for singing and how it is to be done. These are Ephesians 5:19 ("speaking one to another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord") and Colossians 3:16 ("Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.") By these two passages we see that our singing is to be directed toward God. However, it is directed toward God in one way, and to those gathered in the assembly in another way. I Corinthians 10:31 teaches that Christians are to dedicate all actions (including eating and drinking) to the glory of God. I Peter 4:11 also emphasizes the fact that Christians are to glorify God through all speech and all actions. Thus, Christians are to praise God and glorify Him not just in the assembly of the saints; but, at all times.
The second direction in which the singing is to be directed is toward those present in the assembly. The purpose expressed in Colossians 3:16 is that of teaching and admonishing those present. The question arises, "Who are those present?" Hebrews 10:25 requires the presence of the Christians if at all possible. However, the presence of unbelievers is also possible and often probable. In the first Corinthian letter, the inspired writer refers to just such a situation when he refers to the presence of men "unlearned or unbelieving" when the church is assembled (I Corinthians 14:23). Thus, despite the lack of a direct command requiring unbelievers to be present in the assembly of the saints, the fact remains that they are often present.
In the 23rd through the 25th verses of I Corinthians 14, the presence of unbelievers is established. That they receive benefit is also established. However, one might argue that the benefits which the unbelievers derive from the service is merely through observation. Let us examine verse 26, keeping in mind the fact that the preceding verses concern the presence of unbelievers. In verse 26, the inspired writer sets forth a rhetorical question which he answers himself. "Let all things be done unto edifying." The word edifying seems to be the key to the passage. According to "Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary," edify means to instruct or improve spiritually.
It is impossible to argue that only the Christians are to be edified, for the entire 14th chapter of I Corinthians emphasizes that all things must be done so that the unbeliever can understand. The question arises, "How are we to edify?" "Webster" says one way is to instruct or teach religiously, or spiritually. Well, how is this to be accomplished? Colossians 3:16 says we are to teach and admonish by using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Only one conclusion can be drawn. I Corinthians 14 teaches that unbelievers will be present in the assembly of the saints and that things must be carried out in such a way that the unbeliever can understand and can be edified. Edify entails teaching, and Colossians 3:16 says we are to teach by means of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Therefore, if unbelievers are to be edified, or instructed, it is entirely scriptural that they be so instructed through singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
As brought out above, edify also includes spiritual improvement. What better way exists to teach and spiritually improve the unbeliever than to instruct him of his duty toward God and encourage him to fulfill it, whether through song or word of mouth?
Someone might still be confused by Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19 and say that these passages teach that our singing should be directed only to God. If this be true, how can Christians, much less unbelievers, be exhorted, instructed and encouraged through singing? Let us examine Colossians 3:23: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." A fanatical view would make it impossible for a Christian to even talk to another man because his speech would not be heartily directed to the Lord. However, the principle is simple and easily understood. The Christian's every action is not to be directed only to God and no one else; but, in our daily affairs, our actions, even toward other men, are to be dedicated to God and to the upbuilding of his kingdom. Common sense allows us to recognize the same principle in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Our singing, even when directed toward the edifying (or instructing) of others, is to be dedicated to God and the upbuilding of the Church.
Let us go one step further in our study of this matter. In I Thessalonians 2:13, the apostle, Paul, commends the brethren for certain actions. Paul praises the Thessalonians when he says that, before they became Christians, they received the Word of God not as the word of men, but as the Word of God. When Christians exhort and teach the sinner by singing an "invitation song," the invitation contained in the song is not originating from the people singing it; but from God. The Christian is merely acting as God's mouthpiece in encouraging the sinner to answer God's call.
In Hebrews 4:7, the inspired writer speaks of God using David as a mouthpiece, much as the Christian is used today. The writer quotes from Psalms 95:7,8; Hebrews 4:7, and the verses immediately preceding it, indicate that God is doing the talking through David. Therefore, the subject, "he," in verse 7 of Hebrews 4, refers to God. In Psalms 95:7,8 God speaks through David in a psalm: "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." David is the one doing the actual physical singing of the psalm to others, yet God is issuing the idea contained in David's psalm, just as He is the One issuing the invitation when Christians sing to unbelievers today. Let us not get the wrong idea, then, that Christians are issuing their own invitation. They are merely vocally issuing God's divine invitation to the sinner.
In conclusion, we trust that our study together has been a fruitful one. The practice of singing to unbelievers for instruction and encouragement is indeed a scriptural one. It is the Christian's obligation to teach whenever the occasion arises, and there are no exceptions. A important point to remember is that we can't merely isolate one or two passages of scripture and draw our own hasty conclusions. We must examine these scriptures it the context and in the light of the rest of God's inspired Word. Only then can we see the total picture and learn to fulfill our obligation to God, and it is the Christian's obligation to use every opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God. By encouraging others to accept God's invitation, we are giving God the highest praise possible.
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