Expert: Onaga Thomas - 7/14/2008

Question
Your reference to Eph 5:19 does, "to me", not refer to how a church service should be conducted.  If you read the scripture before and after that verse, theres is no mention to a meeting of believers. It is speaking how one should live their life on a personal level.

Answer
Thankyou for your question Billy

 While Eph 5:19 does not refer to a church service persay, it does refer to believers.  It says "speaking to one another is psalms, hyms, and spirtual songs, making melody in your heart unto the Lord" a related verse 1 Cor: 3-16 details the same approach as for as believers and the "music" they are authorized to use in worship to God.  The New Testament gives no authorization for musical instruments in worship to God, but says that we as believers can sing and make melody with our hearts unto God.  Now, Eph 5:19 does say speaking to "one another" that means the group of believers. Further more Paul was writing to the church that was in Ephesus, his letter is directed to the church, that is why Paul can say "speaking to on another" because he is addressing the body of Christ in Ephesus as a whole.  We as believers can sing unto God but we have no authorization for musical instruments.  To use instruments would be going outside new testement doctrine and therefore non-scriptural.  I hope that I have answered your question Billy and if you have any more questions feel free to ask, have a blessed day.

Onaga