1 Timothy 3:16

I grew up with two types of music, country and western. As a teenager, I learned from some church people that there was also the devil’s music. I cannot define the devil’s music, but I know it has something to do with the beat and the rhythm. I am rhythm defective; I cannot keep time to any beat. I share this because we know that the early church had music. There are no complete descriptions of the role music played in the early church. However, music has been a part of everything humanity has ever done throughout history and the church is no exception.

Paul, in verse 16, gives us the words to a Christian song from the early church. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, depending on your point of view, we do not have any way to know at what speed, rhythm or melody that the church sung this song to. What Paul gives us is not the music of the song but the words. This song is an example of how the early church placed creeds and statements of belief into the form of music.

Paul believed godliness sprung from great mystery, but in himself, Jesus Christ completely revealed that mystery. This song states the outline of that revelation. Jesus, the eternal Son of God existed in spirit, but became visible through his incarnation in human flesh. The Holy Spirit vindicated Christ’s claim to be the Son of God through his miracles and by his resurrection. Angels watched over him throughout his time on earth, and when He had finished His work, they took him up in glory. The church preached the good news of salvation throughout the world and the world believed.

The words of this song are beautiful, but when defining Christian music by the instruments used and the speed and rhythm of the beat it is of no help at all. Perhaps, some in the church have gotten it wrong. God does not define Christian music by the sound; He defines it by the message.