Playing the Gospel on Sunday Afternoon in Worship
The "Gospel" refers to the good tidings of great joy for all people, foretold in the Old Testament and preached by Christ [1]. It is the power of God unto salvation and brings life and immortality to light [1]. The question of "playing the Gospel" in worship on a Sunday afternoon touches upon various interpretations of Christian practice, particularly concerning the role of music and the nature of worship itself.
Many traditions emphasize that worship should be centered on the Word of God. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to speak "as one conveying the words of God" [2]. Similarly, Colossians 3:16 instructs believers to "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" [4]. This suggests that music in worship should be an expression of the indwelling Word of Christ, serving to teach, admonish, and give thanks [4, 10]. John Calvin, a key figure in Reformed theology, extensively referenced biblical passages related to Christ's teachings and the spread of the Gospel, underscoring the centrality of the divine message [7]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, likewise linked singing "gospel psalms" to living "gospel lives" and hearing God's word [8].
The concept of "playing the Gospel" could be interpreted as the musical presentation of the Gospel message. This aligns with the idea that the Holy Spirit communicates miraculous gifts, including those for the edification of the Church, upon the preaching of the Gospel [5]. The act of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is seen as a fitting response to God's saving grace and a means by which the body of Christ is built up [10]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, noted that hearing Christ "in his Gospel, as speaking by his ministers" is crucial, and this hearing should be accompanied by attention, reverence, and practice [9].
However, the phrase "playing the Gospel" might also imply a performance or a less formal presentation of the Gospel message outside of a traditional sermon. While the Bible encourages various forms of expression in worship, including singing and making music [4, 10], the primary emphasis in many traditions remains on the spoken proclamation of the Word. The Gospel is described as being "preached" [1, 3], and ministers have a stewardship to preach it [1]. Augustine of Hippo emphasized Christ as "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life," highlighting the foundational nature of Christ's person and teaching [6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:11 (BSB) — If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
- Acts “Acts 14:7 (Tyndale) — and there preached the gospell.”
- Colossians “Colossians 3:16 (BSB) — Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Isa 35:4-6; Joe 2:28,29. Of different kinds -- 1Co 12:4-6. Enumerated -- 1Co 12:8-10,28; 14:1. Christ was endued with -- Mt 12:28. Poured out on the day of Pentecost -- Ac 2:1-4. Communicated Upon the preaching of the gospel. -- Ac 10:44-46. By the laying on of the Apostles' hands. -- Ac 8:17,18; 19:6. For the confirmation of the gospel. -- Mr 16:20; Ac 14:3; Ro 15:19; Heb 2:4. For the edification of the Church. -- 1Co 12:7; 14:12,13. Dispensed according to his sovereign will -- 1Co 12:11. Were to be sought after -- 1”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, JOHN XIV. 6, "I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE." (part 4): stoutly outside the way. Let this suffice for you, Beloved. Turn we to the Lord, etc.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 24:14 24:24 24:24 24:30 24:45 25:4 25:21 25:21 25:23 25:29 25:29 25:32 25:34 25:34 25:34 25:34 25:40 25:41 25:41 26:11 26:26 26:26 26:26 26:26 26:38 26:39 26:53 26:75 27:3-4 27:46 27:52 27:66 28:5 28:6 28:18 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:19 28:19-20 28:20 28:20 28:20 28:20 28:20 Mark 1:4 1:4 1:10 1:14 3:28 5:9 6:13 6:15 8:38 9:24 9:43 10:9 10:30 11:24 12:18 13:32 14:22 15:28 16:9 16:15 16:15 16:16 16:16 16:19 16:20 Luke 1:6 1:15 1:19 1:26 1:32 1:32 1:33 1:34 1:35 1:43 1:55 1:72 1:74-75 1:77 1:79 2:34 2:37 2:52 3:3 3:3 3:3 3:8 3:14 3:”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 95:7: The latter part of this psalm, which begins in the middle of a verse, is an exhortation to those who sing gospel psalms to live gospel lives, and to hear the voice of God's word; otherwise, how can they expect that he should hear the voice of their prayers and praises? Observe, I. The duty required of all those that are the people of Christ's pasture and the sheep of his hand. He expects that they hear his voice, for he has said, My sheep hear my voice, Joh 10:27. We are his people, say they. Are you so? Then hear his voice. If you call him Master, or Lord, then d”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:34: Blessed is the man that heareth me,.... Christ in his Gospel, as speaking by his ministers; for hearing them is hearing him, Luk 10:16; they have their commission from him; are his ambassadors, and represent him; receive their gifts from him; speak according to his mind and will, revealed in his word, and preach him himself. This shows with what attention and reverence the Gospel should be heard; what credit should be given unto it; how it ought to be put in practice; this accounts for the efficacy of it on the souls of men, it being no other than the word of Christ”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:19: 5:19-20 Lives filled with the Holy Spirit will be expressed in singing . . . and making music (Col 3:16-17). Joyful praise, worship, and giving thanks are fitting responses to God’s saving grace. • among yourselves: Singing together builds up the body of Christ. • The Lord hears the music in our hearts. • in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is our mediator and representative as we approach God (cp. John 14:13-14; 16:23-27; Rev 22:4).”