Featured Ephesian 5:18-19 Not saved if you dont sing?

Whew... your title had me concerned for a second

I've heard similar things before and I think the problem is more that the pastor is trying to make some grand impressive statement that is in reality really stupid.

The verse pretty plainly says that it's "to yourselves" and "in your heart." This verse has nothing to do with in a church service but speaks about how the overflowing joy we should have from being satisfied in the Lord and filled with the Spirit (not in some charismatic sense) causes us to have that internal monologue (perhaps dialogue with God?) where we are praising God and worshiping Him.

At least that's my understanding.

 

I see the context as saying a Spirit-filled person will gladly sing. I wouldn't go so far as to say a person that doesn't sing in church is not saved. If someone regularly attends yet NEVER sings in church I would wonder about the reasons they don't participate.

Agree with you that the context is Spirit-filled and not indwelt by the Spirit.

 

I have been in a small church that did not preach that, but the Pastor was zealous and tried to get everyone involved in the singing in the worship service, so he would say something like, "You know the only kind of bird that doesn't sing is the buzzard." My sons thought that was corny (they had other words that I am not hip enough to remember), but that was the gist of it. He would never say someone was not saved, however, if they did not sing. That would be like saying everyone should have the same talents. I don't sing specials or in the choir, but I do sing in the shower, much to my family's chagrin.

 

There is nothing new under the sun:


Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, March 27, "We're Marching to Zion"

Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.

We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

Let those refuse to sing,
Who never knew our God;
But favorites of the heavenly King,
But favorites of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.

 

I would have to agree here with J Vernon Mcmegee, in that if my salvation depended upon my singing voice, I would be on the outside looking in!


the contex here would be that when we come together and assembly to worship the Lord as a bdy, the Spirit will give some this some that NOT referring to if we are saved or not, as being saved already is assumed!

 

The only times I've heard preachers teach that if you don't sing you aren't saved is when they have unilaterally changed the music. When it doesn't fly and folks stop singing, the castigating begins.

 

The best thing you could before you come to any conclusions about what he said is to go to him and ask for clarification.

 

Very good advise!!!

 

That may be, but you still should give him an opportunity to make a clarification. Anything can be said the wrong way. Failure to do so is just mean and uncharitable to your pastor.

 

I have been a musician all my life, and I am a pretty good singer. I've been in lots of bands with other musicians, etc...

Singing is very personal for some folks. Many believe they do not have a good voice and so will barely sing. Of course, those with a good voice tend to sing loud, sometimes WAY TOO LOUD.

I believe every person can sing, that they can learn to use what voice they have. No one would say Tom Waits has a good voice, but I think he is a fantastic singer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo4Y0TxW41g

Don't take Tom too seriously folks.

If you can show folks how even people like Tom Waits can sing, most will begin to let go and sing. With practice comes confidence.

 

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

I would never relate it to salvation but I have heard others relate the following verses to the one main command of "being filled with the Holy Spirit." That is a command after salvation. We all should endeavor to be "continually filled with the Holy Spirit," on a day to day basis.

As a consequence of being filled:
We would sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord.
We would be a thankful people.
And we would be a submissive people, submitting ourselves one to another--humility is the attribute I believe.

I have seen it preached in that format.
Aren't "speaking" "giving" "submitting" all participles, which would all be modifying the verb or the command to "Be filled"?

 

Think that when one is filled with the Spirit, he gets the "joy" of the Lord, and that comes out as at times praise. other times songs, or prayers!