Resumen

YENDE, Sakhiseni Joseph. Sacred Weaponry: The Historical and Theological Role of Gospel Music in Spiritual Warfare and Liberation in Christianity - A Perspective of Acts 16:25-26. Studia Hist. Ecc. [online]. 2025, vol.51, n.1, pp.1-22. ISSN 2412-4265.  https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/17959.

Gospel music, an integral part of Christian worship, holds profound theological and historical significance, particularly in its role as a vehicle for spiritual liberation. Rooted in the traditions of early Christian worship, gospel music has evolved as a unique genre that expresses faith and serves as a powerful tool for spiritual warfare and deliverance. The central theological foundation for understanding the spiritual potency of gospel music is derived from Acts 16:25-26, where the Apostle Paul and Silas, bound in prison, sing hymns and pray, leading to their miraculous liberation. This study explores the transformative potential of gospel music, focusing on its historical development within Christian worship, with an emphasis on African church traditions and the Pentecostal movement. Drawing on secondary research, the study engages theological and historical sources, including books, journal articles, and archival records, to examine the role of gospel music as a tool for personal and communal liberation. The research highlights how gospel music facilitates spiritual freedom, not only in individual contexts but also within broader social and communal settings. It addresses the Pentecostal and African church communities, while also appealing to a wider Christian audience interested in the intersection of gospel music, spiritual warfare, and liberation. The findings confirm that gospel music serves as a transformative force within the Church, reinforcing its role in both personal faith and collective resistance against oppression. This article calls for further scholarly exploration of gospel music's profound impact on Christian worship, social justice, and spiritual renewal.

Palabras clave : Bondages; church history; gospel music; spiritual realm; theology.

        · texto en Inglés     · Inglés ( pdf )