I hope and pray that this series of articles has been helpful and have honored God. It is always my goal, as the title of this article suggests, to provide Scriptural answers to spiritual questions.
This week, as we conclude our series, we examine the question, “What does the Bible say about the use of mechanical instruments in worship to God?”
Questions to Consider
As we begin our study, please grab your Bible and answer the following questions:
* Who is the Audience of our worship? (Psalm 19:14; 29:2; 95:6; Rev. 4:8, 11).
* Will God accept worship offered to Him that He does not approve of or authorize? (Gen. 4:4; Lev. 10:1-2; Col. 3:17).
* Is it possible to worship God incorrectly, i.e, in vain? (Lev. 10:1-2; Matt. 15:9; Acts 17:22-23).
* Are we subject to the Old Law or the New Law today, i.e, the Law of Christ? (Col. 2:14; Heb. 8:13; 9:15-17).
* Must we worship God in spirit and in truth, offering worship from the heart in the way He has prescribed in His word? (John 4:24).
I beseech you to be honest with the Scriptures and with yourself as you answer!
What We Are Not Discussing
Musical Instruments in the Old Testament.
Friends, it is important to state what we are NOT discussing. We are NOT discussing the use of mechanical instruments in the Old Testament (2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Chr. 16:42; 23:5; 2 Chr. 7:6; Psalm 150:3-5).
There is no doubt that mechanical instruments were used in praise to God, but it is very telling that one must rush back to the Old Testament to find the use of mechanical instruments in worship!
Where are the New Testament passages that authorize the use of mechanical instruments in worship? They also brought animal sacrifices, so if you are going to bring the instrument, where is your animal sacrifice?
Musical Instruments in Heaven.
We are also NOT discussing music in Heaven:
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8).
Notice “each having a harp” (why doesn’t every person have an instrument?) Notice the symbolic language: “which are the prayers of the saints.’
Remember, Heaven is a spiritual realm; no corruptible thing (including a literal instrument of music) will be there (1 Cor. 15:50).
Traditions of Men.
Finally, we are NOT discussing the opinions, traditions, or preferences of men. Our goal should be to please and honor God!
What Does the New Testament Say?
What does the New Testament say about the music God authorizes and desires in worship? Singing is commanded by God:
“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16).
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).
Everyone is to participate, which rules out choirs, solos, praise teams, praise bands, etc.
To employ and include mechanical instruments of music in worship today is sinful, as God does not approve of that which He does not authorize!
What About “It Doesn’t Say We Can’t?”
One may argue, “It doesn’t say that we can’t use instruments, so we can.” My question is, “What about the Law of Exclusion?”
The Bible authorizes by what it says, not by what it does not say. Consider the following passage:
“For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” (Heb. 7:14; cf. Gen. 49:10).
By specifying the tribe of Levi, it is not necessary to name all of the tribes from which priests did not come. God said to sing, which rules out everything else!
The Example of Noah and the Ark.
Consider the example of Noah and the ark (Gen. 6).
God told Noah to use gopherwood. By specifying gopherwood, that ruled out every other kind of wood. Furthermore, there would be no authority to add to the command.
The Example of Namaan.
Namaan was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times to be healed of leprosy (2 Kin. 5:10). That ruled out any other body of water as well as any other number of times to dip.
When you go to a restaurant and order off a menu, do you say, “I’ll have water and a number one, but I don’t want Coke, sweet tea, coffee, etc., and I don’t want a number two, number three, etc.?”
Of course not, because when you specify something, everything else is ruled out.
God desires and deserves true worshippers to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). The New Testament commands singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Silence of the Scriptures does NOT authorize (Heb. 7:14).
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, not by human opinions, innovations, and preferences (Rom. 10:17; Gal. 1:10; Heb. 11:4). We must do all in the name of the Lord (Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 2:5).
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider the things written in this article. May God bless you as you study His Word!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
