Common Arguments for Instrumental Music in Worship

Introduction

1. The rejection of musical instruments in worship is one of the most familiar features of “churches of Christ.”

    a. It should be noted that there are many so-called “churches of Christ” that use instruments in worship.

b. A church may have a scriptural name but unscriptural doctrines and practices. (e.g. Assembly of God)

2. In this lesson we will examine some of the common arguments for using musical instruments in worship.

First, we need to examine the…

I.      Biblical Evidence

A.          From the Old Testament

1.   Under the OT the use of musical instruments was expressly encouraged by revelation. Ps. 150

2.   Many examples can be found in the OT of righteous men praising God with instruments.

3.   The inspired text leaves little doubt of the propriety of musical instruments in OT worship.

B.          In the New Testament

1.   The NT, however, presents a stark contrast to the OT record.

a)       There is no command or example of musical instruments being used in NT church worship.

b)       Considering the extensive use of instruments in the OT, its absence in the NT is remarkable.

2.   There are nine passages in the NT, other than those in Revelation, that refer to music in worship.

a)       Notice the specific references to vocal music, not just to praise in general but to singing.

·        And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Matthew 26:30)

·        But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God… (Ac 16:25)

·        "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name." (Romans 15:9)

·        What is the conclusion then?...I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Cor. 14:15)

·        "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."  (Hebrews 2:12)

·        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. (Hebrews 13:15)

·        Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. (James 5:13)

b)       The two remaining passages supply even more specific and useful instruction.

·        And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:18-20)

·        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. (Colossians 3:16)

3.   Notice these points about Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16:

a)       Both give instructions for a specific type of music: psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

b)       Both assign an edifying purpose to songs offered in worship to God: teach and admonish.

c)       Both tell us where the melody is to be played: in our hearts accompanied by grace.

II.    Various Arguments for Instrumental Music Considered

A.          Musical Instruments were used in the Old Testament

1.   The explicit instruction to use instruments in the OT makes its absence in the NT compelling!

2.   The old covenant has been replaced with a better covenant and a new law. He. 8:6-7, 13; 7:12

3.   The OT law was removed at the cross, and many of its features were never renewed. Co. 2:13-17

4.   Though OT principles reinforce NT doctrines, we cannot appeal to the OT for church practices.

B.          Musical Instruments are an Aid to Singing

1.   If they are an aid to singing, why do they continue to play when no one is singing?

a)       E.g. Musical interludes, background “mood music” during the altar call

b)       Though they may soothe, can instruments speak, teach, or admonish as God commanded?

c)       If instruments do accomplish these purposes, why didn’t God give us notes as well as lyrics?

2.   We must carefully distinguish between an aid to God’s command, and an addition to it.

a)       God specifically commanded singing, and every example illustrates the use of vocal praise.

b)       We are strictly warned not to add to God’s commands. 2Jn. 9; Re. 22:18-19; Pr. 30:5-6

C.          The Greek Word Psallo Includes Musical Instruments

1.   If this argument is true, every person is required to play an instrument, not simply permitted.

a)        …singing and making melody (psallo) in your heart to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:19)

b)       Thayer defines psallo:

1) to pluck off, pull out 2) to cause to vibrate by touching, to twang 2a) to touch or strike the chord, to twang the strings of a musical instrument so that they gently vibrate 2b) to play on a stringed instrument, to play, the harp, etc. 2c) to sing to the music of the harp 2d) in the NT to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song

c)       In examining twenty-five different translations, not one of them mentioned instruments.

d)       If instruments adhere in the NT usage, why did hundreds of scholars translate it otherwise?

2.   Notice these facts about this argument:

a)       The text tells us where the melody is to be played, i.e. what instrument to use: the heart.

b)       One would have to be a Greek scholar to know that instruments are involved in NT worship.

c)        The Greek Orthodox Church uses acappella music in their worship. (some organs in the West)

D.          The Bible Doesn’t Say Not to Use Instruments

1.   While this is true, the Bible does make two definitive statements that lead to such a conclusion:

a)       God specifically prescribes and describes the type of music He wants – singing.

b)       God instructs men to abide within His doctrine and not to add to what He said. Jn. 8:31-32

2.   The Bible doesn’t say not to confess your sins to a priest, but is auricular confession authorized?

3.   The question is: can we use musical instruments in the worship of God “in the name of Christ?”

a)       Can we “speak as the oracles of God” in defense of the use of musical instruments?

b)       Is our interest in pleasing and glorifying God or merely satisfying ourselves?

E.          What About the Music in Heaven?

1.   The book of Revelation conveys its message through symbolic imagery. Re. 1:1

a)       The images of Heaven invoke many figures of OT worship. (e.g. temple, harps, incense)

b)       These elements of OT worship are contrasted with the NT in Hebrews. He. 9:1-5, 9-11

2.   Every example of Christians on earth worshipping in the NT explicitly refers to singing.

F.          It Doesn’t Really Matter – This Debate is Legalistic!

1.   Who will decide how God is to be honored?

a)       Just because a practice seems good to us, doesn’t mean God will accept it. Zech. 7:1-7

b)       We must be careful not to be presumptuous in the way we honor God. 2Sa. 7:1-7

2.   We must abide within the will of God even when it may not make sense to us. Jn. 15:4

Conclusion

1. Remember the words of Balaam, a selfish and evil person who, nevertheless, spoke a profound truth:

¨     'If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will. What the LORD says, that I must speak' (Nu. 24:13)

2. Consider what Adam Clarke, a highly regarded denominational scholar, wrote long ago concerning musical instruments in worship:

¨     I am an old man, and an old minister; and I here declare that I never knew them productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity. The late venerable and most eminent divine, the Rev. John Wesley, who was a lover of music, and an elegant poet, when asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists said, in his terse and powerful manner, "I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither HEARD nor SEEN." I say the same, though I think the expense of purchase had better be spared. (Adam Clarke on Amos 6:5)

3. Our loyalty to Christ is tested when His word asks of us more or less than we desire to give.

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