A Question About Instrumental Music in Worship
Several times during this past month, I was asked why we do not use music at church. A Bible study that came as a result of this question allowed for the opportunity to explain why we do not use mechanical instruments in our Christian worship. The notes from that Bible study are reproduced here for your benefit:
A. Worship Is About God –
1. Genesis 4:1-5 – God orders worship, not man.
2. John 4:23-24 – True worship has two conditions.
3. Leviticus 10:1-2 (Rom. 15:4) – Unauthorized worship (v. 1) is unacceptable worship with God (v. 2).
4. 2 Samuel 6:1-8 – Obedience is preferred over the best-of- intentions.
B. Re: New Testament Worship –
1. It is to be distinguished from O.T. worship (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb.8:9;9:1;12:28).
2. “Christians” are told to sing (Eph. 5:19; James 5:13).
3. There is absolutely no evidence that that early church used instruments in worship. In fact, the early Church Fathers, after the manner of the Apostles, strictly opposed mechanical instruments in worship.
4. The kind of music which God desires today is clearly stated. The only acceptable music, under the new covenant, is identified as from the heart, not the harp (see Col. 3:16,17 for authority-“in the name of the Lord Jesus” [not Moses; not David; nor the traditions of men]
-Robert M. Housby