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Copyright (c) 1986, Robert F. Harkrider
Christianity is pre-eminently a religion of faith. All acceptable
service to God depends upon a proper understanding and
appreciation of this vital principle. Some may wonder what kind
of strange people are they who do not use instruments of music in
worship. For a number of what some would consider to be good
reasons, we would like to use instrumental music as an addition
and accompaniment to our singing. Only one thing really prevents
its being introduced into our worship. If only we can find the
evidence in God's word that He would be pleased to have it, we
shall add it. However, if we walk by faith and not by sight, we
must refuse to add it.
I. IT MATTERS WITH GOD WHAT WE DO, Matt. 7:21-23; 15:7-9.
A. Christ Was Given All Authority, Matt. 28:18-20.
1. He commanded what the apostles taught the disciples to
practice, Matt. 18:18
a. Divine authority is established by expressed
statement;
b. Approved apostolic example;
c. Necessary inference (inescapable conclusions).
2. The Bible is a complete and perfect guide, 2 Pet. 1:3.
a. Furnishes man unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
b. Cannot change it without a curse, Gal. 1:6-8.
c. Cannot go beyond without losing God's fellowship,
2 John 1:9.
d. Transgression of the law is sin, I John 3:4.
B. We Must Walk By Faith, 2 Cor. 5:7.
1. Faith is not superstition nor personal likes, but
founded upon Bible, Rom. 10:17.
2. God's ways are not man's ways, Isa. 55:8-9.
C. We Must Understand The Difference Between Aids And
Additions.
1. Aids — help to obey the commands of the Lord.
a. These are not specified, yet they are lawful
(authorized) because they fall within the class or
kind of that which is commanded.
b. Example: Communion plates and cups help to serve the
Lord's Supper. They assist in distributing the thing
commanded, Lk. 22:1,18.
2. Additions — change that which is commanded.
a. These do not fall within the same class or kind of
that which is specified.
b. For example, why would anyone object to using lamb
for the Lord's Supper? Though it may be more filling
and pleasing to man, it is wrong because it is a
change from unleavened bread and fruit of the vine.
II. SINGING IS COMMANDED AND EXEMPLIFIED IN WORSHIP OF THE NEW
TESTAMENT.
A. Singing Is The Kind Of Music Specified.
1. Matt. 26:30—after the institution of the Lord's Supper.
2. Acts 16:25—Paul and Silas in prison.
3. Rom. 15:9—David's prophecy of the Gentiles.
4. I Cor. 14:15—singing with the spirit and understanding.
5. Eph. 5:19—singing and making melody in your heart to
the Lord.
6. Col. 3:16—singing with grace in your hearts.
7. Heb. 2:12—in the midst of the church will I sing thy
praise.
8. Heb. 13:15—the sacrifice of praise ... the fruit of our
lips.
9. James 5:13—Is any merry? Let him sing praises.
B. Which Scripture Even Allows Us To Use Instrumental Music?
1. Instead of asking why do you not use instrumental music
in worship, one should raise the question of "What
scripture authorizes it?"
2. Singing and playing are two different kinds of music.
This can be illustrated by asking one to sing, "Nearer
My God To Thee" and another to play it.
3. Song books are authorized as aids because they help one
to obey the command to sing. In no way do they change
the kind of music made. But an instrument is an
addition for it changes what is commanded.
III. COMMON REASONS OFFERED TO JUSTIFY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN
WORSHIP.
A. The Bible Doesn't Say "Not" To Use It!
1. This is a poor justification. By the same logic one
could add lamb to the Lord's Supper.
2. God punished those who did other than what was
commanded, Lev. 10:1-2.
3. The fact something is not specifically forbidden does
not give us the authority to do as we please. For
example, Moses did not specifically forbid priests to
come of the tribe of Judah, but Christ could not be a
priest on earth because He was from this tribe (cf.
Heb. 7:14). Another tribe (Levi) had been specifically
commanded. Likewise, singing is specifically commanded,
and God "spake nothing" about any change or addition to
this kind of music.
B. David Used Instrumental Music In Worship.
1. Under the Law of Moses, David used them,
2 Chron. 29:25; Psalm 150.
a. Yet, no one wants to add lamb to the Lord's Supper on
the basis that David ate of it during the Passover
Feast.
b. Nor do they want to offer bulls and goats for
sacrifices;
c. Nor do they use him as an example to justify many
wives, etc.
2. Why? The Law of Moses was abolished at the cross,
Col. 2:14.
a. The Law served as a schoolmaster, but we are no
longer under it, Gal. 3:23-25.
b. Christ is dead in vain if justified by it, Gal. 2:21;
5:4.
C. Harps Are Mentioned In Revelation 5:8;14:1-2;15:1-2.
1. Observe "who" and "where"!
a. Heaven was the place, Rev. 4:1
b. Four beasts and twenty-four elders were the "who" in
Rev 5:8 and 144,000 were the only ones who could
learn the song in Rev. 14:1-2.
2. Will we accept the position that whatever is in heaven
we should have on the earth? What about angels, golden
bowls, golden censer, burning incense?
3. Rev. 15:2—the fact they were standing on a sea of glass
indicates it is figurative language. If so, could not
the harps be also?
D. The Greek Word "Psallo" (Making Melody) In Eph. 5:19 Means
To Play.
1. The root meaning of this word is to pull, rub, strike,
pluck, or vibrate.
a. A carpenter "psalloes" a line when he lets it go to
chalk.
b. One would "psallo" a man's beard if he pulled it.
2. Forty-seven scholars who translated the King James
Version and 101 who translated the American Standard
Version of the N.T. gave the meaning of this word all
five times it appears the idea of "sing." Were all
these wrong? (It appears in Rom. 15:9; twice in
I Cor. 14:15; James 5:13; Eph. 5:19).
3. If it means "play an instrument," then all of us need
to be equipped with a hand organ or some other
instrument. Actually this passage is strong proof of
the purpose singing is commanded. The instrument is the
heart! God wants this kind of worship — "from the
heart."
IV. PLEASE UNDERSTAND OUR ACTION IS OUT OF CONVICTION.
A. This Objection Has Not Been Supported By Secular History,
Though It Could Be.
1. Encyclopedias, church histories both testify that the
early disciples did not use instrumental music in their
worship, although it was available to them and used in
the temple worship by Jews.
2. Instrumental music was first introduced into Christian
worship in 660 A.D. by Vitalian, the Roman Catholic
Pope, but it was not generally used till later.
3. Many renowned denominational leaders were opposed to
it. Men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Charles
Spurgeon are on record against its use.
a. John Wesley, when asked his opinion of instrumental
music being introduced into the chapels of
Methodists, said, "I have no objection to
instruments of music in our chapels, provided they
are neither heard nor seen."
b. Adam Clarke, in his commentary written in 1823 added
to Wesley's words, "I say the same, though I think
the expense of purchase had better be spared."
(Clarke's notes on Amos 6:5.)
B. This Objection Is Not Because We Do Not Like The Sound Of
Instrumental Music.
1. Many Christians have instruments and play them for
secular entertainment.
2. But we understand that what pleases man is not
necessarily what pleases God.
C. This Objection Is Based On Where Is The Scripture?
It does matter to God what we do! Matt. 15:7-9;
Matt. 7:21-23.
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