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Instruments of Music in Worship
By Kenneth E. Thomas

Actually, the ones who are engaged in a given practice, in the case under consideration, the use of instrumental music in worship of followers of Jesus Christ, are the ones of whom we should demand that they “...give a defense to everyone who asks of you a reason for the hope that is within you...” (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11).

Those who oppose the mechanical instrument should not be put on the defensive as to why we oppose them. This question should be turned around on them, they should be required to tell us from the New Testament “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15), why they use them. Where is their authority? This subject like many others is a matter of authority! The apostle Paul commanded us to, “prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This subject is never settled once for all among religious people, no, not even among our own brethren. Each generation must study this subject anew. All who are willing to “speak as the oracles of God” will have little if any difficulty deciding wherein lies the truth on this, or any other subject about which we may study (John 8:31-32; James 1:21-25).

Our opposition to mechanical instruments in worship does not in any way stem from our whims, likes or dislikes, inability to purchase them or any such thing. This is a matter of “the faith” with us! We only desire to know what does the New Testament authorize Christians to do regarding music? When we learn this, we will know what pleases the Lord Jesus Christ who after all, has “all authority in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; Acts 3:22-23; John 12:48).

God has never in any age (Patriarchal, Mosaic, or Gospel) allowed man to worship Him as he pleased. He has always demanded strict adherence to that which He has authorized. In the first age of His dealing with mankind, we read of two of the sons of Adam as they approached God in worship, Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-7). Abel offered a blood offering as God commanded and his worship was accepted. Cain substituted the fruit of the ground which the Lord commanded not, and his worship was rejected. In the New Testament we read of this event in the following words. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). We have yet another case in point written for our learning (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11) designed to teach us respect for the word and will of the Lord. These two brothers are the sons of Aaron, nephews of Moses in the Mosaic dispensation. Each dressed for his duties as priest to offer incense before the Lord. They had been instructed as to “where to secure the fire” for igniting the incense (Leviticus 6:8-13; 16:12- 13). Instead of taking the coals from the altar as God directed, they chose to do things in their own way, and “offered strange fire.” God was displeased, and “there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:2).

There are four (4) kinds of worship. (1). Vain worship (Matthew 15:9). (2). Ignorant worship (Acts 17:23). (3). Will worship (Colossians 2:23). (4). True worship (John 4:23-24). Worship to be accepted is of one who is a faithful child in God’s family, a member of Christ’s blood bought church (Ephesians 3:21; 1 Peter 3:12; Isaiah 59:1-2). The modern ideas about worship say that whatever one does is acceptable. The Bible teaches differently. Now let us consider the subject under investigation.

Instrumental Music In Worship

By far the majority of religious people in this country think that:
“It is acceptable to God to play instruments of music in worship to God.” Is this idea BY FAITH OR BY OPINION? Is it taught in God’s word? It can NOT be BY FAITH unless it is taught in the New Testament since “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The fact that most people may think it is right does NOT determine its acceptability to God. Please honestly consider these facts.

1. Jesus never authorized it in the New Testament!
2. The Holy Spirit Has NOT revealed it in the New Testament!
3. The Apostles of Jesus Christ NEVER COMMANDED IT!
4. No inspired man EVER TAUGHT IT in the New Testament!
5. There is no inspired record where early Christians used it!
6. There is no record where it was ever SANCTIONED!
7. We do NOT play instruments in worship because:
a. It is NOT according to truth as given by Jesus Christ and revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 1:17; 4:24; 17:17).
b. It is NOT a good work according to the Scriptures. The Scriptures furnish the man of God completely unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Since it is not in the Scriptures, it is not a good work!
c. It does NOT pertain unto life and godliness. We learn from 2 Peter 1:3 that we have been given all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Since the playing of mechanical instruments of music in worship to God has not been given to us in God’s Word, it does not pertain unto life and godliness!
d. It can NOT be done by faith! To please God, we must act by faith! (Hebrews 11:6; 2 Corinthians 5:7). We receive faith by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Since God’s Word does not authorize playing of mechanical instruments of music in worship to God, it can NOT be done by faith!
e. It can NOT be done "in the name of", i.e. by the authority of Jesus Christ since Jesus Christ has not authorized it. But Paul commands us to do “whatsoever we do in the name of the Jesus Christ” (Colossians 3:17). Therefore it is wrong to play mechanical instruments of music in worship to God.
f. It is an addition. We learn from (James 1:25) that we have “the perfect law of liberty.” James 2:12 tells us that we should speak and do as those who “shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Paul tells us not to think of men “above that which is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 3:15). Since the Word of God does NOT authorize the playing of mechanical instruments of music in worship to God, if we do, it is an addition and thus sinful (Revelation 22:18-19).
g. It is a transgression of the law of Christ! 1 John 3:4 says that, “sin is the transgression of the law.”
1. We are under the law to Christ, the New Testament (1 Corinthians 9:21).
2. The law of Christ teaches us to SING, but does NOT teach us to PLAY in worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15).
3. Therefore: To play in worship is transgression and hence sinful! It should be just this simple. There is no authority from Christ for the mechanical instrument of music in worship by Christians!
h. It is unrighteousness because it is NOT AUTHORIZED in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 2:11-14). What is authorized in the gospel is righteous. When we go outside of the gospel and act we do that which is not right, It is unrighteousness.
i. It is vain worship because it is according to the doctrines of men. The playing of mechanical instruments of music in worship is a doctrine of uninspired men. When doctrines of men are followed, worship is vain (Matthew 15:7-9).
j. Those who PLAY mechanical instruments of music in worship do NOT HAVE GOD because they do NOT “abide in the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9-10).
k. The word “SING” is the scope of the command, and therefore it is the limit of our practice! No, it is not by faith when religionists play mechanical instruments of music in worship! They are walking by opinion, hence treading on dangerous ground!

Only Faithful Christians May Worship Acceptably

Before anyone may worship God through Jesus Christ, one must be a member of His blood bought church (Ephesians 3:21; 5:25). Not only is this so, but one must be a faithful member thereof (1 Peter 3:12).

Therefore, only a faithful Christian doing that which is authorized, may offer worship to God by Jesus Christ that He will accept (John 4:23-24; Colossians 3:17).

What Must One Do To Be Saved?

1. One must hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 15:7b; John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6).
2. One must repent of sin and error (Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 13:3; Luke 24:47).
3. One must confess Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32- 33).
4. One must be immersed into Christ and into the one body, the church, for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:26-39; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:20-21). If you haven’t “obeyed the gospel” you have not Jesus Christ as your high priest and mediator, and therefore cannot worship acceptably regardless of what you do or fail to do! (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Peter 1:22-25).