Music in Worship

Many people have asked why the church of Christ does not use mechanical instruments of music in their worship.  A close reading of the Bible references under the section, “The New Testament Instructs Us To Sing,” informs that only singing is authorized in the Christian’s worship to God.  Instruments of music in worship came at a much later date.

“The use of organs is ascribed to Pope Vitalian (657-672).”  (History of  The Christian Church by Philip Schaff, Vol. IV, p. 439. Wm. B. Eerdmans, Publishers).

APPEAL TO THE OLD TESTAMENT

Some, in an attempt to justify the use of instruments of music in worship, appeal to the Old Testament (the old covenant, which is also referred to as the law of Moses).  While it is true that instruments of music were used during the time the Old Testament was in effect (I Chronicles 15:16; II Chronicles 5:12-13; Psalms 150:3-6), today we are not under the authority of the Old Testament. This old covenant was given to the Jews (Deuteronomy 5:1-3), to bring them to Christ (Galatians 3:23-24).  It was changed (Hebrews 7:12, Hebrews 8:13, Hebrews 9:15) and nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ Colossians 2:14).  Since the law (Old Testament) was fulfilled by Jesus (Matthews 5:17), and taken away by His death, we no longer offer animal sacrifices as the Jews did (Hebrews 10:4) because Jesus Christ is our perfect sacrifice Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 10:12).  Since Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1) and all Christians are priests (I Peter 2:9), man today is not served by a special order of priests like the Jewish Levitical priesthood.  Neither do Christians use instruments of music in their worship as the Jews because this practice is not commanded or authorized by the New Testament (the new covenant).

THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY,

“THOU SHALT NOT USE INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC”

When the Bible expressly specifies an action, it excludes everything else.  When God told Noah, “make thee an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:1-4), He did not have to tell him what wood not to use because God’s instructions excluded every wood but gopher wood.  When God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac (the son of promise) as a sacrifice Genesis 22:1-12), His instructions excluded everyone else.  When God said sing and make melody with your heart (Ephesians 5:19), it excludes all other types of music.  Obedience to God’s instructions are absolutely necessary if we are to please Him.  “. . . he became unto all them that OBEY him the author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).

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