MUSICAL WORSHIP TO GOD

A Question Of Authority

A Raging Debate Amongst Christians

Is it permissible to worship God with musical instruments?

Or are our voices the only instruments God authorizes for New Testament praise?

Strong adherents on both sides of the issues.

Churches of Christ are no longer united on this issue.

Beginnings of Musical Worship

Prior to the law of Moses there is no record of musical worship to God.

However, musical instruments existed.

Genesis 4:21 – “His father’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.”

Musical Worship Established in Law

Exodus 15:1-21 records the earliest song sung to God.

Known as the song of Moses.

Vs. 20 – “Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing.”

Instruments Commanded By God

2 Chronicles 29:25 – “He then stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with harps and with lyres, according to the command of David and of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from the Lord through His prophets.”

Psalm 150:3-5

“Praise Him with trumpet sound…with harp and lyre…with timbrel and dancing…with stringed instruments and pipe…with loud cymbals….”

1 Chronicles 23:5

“…and 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were praising the Lord with the instruments which David made for giving praise.”

So what did they have?

Specific instruction from God as to what instruments to use and how to use them in worship.

Do we have such instructions from God for New Testament worship?

Are We To Maintain Old Testament Worship?

Romans 7:4-6 – “…just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works….”

Ephesians 2:14-15

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

Colossians 2:14

“…having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

New Testament Musical Worship

There is a complete absence of any mention of musical instruments used by the church in worship to God.

Revelation 15:2

“And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God.”

So what is AUTHORIZED for sure?

Matthew 26:30 – “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

Acts 16:25 – “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them….”

For sure SINGING is authorized!

Romans 15:9

“…and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, ‘Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name.”

The Christ sang to God’s name via the singing of the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 14:15

“What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

Spirit and mind involved.

Ephesians 5:19

…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.

Voice and heart authorized as instruments of praise.

Colossians 3:16-17

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Voices and hearts are for certain authorized by God. Anything else is human supposition.