Can A Christian Worship God Acceptably

With Instruments of Music?

David A. Paher

INTRODUCTION

The subject of instruments in worship is an interesting topic, and it is an issue that has good discussion on both sides. The heart of the matter lies in distinguishing between worship in the Old Testament versus worship in the New Testament. In short, what God commanded and required in the Old Testament, he prohibited in the New Testament.

What further complicates the issue and this subject is our close identification as humans to music in general causing many to ask, “What is so wrong with something that allows us to express so much emotion?” However, the main question that should be asked still remains: “How does the Lord want a Christian to worship Him?” or “What style of worship will He accept from a New Testament Christian?”

As a preacher of the Bible, I do not oppose instruments. In my home, I have a piano that I love to play along with other much smaller instruments; but to bring them into Christian worship would be sinful in my understanding of New Testament worship.

SCRIPTURE IS AUTHORITATIVE

Now allow me to emphasize my respect for the biblical record. I believe the Bible is the supreme authority in matters of life and faith. It is from God (2 Pet. 1:19-21); it is inspired—literally, “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16-17); and it provides us sufficiently for all good works (2 Pet. 1:3). We should neither add to nor subtract from Scripture. (See Lev. 10:1-2; Deut. 12:30-32; 17:3; Josh. 1:7; 23:6-8; Matt. 15:3; Rev. 22:18-19; et al.) In fact, Isaiah made this confession, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Is. 8:20 NKJV).

In the subject of instruments of music in the worship, we find that God has always regulated its use. Our duty is to investigate how God has regulated it’s use and to do just as he has authorized—no more and no less.

INSTRUMENTS IN THE O.T.

God through Moses commanded that the trumpet—and the trumpet alone—could be used in the tabernacle’s public worship (Num. 10), but it was regulated (see verses 1-2, 8, 10). Moses “was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22) being familiar with the instruments they used in their deity worship; however, he was not authorized to add them to the worship of Jehovah.

Only when Israel settled in their new land and set up a new king did God direct a change in Old Testament worship. Several things were altered. For example, David employed some professional singers and musicians in the worship full-time (1 Chron. 16:4-6; 23:1-6). Further, the tabernacle and its contents were not to be moved any longer but were to become a permanent fixture in the land (1 Chron. 23:25-26)—that is, until Solomon built the temple, in effect, replacing the tabernacle.

Later, God inspired his prophets to write about Old Testament worship (1 Chron. 28:12, 19; 2 Chron. 29:25-27) authorizing David to command the musicians to use cymbals, harps and lyres (2 Chron. 5:12) along with the trumpets that were already inuse in the worship to the Lord. During King Hezekiah’s efforts to restore temple worship, several generations later, the scrolls they used as their worship pattern directed them to use David’s instruments (2 Chron. 29:25ff).

Other restorations of worship in the Old Testament followed the precedent to use only what David commanded. Jehoida the priest looked to David’s order (2 Chron. 23:18). King Josiah sought to follow David’s written direction (2 Chron. 35:4, 15). Even in the post-exilic era, Zerubbabel and Jeshua set up worship according to David’s ordinance (Ezr. 3:10). Nehemiah made reforms according to David’s command (Neh. 12:24, 35-36, 45-46).

From these examples in the Old Testament, we see a regulative principle applied to the subject of instruments of music in the worship assembly to God. Both Moses and David were directed by the Lord and worshipers were urged to follow those directions—no more and no less.

N.T. EXALTED OVER O.T.

We likewise find the same principle in New Testament worship to God. The Lord has not changed (Num. 23:19), and we must do today with the New Testament record what Jehoida, Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, Jeshua and Nehemiah did in principle with Old Testament worship—to discover what God’s command is.

What is God’s command in the Christian’s worship assembly? Has he authorized instruments to be used? If so, which kind and how many? Neither Moses nor David can provide direction in this area because the priesthood, its functions and the law has changed (Heb. 7:12). The covenant has also changed (Heb. 8:13) along with the high priest (Heb. 3:1), who said, “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30) referring to all things in the Old Covenant. Jesus told a Samaritan woman, who conversed with him at Jacob’s well, that worship in both the tabernacle and the temple has been repealed being replaced by true worship among Christians in every place (see Jn. 4:23-24). Paul described the superior beauty of the New Covenant to the fading glory of the Old Covenant (2 Cor. 3:10-11), which was abolished on the cross (Eph. 2:14-15). Clearly, we see that the examples of old time are insufficient for this new Christian age.

INSTRUMENTS IN THE N.T.

Regarding New Testament worship, it must be established that singing and playing instruments are two entirely different matters. To sing is not to play instruments, and vice versa. In addition, singing is not contingent upon playing an instrument, and vice versa. Singing is commanded in the New Testament (1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), and both the command to and the example of playing instruments are absent from the same Christian record. Therefore, to obey the New Testament direction, we must sing. Playing instruments would be an addition, and additions are wrong (Deut. 12:32; Rev. 22:18).

Singing is the New Testament precedent. The apostles sang before accompanying Jesus to the garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26). In the early church, Christians were encouraged to sing when cheerful (Jam. 5:13). The Corinthian church sang thoughtfully (1 Cor. 14:15). As doctrines were taught and practiced among all the first-century congregations consistently (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:33-34) and letters were commonly shared among the churches (Col. 4:16), it is safe to conclude that other churches did as the Corinthians who sang without the accompaniment of instruments. Paul gave direction regarding the singing use when he wrote, “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19 NKJV), and “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16 NKJV).

The church fathers, commonly designated such because they wrote letters in the second and third centuries and many of them either knew the apostles personally or they knew someone who knew the apostles personally, wrote abundantly about the worship and practice of the first-century Christians. Although their writings are not inspired, they do offer insight into the Christian worship and support the biblical examples we have. All the records bear witness to the fact that the Christians then worshiped God in song; they are silent about the use of instruments of music in worship. Inherent in the word, a capella, is a defense to singing as it means “in the style of the chapel or church.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

Two differences exist between the Old and New Testament worship that have remarkable bearing on this subject. First, the Old Testament record abundantly shows the use of instruments of music in their worship (2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Chron. 13:8; 15:16; 16:5-6; 23:5; 25:1, 6; 2 Chron. 5:12-13; 23:13, 18; 29:27; 34:12; Ezr. 3:10; Neh. 12:36; et al), a trait that is totally absent from the New Testament record. Second, when men have desired to restore Old Testament worship, they looked back to David’s commandments. The apostles did not do that—the thought likely never entered their mind—because they knew temple worship was abolished, and they needed to look to Jesus for authority.

One who strives to play instruments in Christian worship needs to find precedence in the New Testament for its use. The New Testament specifies singing; playing instruments are absent from this record. To add instruments in the worship would be an act of disobedience, which is sin.

Dear reader, I would like to express how much I appreciate your sincere reading of this tract and your earnest consideration of these things discussed. I encourage you to model the Bereans, who “were more fair-minded...in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11 NKJV). Feel free to share these thoughts with your preacher. If he disagrees, listen to how he attempts to refute the points herein raised. Truth never looks so good as when it is put alongside error, and I believe an honest seeker of truth would be able to clearly see the difference.