Mechanical
Instruments In Worship
Some people are surprised when they visit
churches of Christ and find we sing without the use of mechanical instruments
in our worship. We do not do this just to be different although, God's people
are to be different. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, His own special people, that you may
proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous
light." (I Peter 2:9)
Following is the Bible's teaching about music
in New Testament worship:
Matthew 26:30 "And when they had sung
a hymn, they went out to the
Acts
Romans 15:9 "And that the Gentiles
might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: For this reason I will
confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your
name."
I Corinthians
Ephesians
Colossians 3:16 "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."
Hebrews
Hebrews 13:15 "Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to His name."
James
Worship in spirit and truth. John
Worship must not be corrupted.
Instrumental music in Christian worship makes a difference because God has
never allowed man to devise his own plan of worship. In worship and life
Christians must be guided by the New Testament. Worship is corrupted when
things not found in the New Testament are added. Paul warns, "...There are
some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached
to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if
anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him
be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9) Cain's sin was that he did not worship as
God directed. (Genesis 4) Let us be careful that unauthorized worship does not
become our sin also.
Worship in the name of the Lord.
In Colossians 3:17 we are commanded, "And whatever you do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him." Something done "in the name of the Lord" is done
by the authority of the Lord. When we sing it is done "in the name of the
Lord." The Lord said sing. Read again the list of verses at the beginning
of this article. Playing on mechanical instruments in worship is not commanded
and therefore cannot be done "in the name of" or with the authority
of Christ. Let it never be said of us, "You have done foolishly. You have
not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you..."
(I Samuel 13:13)
Worship must be done by faith.
The Christian life is a life of faith. Our faith comes from understanding
God's word. (Romans 10:17) To live by faith the Christian must live by the
teachings of God's word. Since there is nothing in the New Testament authorizing
mechanical instruments of music in worship how could one use them and claim to
be worshipping God "by faith." Romans
Worship in song is according to the
New Testament. God command's singing.
"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." (Colossians 3:16.) When God commands
that something be done, this forbids the doing of something else. When God commanded Noah to use gopher wood in the building of the
ark that forbade the use of other wood. So when God says
"sing" that forbids "playing." Worship in song is according
to the New Testament. Men use instruments of music in worship, not because it
is command by God, but because they like it. Remember the words of Matthew
15:9, "In vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of
men."
Worship just as Christ direct.
As a result of our desire to worship God just as Christ directs we do not and
will not use solos, choirs or instruments of music in our worship. In our worship
we sing, we teach, we admonish and we lift up the name of Christ. We urge everyone
to return to the last will and testament of Jesus Christ (New Testament) for
all religious authority. (Hebrews 9:15-17.)
Mechanical instruments in worship are
completely the innovation and introduction of men. Those who use instruments in
worship openly violate the plain and positive requirements of Jesus that His
followers shall walk by faith. The Christian just cannot afford to add to or
take from the teachings of the New Testament.
To become a Christian, you must hear the
gospel (Romans
By
Charles Box,