Everyone has questions about the teachings of God from time to time. Maybe this question is one that you have been pondering.
First off, the biblical teaching concerning music in the New Testament church is governed by the New Testament and not by the Old Testament. Examples of this truth are found throughout New Testament scripture (1 Co. 9:22-27; Rom. 7:1-4; Gal. 3:23-26; Heb. 7:11-14; 8:7-13; 10:4).
In Ephesian 5:19, th kardia [the heart] is the direct object of psallo [making melody; strumming, plucking] illustrating that this passage specifically names the instrument to be strummed. Therefore, all other instruments are excluded by the exclusionary force of specific terminology. However, lets say that one tried to use this verse as the reason they use mechanical instruments in worship. Well according to this verse, that would mean that only the few people “strumming or plucking” their instruments would be worshiping God. If everyone else in the congregation wanted to worship they would have to bring their instrument so they could play along… if not then they are not worshiping God and therefore they are not obeying the command to worship!
Biblical evidence illustrates when biblical silence is permissive (giving permission) or prohibitive ( forbidding ). Biblical silence is permissive when the command expressed is generic in connection with the action commanded. For example, Mark 16:15 says, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” How do we “go” into all the world… boat, plane, by foot, on a donkey.. God doesn’t care. Biblical silence is prohibitive when the command expressed is specific in connection with the action commanded. For example, Mark 16:16 says one verse later, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.…” Just because God did not say specifically.. “Those who disbelieved [and has not been baptized] shall be condemned” It doesn’t matter. Because He didn’t have to. He said what a person needs to do to be saved.. therefore no one has the right to do any different. Also, why would a person who doesn’t believe think anything of the baptism part of the statement? If they don’t believe, they would not go on to be baptized. If they do believe, baptism was the next step towards salvation. Look at another (one of many) example of this Biblical silence point:
– In Hebrews 7:11-14 the Hebrews writer is making the point that Jesus being our priest required a change in the law. Why? Hebrews 7:14 gives us the answer: “For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” (NKJV). The tribe of Levi was the priestly tribe under the Old Covenant; this was specifically ordered by God (Numbers 1:49-52). When God specified the Levites he therefore automatically excluded the other tribes. God didn’t have to list out all of the tribes that were not able to be the priestly tribe.. All He had to do was declare which one was the priestly tribe.
Silence was prohibitive because the charge was specific. Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, was prohibited from being a priest under the Old Covenant. The KIND of music for worship in the New Testament church has been specifically prescribed: singing [Eph. 5:19]. Therefore, this specificity excludes any and all other kinds of music, including mechanical instrumental music, in the worship of the church.
Everything we do [religiously] must be stamped with the authority that comes from the Father through Christ [Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11]. Since the mechanical instrument is not seen in the terminology of Eph. 5:19 then what authoritative reference can one give to establish scriptural authority for the including mechanical instruments in the worship of the New Testament church?
Binding examples involving New Testament worship are supported by a background command.
(a) Prayer: Example, 1 Co. 14:14-17; command, 1 Th. 5:17
(b) Free-will offering: Example, 2 Co. 8 – 9; command, 1 Co. 16:1-2
(c) Lord’s Supper: Example, 1 Co. 11:17-34; command, Mt. 26:17-35
(d) Congregational singing: Example, 1 Co. 14:15-28; command, Col. 3:16 and Eph. 5:19
(e) Playing a mechanical instrument: Example? Any form of authority?
Those worshipping with the mechanical instrument of music in the Christian Age are caught in a dilemma of faith and judgment. If the kind of music is a matter of faith, then one must have scriptural authority for its practice. The authority required is totally absent from the New Testament. If the kind of music is a matter of personal judgment and opinion, then one must not practice that which causes unnecessary division (Rom. 14; Eph. 4:3).
The practice of using the mechanical instrument in Christian worship is not of apostolic origin. It was first introduced into Christian worship ca. 670 A.D. Since we are required to reject that which is not of apostolic origin [Gal. 1:6-9], then the use of the mechanical instrument in Christian worship must be rejected. Ref. Acts 2:42
There are significant biblical omissions related to the use of mechanical instruments in Christian worship.
(a) It is never authorized.
(b) No apostle ever sanctioned it.
(c) No New Testament writer ever commanded it.
(d) No apostle ever practiced it.
(e) No approved example of it can be found.
(f) No biblical inference of it can be found.
(g) No New Testament passage records it.
In answering this question my intention is to help any God-fearing individuals who are seeking to live by His commandments. In no way am I trying to interject my personal thoughts or feelings into this article. The only proper way for any of us to follow God is to live by His Word, not our own. Due to this fact, I have done my very best to present what God’s Word has to say on the subject, but I am an imperfect man and by no means infallible. Don’t just take my word, or anyone else’s word, for it, study God’s Word and look at what He says and then make your conclusion.
