Books
Bible Basics
By Bill Dillon
Are We Singing or Sinning?
Introduction
A few years ago a letter appeared in the “Dear Abby” column of newspapers nationwide saying:
“DEAR ABBY: A reader in St. Augustine, Fla., said he quit going to church because the organist played too loudly. Well, I’ve been an organist since 1934, and the problem is probably not the organist, but the organ. Over the years, churches replace worn-out organs or parts of several organs, and the resulting sounds are disastrous!”
Dear Abby responded with a letter from another reader of her column which said:
“DEAR ABBY: This is for the St. Augustine reader who quit attending church because of the organ music: I, too, had the same problem, but I asked God to show me the way, and He pointed me toward the Church of Christ.
“The Church of Christ doesn’t believe in instrumental music, and believe me, it is heavenly to go to church and not have to hear all that loud instrumental music. For true salvation in a quiet and spiritual atmosphere, try the Church of Christ.”
Such an exchange of sentiments may be an echo from much earlier times; back in the days when mechanical instruments of music were first introduced into the worship of God. How do you feel about mechanical instruments in worship of God? More importantly, what does the Bible teach on the subject?
Good morning to all! Welcome to the “Words of Life” gospel broadcast. We are glad to be able to make another radio visit with you today. Our Bible study this morning covers the subject of mechanical instruments of music in worship services.
Before we get into that lesson however, allow me to extend to you and your family a personal invitation to attend the worship services of the Mountain Home Church of Christ. Our church building is located at the corner of College and North Streets.
Come with:
A Bible in your hand
A friend by your side
A smile on your face
A song in your heart.
Discussion
Isn’t singing songs in worship to God a blessed experience? Few things lift our spirits more than singing the great hymns of the church. It is common in the religious world today to find organs and various mechanical instruments of music (even brass bands and rock bands) being used in the various worship services of hundreds of denominations. To raise the question of the propriety of such, would be considered “nit-picking” and petty to the minds of those who assume an air of spiritual superiority. Nonetheless, we ask the question, “Is it right (scriptural) to use mechanical instruments when worshipping the Lord?”
As with many things in life, it is not so simple a matter to decide as it might seem at first. Keep an open mind as we explore the matter in the light of what the Bible says.
Music Mentioned Nine Times
Music in worship to God is mentioned nine times in the New Testament. And we find in each and every one of those nine passages, God specifies the kind of music He desires — it is always singing!
Let us notice these passages so you can know for yourself exactly what God has said in His Word:
1. Matthew 26:30
“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
2. Acts 16:25
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
3. Romans 15:9
“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy name.”
4. 1 Corinthians 14:15
“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding, also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
5. Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to your selves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
6. 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.”
7. Hebrews 2:12
“Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”
8. Hebrews 13:15
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
9. James 5:13
“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.”
Notice again each passage commands singing, vocal music! What kind of music should we then be using in our worship?
Remember it is not a question of what you or I might prefer, or what we think sounds good. Acceptable worship to God is always God-pleasing; first and foremost it must be what God wants, not what we want.
Worship is defined as “an act of homage to God” or “to make obeisance to God.” Worship is not manward but Godward.
In John 4:24 Jesus stated:
“God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
In this simple and pivotal statement the essence of worship is set forth. It’s not enough to worship, our worship must be true worship! It’s not a matter of our choice, but rather a matter of God’s commands. To worship “in truth” means the manner in which God has instructed in His Word.
What Others Have Said
Many in the modern denominational world are not aware of what great religious leaders of the past really thought about the use of mechanical instruments in worship. Let me read to you some statements:
Martin Luther: “The organ in the worship of God is an ensign of Baal.”
John Calvin: “It is no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of tapers, or revival of the other shadows of the law. The Roman Catholics borrowed it from the Jews.”
Adam Clark: “I am an old man and an old minister, and I here declare that I have never know instrumental music to be productive of any good in the worship of God, and have reason to believe that it has been productive of much evil. Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instrumental music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music, and I here register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of that Infinite Spirit who requires His followers to worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
Charles H. Spurgeon: When asked why he did not use the organ in worship he gave 1 Corinthians 14:15 as his answer: “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also,” and remarked, “I would as soon pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery.”
John Wesley: “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither seen nor heard.”
Friends, these quotations are given, not because we believe that men (leaders) can determine what is right or wrong, regardless of what God says; but just to let you know what many of the founders and leaders of the largest denominations in the world today thought on the subject of the kind of music to be used when men give praise to God.
In addition to the above, Bible scholars such as Alexander Campbell and J. W. McGarvey added to the weight of their voices.
Alexander Campbell: “To all whose animal nature flags under the oppression of church services, I should think instrumental music would not only be a desideratum but an essential prerequisite to fire up their souls to even animal devotion. But to all spiritually minded Christians such aids would be as a cowbell in a concert.”
J. W. McGarvey: “We cannot adopt the practices without abandoning the only ground upon which a restoration of New Testament Christianity can be accomplished.”
Old-Testament Usage
Sometimes someone will ask, “But didn’t God allow instruments under the Old Testament?” In response to that, we point out that Old Testament worship was physical in nature, i.e., physical incense, sacrifice, etc. However, the New Testament, God’s Law for us today, is a spiritual covenant. Mechanical instruments of music would be out of place in this new and better law. Notice, under the New Testament, God has given instruments for us to use. The instrument of God’s selection is the human heart (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). No earthly device could ever produce more beautiful music than the human heart. In worship, use your God-made instrument of music; do not settle for a man-made artificial stimulant.
The Book of Revelation
Another may raise an objection that goes like this, “But mechanical instruments (harps) are mentioned as being in heaven, in the book of Revelation.”
It is true that Revelation 5:8; 14:2 and 15:2 mention harps. But, should not it be recognized that these references are the language of symbolism and imagery and take place in heaven, not on earth? Moreover, even if the argument were granted, harps are seldom used in churches today. And notice carefully that Revelation 14:2 indicates not literal harps at all, but the voice of worshippers would be “as the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” The New Testament teaches that our worship to God on earth is by offering “the fruit of our lips” (Hebrews 13:15). “The fruit of our lips,” not our fingertips!
Conclusion
Listening friends, God is concerned that the heart of each worshipper be true to Him in singing praise to His name. Let us, as worshippers of God, be equally concerned that we do all things that would please Him.
Please Him and not ourselves. And let us never consider anything a small thing if the truth of God is at stake.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And good day.
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