There is more to some discussions than what originally meets the eye. This is very true for the current discussion on the use of instrumental music during worship.
The real issue, the authority of God, is much broader in scope, under which this controversy happens to fall. No sensible person opposes instrumental music just to be different or controversial. Such a position of opposition is only pertinent so long as it adheres to the authority of the New Testament.
It is this authors fondest hope that the material about to be presented will help define the controversy, and provide some answers. May the Lord bless all of us as we seek to please Him.
--STEVE HALE—
THE AUTHORITY OF GOD
Let's suppose you decide it’s time to buy a new car. You custom order the upholstery, stereo system, and special wire wheels.
The dealer calls you, and says your car is in. Excitedly, you pull into the lot. He hands you the bill: $215,000! Wait a minute. The car you ordered was only $18,500.00. Why $215,000?
The dealer explains that they grinded a solid ruby key, solid gold trim, and sterling silver cylinders!
You respond: "I didn't order all of that!" But the dealer says: "That's right, but you didn't tell us not to add it on." How long would a car dealer like this stay in business?
We all understand that when we order something, we eliminate everything else. McDonald's does not add everything else on the menu when you order a cheeseburger and fries. They will only bring what you have authorized to the counter! This is the authority principle.
The same thing is true in the Bible. When God orders something, he eliminates everything else. Paul said: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him"
(Col. 3:17). And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, doall in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
In the Old Testament, we are taught that priests could only come from the tribe of Levi
(Num. 1:49, 50) Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
However, the New Testament teaches that Jesus would be the High Priest, but that He would come from the tribe of Judah
Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Since he could not have been a High Priest under the Law of Moses, a change in the Law was necessitated
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Commenting on this situation, Paul said: "For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests"
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
In other words, to eliminate Judah from having priests, the inspired writers did not have to say "thou shalt not be from Judah, thou shalt not be from Benjamin, thou shalt not be from Naphtali..."
When the Lord authorized the tribe of Levi, He eliminated all the other tribes, for of Judah "...Moses spake nothing concerning priests." The Lord, therefore, need not tell us what he doesn't want, but merely what He does want!
This authority principle is vital when we examine the question of instrumental music in worship. Is such authorized? Let's see!
THE NEW TESTAMENT
Jesus is the author of a new covenant
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
He has removed the old covenant with its laws and regulations
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
And replaced it with His new covenant
Mat 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave itto the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave itto them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Jesus imparted His will to the Holy Spirit
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew itunto you.
Who in turn, breathed it into the writers of the New Testament
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Jesus is our King Mat 21:4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Mat 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
and Master . Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, evenChrist; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Therefore, He has all authority
Matt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Whatever we do must be by the authority of Jesus. Paul said: "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Remember the authority principle? When the Lord tells us what He wants, He eliminates everything else! For example, on the Lord's Day, we are told to remember our Lord's death through the memorial supper
1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink thiscup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
In its observance, our Lord has authorized only the bread and the fruit of the vine.
Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it,and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup isthe new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me iswith me on the table.
Luk 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
Where does the Bible tell us not to use chocolate milk? Where does the Bible tell us not to use hot fudge cake?
When the Lord said fruit of the vine and the bread, that eliminated everything else, just as it did with priests coming only from the tribe of Levi under the Old Covenant.
Num 1:49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
Num 1:50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Again, no where do you read: "not from Simeon, not from Ephraim..."
NEW TESTAMENT SINGING
In reference to the New Testament church, the following are passages which relate to its singing:
Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
1Co 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.
Heb 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.
Rom 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Jas 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Col 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.
In these passages of scripture, singing is authorized, and that is all that is authorized. Not one word is mentioned about the use of any mechanical instrument of music. As a matter of fact, we are told that the singing should:
1. be with the spirit 1Co 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.
2. be with the understanding. 1Co 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.
3. speak. Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
4. teach. Col 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.
5. admonish. Col 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.
All the Lord wants of singing is accomplished by vocal praise. Nothing He wants is accomplished by instrumental music.
COORDINATE/SUBORDINATE
Authorized action includes matters that are subordinate in nature to the command, and that does not hinder the command. A co-ordinate to that which is authorized is by definition a different matter, and not subordinate to the original command.
For example, we are commanded to preach the gospel .
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
This would include anything subordinate to the command: pulpit, radio, television, Open Bible Study, etc.
However, the same command would exclude all the co-ordinates: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, etc. The command to preach the gospel excludes all co-ordinates
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Using this same principle, examine the authorized action of singing. Under the authority to sing, all the subordinates are authorized: the words, the chanting of these words, antiphonal singing of those words, one group to another, one person to another, four-part harmony, etc. Anything subordinate to the command to sing is authorized.
However, any co-ordinate is excluded by the authorization to sing. Therefore, activities such as piano playing, organ music, plucking harps, etc., co-ordinates with singing, are excluded by the command to sing.
A common response is: "well, nowhere does the text says not to play an instrument." By the same reasoning, nowhere are we told not to preach from the Koran! We know that such is excluded by the command to preach the gospel. We also know that instrumental music is excluded by the command to sing.
SUMMARY
The Greek word psallo only authorizes vocal praise. The better Greek lexicons are in general agreement of this fact.
Dr. Constantine Carvarnos, in a letter dated February 19, 1976 says the following about the use of psalmos and psallo in the New Testament: "In our judgment, these words denote purely vocal praise. Nowhere in the New Testament is there any mention of the use of musical instruments, or suggestion of their use."
Dr. Cavarnos, at the time of this letter, was working with the Institute For Byzantine And Modern Greek Studies in Belmont, Massachusetts. Who would know Greek better than a Greek, and a scholar of Greek?
Finally, the early church did not use instrumental music for some 300 years! The first introduction of instrumental music into the worship of the church was around the time of Constantine, about 325 A.D.
Historically, linguistically, and hermeneutically, instrumental music is not authorized in the worship of our Father by the church of Jesus Christ! Since it is not authorized, we should not use it
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.