by R. L. Morrison

All will agree that music is a necessary part of the worship in which God is honored and glorified. However, not all agree on the KIND of music to be used in that worship. Some who read this may be surprised to learn there are those who oppose the use of mechanical instruments in worship. Although the majority of religious people do use them, some use only vocal music in their worship. But there is division among those who use mechanical music also. Some will use only the piano or organ and oppose the use of any other instrument. Others will use any kind of instrument devised by the mind and made by the hand of man. The question of music in worship needs to be studied to determine what kind of music God has prescribed for our use in modern times in our worship of God.

A brief examination of the scriptures will reveal the kind of music required. If one accepts the word of God as the final source of authority, we can easily learn what is to be used. There are ten scriptures in the New Testament which have to do with this subject. Let us consider each of them.

1. and 2. "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives" (Matt. 26:30 and Mark 14:26).

3. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns unto God" (Acts 16:25).

4. "For this cause will I confess thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name" (Romans 15:9).

5. "I will sing with the spirit; I will sing with the understanding also" (1 Cor. 14:15).

6. "Speaking to yourselves with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19).

7. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God" (Col. 3:16).

8. "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee" (Heb. 2:12).

9. "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" (Heb. 13:15).

10. "Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms" (James 5:13).

This is what the New Testament says about music. There is nothing more mentioned or implied in these scriptures than vocal music, or singing. The only instrument involved is the human voice, which is made by God (not man), for man's use.

One of the first objections usually offered is worship under the law of Moses, and David's use of many instruments. However, we neither live nor worship under that law, although this also may seem strange to some. The law of Moses required animal sacrifice. If their use of instruments of music justifies our using them, why does not their offering of animal sacrifice justify our doing so? Yet none who justify instrumental music by the law offer animal sacrifices. Paul taught that Jesus took away the (old) law, nailing it to his cross (Col. 2:14). We are not subject to the old (Mosaical) law today!

Do not think we have overlooked the book of Revelation. We should remember that Revelation is highly symbolic. It does not refer to worship in the church or on earth, where man-made instruments are mentioned. Since heaven is a spiritual realm, we should not assume these things mentioned in Revelation are material in nature, or that such mention authorizes the use of such music in the worship in the church on earth.

Another objection may be worded in this manner: "Well, the Bible does not say not to use instruments." This, of course, is true. There is no scripture that says, "Thou shalt not use mechanical instruments in worship." However, there is a principal involved that should be carefully considered. Suppose you became seriously ill. After an examination your doctor writes a prescription. He, of course, believes the medicine prescribed will heal your body. Of what does that prescription consist? Does the doctor write the names of the many kinds of medicine available which he does NOT want included in the prescription? Of course not. He specifies exactly what kind and amount of medicine is to be used in that prescription. In so doing, he excludes any other kind of medicine, regardless of what it is. It is not necessary to name what he does not want used. And so it is with God's prescription for music in worship. When He said, "SING", He excluded all other kinds of music.

To assist in understanding this principle, consider an Old Testament example. When God commanded Noah to build an ark, He specified "gopher wood" (Gen. 6:14). God also gave instruction regarding the construction of the ark. Noah understood, for: "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he" (vs. 22). Noah believed God. He knew when God said use "gopher wood", all other kinds of wood were excluded. He was restricted to what God had said. And so it is with music today. God said "Sing". Nothing else is acceptable.

The Lord's Supper, another part of worship, is also governed by this principle. Jesus took the unleavened bread and the cup, the fruit of the vine when he instituted this memorial. In so doing, he excluded the roast lamb and the bitter herbs which were also on the Passover table. One can easily see that which is authorized is the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. Many accept this. But if one can add piano or organ to the praise, why not add a bread and meat sandwich to the Lord's Supper? One is as authorized as the other, but the fact is that God's word does not allow either of them. To add to that which is written is to invite the wrath of God and bring upon yourself swift and eternal destruction. Paul wrote (Gal. 1:7-8) that even an angel from heaven has not power or authority to change the gospel preached by the apostles. Certainly, therefore, no man has the right or power to change what they revealed.

When Paul, the apostle, came to Athens, he declared to these idolatrous people the God of heaven. Hear him: "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:24-25). It is true, the passage does not speak of music in worship. But it does set forth a principle that is most certainly involved in the use of mechanical instruments in worship. There is not a man-made instrument of music that DOES NOT require the use of hands to produce music. If so, it is unknown to this writer. But Paul said God is not worshipped with or by men's hands. God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). In spirit means from the heart, or man's spirit bowing in humble submission to God, a Spirit. In truth means as the word of God directs. This does not require or allow the use of the hands rather a submission of the spirit to God. The music God requires is that produced by the human voice, an "instrument " God made. To substitute what man has made for what God requires is to become guilty of trespass or sin.

God's prescription, when followed, enables man to worship acceptably, singing praises to God, teaching, exhorting, and encouraging one another. Such obedience is necessary to eternal salvation. Why not obey God in the music you use in worship?