[Biblemat] X-SPAM Mechanical Music In Worship

[kenneth Thomas]

Mechanical Instruments of Music In Worship
By Kenneth E. Thomas
The use of instruments of music in worship is not apostolic ,and the
apostles were "guided into all truth" by the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-13).
The first century churches of Christ settled doctrinal problems by appealing
to "the apostles’ doctrine" (Acts 2:42). When some would have bound parts of
the Law of Moses on followers of Christ, the apostles reminded them that "..
to whom we (apostles ket) gave no such commandment!"(Acts 15:24b). This
statement proves at least two points: (1). A teaching or practice which
doesn’t have apostolic authority behind it is sinful to engage in (John
12:48; 1 John 3:4; 2 John 9-10; Galatians 1:6-9; Romans 16;16-18; Revelation
22:18-19). (2). We must respect the silence of the scriptures as well as
where they speak (1 Peter 4:11; Hebrews 7:14)!
Since the apostles were as noted, "guided into all truth", and since through
a knowledge of that body of revealed truth we are given, "all things
pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3) and since they say nothing
that authorizes the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, those
so doing are adding to the divine revelation and stand condemned for so
doing. Furthermore, the New Testament is said to be "the perfect law of
liberty" in James 1:25. To add to that which is "perfect" is but to corrupt
the same! If not, please tell me why not?
There is a principle concerning how to establish authority which says, "The
specific command to do a certain thing eliminates the doing of everything
but that which is specified." Every passage in the New Testament where music
is under consideration specifies "singing" "speaking" and "teaching."(Matt.
26:30; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 2:12;
Heb 13:15; James 5:13). Not one scholar in translating from the Greek into
English translated the Greek Psallo as "play" or "make music," rather they
translated it "sing". 
Some Voices From History
From reading the history of music in the worship of those professing to be
Christians, mechanical instruments of music in worship was introduced in
about 670 A.D. Even then it met with much opposition since the New Testament
Scriptures were silent as to their use. However as noted above the
Scriptures did "speak" of music in worship but they specified "SINGING".
Singing is vocal and playing is instrumental. We must limit ourselves (if we
would please Christ) to that which His word authorizes (2 John 9-11;
Revelation 22:18-19; Jude 1:3).
The quotes that I shall use to bolster my case against the use of mechanical
instruments of music in worship are not cited as authority (the Scriptures
are the standard) but these men were recognized as scholars in their
respective denominations and widely read by many others (even to this good
day) and their commentaries are still used by many as aids to their study of
the Scriptures. These quotes are interesting also due to the fact that the
denominations with which they were affiliated did in fact employ the use of
mechanical instruments of music in their assemblies and still do in most
cases. However, you will notice one exception as you follow along.
Adam Clark, recognized by many as a distinguished Methodist scholar, made
the following comments concerning Amos 6:5 (Clark’s Commentary, Vol, IV, p.
684): "...The use of such instruments of music, in the Christian Church, is
without the sanction and against the will of God; that they are subversive
of the spirit of true devotion, and that they are sinful."..."I am an old
man, and an old minister; and I here declare that I never knew them
productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe
that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and
admire; but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor.
This is the abuse of music; and I hereby register my protest against all
such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity."
John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church said: "I have no objection to
instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor
seen."-(Clark’s Commentary, Vol. IV., p.686.)
John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian Church (John Calvin’s commentary,
23rd Psalm): "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be
no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and
the restoration of other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have
foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews."
Charles H. Spurgeon, preached to 20.000 people every Sunday for 20 years in
the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle in London in the 1800s and never were
mechanical instruments of music used in these services. When asked why, he
quoted 1 Corinthians 14:15. "I will pray with the spirit, and I will also
pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also
sing with the understanding " He then declared "I would as soon pray to God
with machinery as to sing to God with machinery." (M.C. Kurfees, p. 196)
Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran Church, opposed the use of
instruments in worship (McClintock & Strong, Vol. VI, p. 762). He called the
organ "an ensign of Baal." An ensign is a flag, banner, sign, signal or
badge. Luther called the organ a banner of idolatry, a sign or signal of sin
" (Seek The Old Paths p. 26 April 07).
John Knox, a Presbyterian preacher called the organ "a kist (chest) of
whistles." (McClintock & Strong, Vol VI, p. 762).
W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, both of the Church of England commented on
Ephesians 5:19 by saying: "Throughout the whole passage there is a contrast
implied between the Heathen and the Christian practice...When you meet, let
your enjoyment consist not in fulness of wine, but fulness of the Spirit;
let your songs be, not the drinking songs of heathen feasts, but psalms and
hymns; and the accompaniment, not the music of the lyre, but the melody of
the heart; while you sing them to the praise not of Baccus or Venus, but of
the Lord Jesus Christ." (Life and Epistles of St. Paul, Vo. II, p. 408).
J. H. Garrison, a member of the "Christian Church" said: "There is no
command in the New Testament, Greek or English, commanding the use of the
instrument, Such a command would be entirely out of harmony with the New
Testament". (Seek The Old Paths by Garland M. Robinson, p. 26, 4/07).
Lyman Coleman, a Presbyterian scholar commented: "It is generally admitted
that the primitive Christians employed no instrumental music in their
Christian worship. Neither Ambrose, nor Basil, nor Chrysostom, in the noble
encomiums (high praise) which they severally pronounce upon music, make any
mention of instrumental music. Basil condemns it as ministering only to the
depraved passion of men. Musical accompaniments were gradually introduced;
but can hardly be assigned to a period earlier than the fifth or sixth
centuries. Organs were unknown in the church until the eighth or ninth
century. Previous to this they had their place in theater rather than in the
church. They were never regarded with favor in the Eastern Church, and were
vehemently opposed in many places in the West." (IBID).
Joseph Bingham, who was of the Church of England: "...music in the church is
as ancient as the apostles, but instrumental music is not." (IBID).
John Giradeau, a Presbyterian professor wrote that the Church, :"although
lapsing more and more into defection from the truth and into corruption of
apostolic practice, had no instrumental music for twelve hundred years."
(IBID)
There Are At Least Four Forms of Worship
It should be understood first of all, that one may not worship God except
that one be "in Christ" where all spiritual blessings reside (Eph. 1:3).
That the state of being "in Christ"and of being "in His church" are
identical states or relationships (Eph. 2:13-16). God is only glorified
through Christ in the church (Eph. 3:20-21; John 14:6). One who is still in
Satan’s kingdom may not address Christ or the Father until his relationship
is changed by virtue of "being born again" (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5; Acts
22:16; Col. 1:13-14; Acts 2:22-38, 41, 47).
As we begin to consider "four forms of worship", it should be recognized
that all but one which we shall deal with are not acceptable to God even
though they are referred to as worship. The one acceptable worship of course
being, "TRUE WORSHIP!"
 
1). Ignorant Worship, The people in Athens, Greece fell into this category.
They were ignorant of the "one true God" and of His only begotten Son. This
is where the apostle Paul began his sermon. Its easy to understand why as
one reads John 17:3, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." And so Paul’s soul
stirring sermon of (Acts 17:22-34).
"22: Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens,
I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23: For as I passed
by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO
THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto
you. 24: 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; 25:
Neither is worshiped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing
he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26: And hath made of one
blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27: That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and
find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28: For in him we live,
and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said,
For we are also his offspring. 29: Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of
God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or
stone, graven by art and man's device. 30: And the times of this ignorance
God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in
righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given
assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 32: And
when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others
said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33: So Paul departed from
among them. 34: Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the
which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others
with them."
2). Vain Worship, (Matthew 15:1-9; 2 John 9). The religious leaders among
the Jews often supplanted that which was enjoined upon those living under
that dispensation with their own ideas and traditions rather than complying
to what Moses and the prophets actually bound upon them. They were quite apt
at finding so called loopholes in the Law. Read along with me from our text:
"1: Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem,
saying, 2: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for
they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3: But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God by your tradition? 4: For God commanded, saying, Honour
thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die
the death. 5: But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother,
It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6: And honour
not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the
commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7: Ye hypocrites, well
did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8: This people draweth nigh unto me with
their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from
me. 9: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men."
3). Will Worship, (Colossians 2:16-23; 2 John 9). Will worship comes to pass
when people do what they wish to do and reject what God has demanded.
Therefore, it too involves teaching the commandments and traditions of men
ahead of what God’s word teaches. I like the way Foy E. Wallace, Jr. Was
fond of expressing "will worship." He said when people do what they wish to
do in worship to God rather than what He has authorized or what pleases Him,
it doesn’t fall far short of self worship." 
"16: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of
an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17: Which are a
shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18: Let no man beguile
you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels,
intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his
fleshly mind, 19: And not holding the Head, from which all the body by
joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together,
increaseth with the increase of God. 20: Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ
from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye
subject to ordinances, 21: (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22: Which all
are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23: Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility,
and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

4). True Worship, (John 4:23-24;1 John 1:6-7; 2 John 8-11). True worship
remember can only be engaged in by those who by virtue of having a right
relationship with Deity, do only those things which Deity has authorized. 
"23: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship
the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship
him. 24: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth."
"6: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie
 and do not the truth: 7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light
 we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin."
"8: Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought,
but that we receive a full reward. 9: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine
of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10: If there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither
bid him God speed: 11: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his
evil deeds."
Instrumental Music In Worship Is Sinful
There are several reasons why instruments of music are sinful in worship,
the main reason being it is an unauthorized practice and an innovation of
uninspired men which goes beyond the teaching or doctrine of Christ. Also
it:
(1). It does not respect the silence of the Scriptures. (2). Its use
violates the principle of walking by faith. (3). It promotes division among
followers and would be followers of Jesus Christ contrary to his prayer for
unity. (4). Finally it destroys the fundamental principle of worship. We
must worship according to the truth.
Two Old Testament examples should ever be kept in mind when considering
whether or not to honor what God has authorized , Cain and Abel (Genesis
4:1-7). Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3). See Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians
10:1-7,11).
 
Kenneth E. Thomas
Pekin church of Christ
1451 Valle Vista Blvd.
Pekin, IL 61554
1 (309) 347-3582 - Office
1 (309) 347-5645 - Home
 
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