Instrumental Music In Worship Services

 

It is a sin for us to use instrumental music in worship because God has not authorized it in the New Covenant, just as under the old covenant, God did not authorize Nadab and Abihu to use the particular fire that they used in burning incense to Him, as is recorded in the story in Leviticus 10:1-7. It was not fire that God had explicitly told them not to use, but neither was it fire which He authorized them to use. And because they use the unauthorized fire, their worship was not only emphatically rejected, but they were destroyed on the spot! If God hasn’t commanded us to do it, then we should not be doing it!

 

Nadab and Abihu were ordained priests in Israel. Their sudden death by the hand of God is one of the most shocking events in the entire Bible, because these men were the most highly respected men in all Israel, except for their father Aaron and their uncle, Moses.Their death is referred to three times in the Old Testament (Leviticus

10:1-7, Numbers 3:4, Numbers 26:21). These men were killed BY GOD, because the single element of worship which they offered to God was not authorized by Him!

 

Some folks tell us that in the Old Testament musical instruments were used. Romans 15:4 points out that the things that happened under the old covenant were for our learning. We are not commanded not to do it, but neither are we told that we can do it! So which is the safer course of action?

 

The following scriptures authorize singing (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Acts 16:25, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). There is no mention anywhere in the New Testament of instruments being used during the worship service.

 

As an example, God did not tell Noah not to use poplar in the building of the ark, but He did tell him to use gopher wood. That excluded every other kind of wood! The Lord did not tell us that we couldn’t use chicken and dumplings at the Lord’s table, but He did tell us to eat the bread and drink the cup. That excludes everything else which we might substitute! And when He told us to sing, that automatically excluded every other type of music during worship.

 

Some folks tell us that David used instrumental music in the Old Testament. Yes, he did. But David also burnt incense, offered animal sacrifices, and practiced polygamy (more than one wife). So, if David practiced all of this in the Lord’s church, can’t we practice it today? I don’t think so!

 

The instrument is not morally wrong. When used in the home or for entertainment purposes outside the church, it is perfectly acceptable.