Jesus said that true worship
must be "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). This means that it is
both internal and external. It must consist of the right attitude (spirit) and
it must be according to divine revelation (truth). When either is missing,
worship is in "vain" (Matthew 15:9).
The early Christians sang in
worship (1 Corinthians 14:15). Their instrument was the heart (Ephesians
5:19). It was not until the seventh century that mechanical instruments were
introduced by Pope Vitalian (A.D. 666). At that time, they faced stiff
opposition which continued for some time. "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 the other shadows of
the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many
other things, from the Jews" (John Calvin, Calvin's Commentary, Psalm 33,
p. 539). "What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the
whole congregation by the theatrical prettinesses of a quartette, the refined
niceties of a choir, or the blowing off of wind from inanimate bellows and
pipes! We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it" (Charles
Spuregon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 1, Psalm 42, p. 272). "Staunch old
Baptists in former times would as soon have tolerated the Pope of Rome in
their pulpits as an organ in their galleries" (David Benedict, 50 Years
Among the Baptists, p. 283). "I have no objection to instruments of music
in our chapels provided they are neither HEARD nor SEEN" (John Wesley,
Clarke's Commentary, Amos 6, p. 684). "The organ in worship in the
insignia of Baal" (Martin Luther, McClintock & Strong's
Encyclopedia,
Vol. 4, p. 762).
Some argue that since
mechanical instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament, they can be used in
worship today. However, we are not under that law (Colossians 2:14). Our
authority must come from the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1-2), which does not
sanction mechanical instruments.