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Instruments In Worship There can be no denying that the early church sang in worship to God. In a context of collective worship, Paul wrote, “I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Corinthians 14:15) and the Hebrews writer, quoting Jesus, wrote, “In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise” (Hebrews 2:12). Secular writings reveal that singing was a part of their worship as well. The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. 9, says, “From the apostolic age singing was always a part of divine service, in which the whole body of the church joined together.” It is probably no surprise to anyone that singing was a part of worship in the first century, but what may surprise some is that singing was not accompanied by the use of mechanical instruments. In other words, their music was a cappella. They sang, but never played! The New Testament does not mention the use of mechanical instruments in worship. Therefore, we must conclude that such instruments are not part of the divine pattern. When Naaman was commanded to dip in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:10), was he at liberty to dip in the Nile River or Euphrates River instead? No. By specifying the Jordan River, every other river was excluded. The same is true with our music in worship. By specifying singing, every other kind of music is excluded. We are not to hum, drum, strum, pluck, or play. We are simply to offer “the fruit of lips” (Hebrews 13:15). Although the following quotes are not our authority, they do illustrate the fact that mechanical instruments were not part of the divine pattern and faced strong opposition since they were introduced. John Calvin: “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.” Charles Spurgeon: “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.” John Girardeau: “The church, although lapsing more and more into defection from the truth and into a corruption of apostolic practice, had no instrumental music for 1200 years [that is, it was not in general use before this time].” John Wesley: “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels provided they are neither HEARD nor SEEN.” David Benedict (Baptist historian): “Staunch old Baptists in former times would as soon have tolerated the Pope of Rome in their pulpits as an organ in their galleries.” The Catholic Encyclopedia: “Although Josephus tells of the wonderful effects produced in the Temple by the use of instruments, the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice. Clement of Alexandria severely condemns the use of instruments even at Christian banquets.” Joseph Bingham: “Music in churches is as ancient as the apostles but instrumental music not so.” There are several arguments that people make to defend the use of mechanical instruments. Let us consider four of the better arguments.
While
there are other arguments that some make to defend the use of mechanical
instruments, these four are the ones that probably rate the highest in use and
strength. Even they, however, will not survive the scrutiny of examination.
Musical instruments in worship are indefensible! |
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