Instrumental Music Debate Thrasher-Weatherly TNT 2nd Affirmative

Thomas Thrasher Second Affirmative

 

In my first affirmative I demonstrated that the New Testament teaches God’s people are to sing praises to Him, and nowhere authorizes us to play “mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship.” 

Where Is N.T. Authority?   Singing                            Mechanical Instruments   Acts 16:25                                          Where Romans 15:9                                                Is 1 Corinthians 14:15                              The Ephesians 5:19                                    Scripture Colossians 3:16                                         ??? Hebrews 2:12 James 5:13                        In New Testament Worship

 

As a reminder of the teaching of these Bible passages, I will quote them again. Acts 16:25, “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.”  Romans 15:9, “I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.”  1 Corinthians 14:15, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”  Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:16, “Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Hebrews 2:12, “In the midst of the assembly [church] I will sing praise to You.”  James 5:13, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” In each case we find that first century Christians sang, but we never read that they played on mechanical instruments in worship.

Jason responds that “the word ‘sing’ does not exclude the playing of musical instruments.” However, that sidesteps the issue. Every open-minded person knows that “singing” is not “playing” on a mechanical instrument. Singing and playing are two different actions. The definition that I cited for “music” distinguished vocal from instrumental sounds. Singing is not playing, and playing is not singing!  However, the NT authorizes “singing”; it does not authorize “playing”!

Jason says, “What excludes musical instruments … is the term ‘a cappella,’ which means ‘without instrumental accompaniment’ (Webster).” The term a cappella comes from Latin (by way of Italian) and means “in the manner of the church.” The classical form of church music was unaccompanied singing. The addition of mechanical instruments to congregational worship was a later innovation unauthorized by the Scriptures.

My friend cites instances in which he thinks singing included playing upon mechanical instruments. However, he is honestly mistaken. 1 Samuel 18:6-7, “…the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.  And the women answered one another as they played…” How did Jason know that these women played upon mechanical instruments?  Simple.  He knew this because the passage mentioned “instruments of musick” and said they “played”!  He did not know they played from the fact that they were singing!  Singing and playing upon instruments of music are not the same action.

Similarly, Jason cites Revelation 5:8-9; 14:2-3; and 15:2-3. He states: “Three times … we are told of those holding harps.” See the point again?  Jason did not know that instruments were involved until the harps were mentioned. The “singing” did not includes harps. The harps were in addition to the singing!

By the way, some erroneously conclude that harps may be used in NT worship because, it is claimed, harps will be in heaven. Allow me to point out that the things in heaven are not identical to the things in the church. For example, Jesus taught that there will be no marriage in heaven (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25). Does that mean that there should be no marriage TODAY? If instrumental music in heaven (assuming it will be there) proves that instrumental music should be used in worship today, then why wouldn’t the fact that there will be no marriage in heaven prove that we should have no marriage today?    

My opponent refers to James 5:13 and he comments, “The context of James 5:13 is not dealing with the church assembly, but with the individual Christian life.” Actually, I do not disagree with my friend. However, this is no argument against my affirmation, because the proposition does not specify a “church assembly”! The proposition states: “The Bible teaches that the use of mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship is without Divine authority.” NT worship might be in a church assembly, but it might also be individual worship outside of a church assembly (e.g., Acts 16:25). The NT authorizes singing in worship (whether congregational or individual), but it does not authorize playing upon mechanical instruments of music in worship (either congregational or individual)!

Jason introduces another weak argument relating to James 5:13-14: “If ‘sing psalms’ in verse 13 excludes playing instruments, does ‘let them pray over him’ indicate that if a Christian goes to a doctor they ‘transgress the doctrine of Christ’ (2 John 9)”? Answer: The latter expression does not exclude going to a doctor for the simple reason that the Lord approved a sick person’s doing that (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31)! So we ought to take all that God’s word teaches about that subject.  I have cited several verses that authorize singing in NT worship (e.g., Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16); however, what other verse shows that we ought to play upon mechanical instruments of music “in New Testament worship”?  I have several verses showing a sick person is authorized to go to a doctor, but Jason has no verse showing that he is authorized to play mechanical instruments in NT worship! Consequently, my opponent does “transgress … the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9) by adding such instruments to NT worship. This is a serious matter, since one who does that “hath not God”! 

In my first affirmative I introduced the following chart to illustrate the difference between generic and specific commands. With reference to 2 Kings 5:10-14, Jason stated: “I will agree that Naaman was specifically told to dip ‘in Jordan’”; however, my friend neglects to apply that principle to the issue I was illustrating. Since the Jordan River was specified in the instructions, would Naaman have been authorized to generalize that to some other body of water?  The correct answer is “No!”  In fact, Naaman at first suggested some other rivers (Abana and Pharpar); however, it was not until he did precisely what God said (“wash in Jordan seven times”) that Naaman’s leprosy was cleansed.  Similarly, when God specifies “singing” (e.g., Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), then that’s what we must do to please Him. We have no authority to generalize to whatever kind of music we want (e.g., piano, organ, guitar). 

Generic or Specific?    Command                        Generic          Specific   Build Ark                               Wood                      Gopher  Genesis 6:14                                          Wash                                    Water              Jordan 2 Kings 5:10-14                                     Go Wash                                   Water                  Siloam       John 9:7 Sing                                              Music                     Sing Colossians 3:16         Ephesians 5:19

 

My opponent disagrees, however, with my statement that “gopher wood” was specific when God told Noah to “make thee an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14). Jason wrote, “Commentators have struggled for over a century concerning what species of wood ‘gopher wood’ was.”  He has again missed the point.  It doesn’t really matter if we know what species “gopher wood” was; it only matters that Noah knew so that he could obey God’s command! Whatever “species” was specified by the term “gopher wood,” that’s what Noah was to use, not some other kind of wood!  Noah did all that God commanded (Genesis 6:22), so he used gopher wood.  Similarly, when we follow God’s instructions regarding NT worship, we will “sing”! That’s what God has specified.  If another kind of music (mechanical instrumental music) is authorized, where is the verse from God’s book? 

Jason argued that the use of the word “psalm” requires a mechanical instrument of music. However, that is not true!  For example, during a public debate I had 35 years ago, we sang the psalm “Hallelujah Praise Jehovah,” the words of which are taken from Psalm 148. We sang a psalm, but we did not play upon a mechanical instrument of music.  Consequently, it is possible to sing a psalm without a mechanical instrument—we did it! 

Furthermore, according to the NT a mechanical instrument certainly is not required by the word psalm. Ephesians 5:19 states: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Note that when we sing psalms we are speaking to ourselves. We are also “making melody,” but we are doing it “in our heart,” not on a mechanical instrument of music! Colossians 3:16 states: “Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  When we sing psalms we are teaching and admonishing one another. We are doing it “in our hearts,” not on a mechanical instrument of music!  This also answers Jason’s assertion that “psalm” in 1 Corinthians 14:26 necessitates a mechanical instrument. His assertion is false!

My friend refers to several lexicographers and commentators on the meanings of Greek words (e.g., psalmos). However, he makes a serious error by assuming that a word retains exactly the same meaning throughout its entire history. Every thinking person knows that words often change meanings over a period of time. For example, consider the word “gay” (James 2:3). The word translated gay in the KJV means shining, splendid, fine.  However, the word “gay” now refers to a homosexual, not at all the meaning in James 2:3!

Similarly, Greek lexicons will often give several meanings over the history of the word. For example, the meaning of a word in Classical Greek is often not the same as the meaning in Koine Greek. That’s why we must distinguish Classical Greek lexicons from NT Greek lexicons, which Jason has failed to do.  Using Thayer on psallo as an example: “a. to pluck off, pull out; b. to cause to vibrate by touching, to twang; to touch or strike the chord, to twang the strings of a musical instrument so that they gently vibrate … in the N.T. to sing a hymn, to celebrate the praises of God in song …” (p. 675).

Other lexicons that define psallo in the NT as sing rather than play upon mechanical instruments:

Green: “Psallo … in New Testament, to sing praises.”

Bagster: “Psallo … in New Testament, to sing praises.”

Robinson: “Psallo … in New Testament, to sing, and construed with a dative of person, to sing in honor or in praise of any one, to sing praises to, to celebrate in song.”

Abbott-Smith: “Psallo … in New Testament, to sing a hymn, sing praise.”

Analytical Greek Lexicon: “Psallo … in the New Testament, to sing praises.”

I was disappointed that Jason, referring to Ephesians 5:19, asserted that “‘make music’ authorizes musical instruments.”  The truth is that Ephesians 5:19 specifies that “making melody” is done “in your heart”!  Nothing is said about making music on a mechanical instrument. 

I argued that the NT specifies the elements in the Lord’s supper, and we have no authority for any other elements than those specified.

Where Is N.T. Authority?   Bread & Fruit of the Vine          Roast Lamb   Matthew 26:26-29                              Where Mark 14:22-25                                       Is Luke 22:17-20                                      The 1 Corinthians 10:16                             Scripture 1 Corinthians 11:23-28                             ???                          In The Lord’s Supper

 

Jason agreed with this principle. He recognizes that “unleavened bread (Matt. 26:17, 26) and fruit of the vine (Matt. 26:27-29)” are the elements authorized for the Lord’s supper. Adding another element (such as roast lamb) is unauthorized. However, he is inconsistent because he adds instrumental music to NT worship when only singing is authorized. Why would anyone want to add playing mechanical instruments to NT worship rather than simply doing what the Bible authorizes (i.e. sing)?

I strongly recommend that we have the same attitude as the noble Bereans who “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). I invite your attention to my friend’s next denial.



Instrumental Music Debate Thrasher-Weatherly JLW 1st Neg

Weatherly’s First Negative

          It is a privilege to examine the teaching of my friend, Dr. Thomas Thrasher. Thomas basically made THREE arguments in his affirmative: (1) “Where is NT Authority?” (2) “Generic and Specific Terms,” and (3) “Singing is the only kind of music authorized in NT worship.”

 

          Thomas introduced the argument of “generic and specific authority.” Thomas appealed to both Noah and Naaman as examples of “specific authority.” I will agree that Naaman was specifically told to dip “in Jordan,” however, I am not sure that “gopher wood” is as specific as Thomas thinks. Commentators have struggled for over a century concerning what species of wood “gopher wood” was. Terms like “oak, cedar, pine, etc.” are generic terms. “White pine,” “yellow pine,” “Southern pine” are the more specific terms. The “gopher wood” argument is weak indeed. The same is true with the word “sing.” Thomas stated:

 

“Singing is specific with respect to the kind of music...”

 

However, it is interesting that Webster (Thomas’ source) DID NOT use the term “singing” in defining the word “music!” Webster used the specific term “vocal” which means “uttered by the voice!” “Singing” IS NOT a specific term! Singing can be accompanied or unaccompanied and NOT violate the meaning of the term! No one would think it strange if a person said, “I’m going to sing you a song” and then all of the sudden they played the guitar while they sang. If the electric sign in front of our church building read, “Singing Sunday 7pm” no one in their right mind would think, “Huh, those Pentecostals must have gotten rid of their musical instruments.” “Sing” is generic, not specific.

 

          One definition of “sing” is “2. To vocalize songs or selections” (American Heritage/Yahoo), but another definition is “4. To produce sounds when played: made the violin sing.” By definition, the word “sing” does not exclude the playing of musical instruments! What excludes musical instruments from the word “singing” is the term “a cappella,” which means “without instrumental accompaniment” (Webster). Thomas and his brethren understand this because they qualify that their singing is “a cappella” on their websites. If “singing” automatically excludes musical instruments, then why must they qualify it with the term “a cappella”?

 

          The problem is Thomas reads the Bible with jaundiced eyes. So every time Thomas sees “sing” he thinks it means “a cappella singing,” but “a cappella” isn’t found anywhere in the Bible. Even in the Bible “sing” does not exclude musical instruments! In 1 Samuel 21:11, Achish said, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not SING of him in dances, saying, Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands.” Thomas would have you believe that the word “sing” in this passage excluded the playing of musical instruments. However, if you look at 1 Samuel 18:6-7, you will see that the women came out “singing and dancing” with tabrets and instruments of music and as they PLAYED they said “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” So the word “SING” in 1 Sam. 21:11 didn’t exclude musical instruments, in fact it included BOTH the vocal utterance and the playing of musical instruments! In Exodus 15:20-21, the women went out with timbrels, and Miriam said unto them, “SING ye to the LORD.” Just because Miriam said, “Sing” and not “sing and play,” did not exclude those women from playing their timbrels! In fact, “sing” INCLUDED the idea of playing their timbrels, because “sing” is a generic term! Even in the NT, “sing” does not exclude the playing of musical instruments. Three times in Revelation (Rev. 5:8-9; 14:2-3; 15:2-3) we are told of those holding harps, who “sing” a song before the throne. The fact that John used the term “sing” (ado) DID NOT exclude the playing of musical instruments. In fact, it included it! Thomas went on to state:

 

“However, when God specified singing in NT worship, then playing upon mechanical instruments was excluded as an addition to God’s word.”

 

          I’ve already shown that “singing” in both the OT and NT did not exclude the playing of musical instruments, but let’s consider Thomas’ argument here. In other words, Thomas is saying that a passage such as James 5:13, “…Is any merry? let him sing psalms,” that “sing psalms” would exclude the playing of musical instruments. Well, if that were the case, then what else would James 5:13 exclude? Notice, the context of James 5:13 is not dealing with the church assembly, but with the individual Christian life. If Thomas wants to challenge that this is talking about the church assembly, then he will have to allow solo singing during the worship service because James said, “Let HIM (singular) sing psalms.” Nothing is said about the congregation singing! Again, this is talking about the individual Christian life. So James said, “Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” If “sing psalms” excludes playing musical instruments, would it also exclude whistling or humming? Is Thomas willing to tell us that if a Christian is cheerful, James 5:13 would exclude them from whistling or humming or smiling or anything else other than “sing psalms”? If James 5:13 excludes musical instruments, then it would exclude them in the Christian’s walk! This would be a total exclusion to musical instruments! This would mean that Christians could not play musical instruments in school band or the privacy of their home!

 

          James 5:13 also says, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray…” Does “let him pray” exclude Christians from seeking counseling if they are afflicted? I think Thomas would say, “No.” James 5:14 says, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” If “sing psalms” in verse 13 excludes playing instruments, does “let them pray over him” in verse 14 exclude Christians from going to the doctor? Does “let them pray over him” indicate that if a Christian goes to a doctor they “transgress the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9) by “adding to” the word of God (Revelation 22:18)? Again, I’m sure Thomas will say it does not. Well, if “let him pray” (James 5:13a) doesn’t exclude seeking counseling and “let them pray over him” (James 5:14) doesn’t exclude going to doctors, then how in the world can someone say that “let him sing psalms” (James 5:13b) excludes musical instruments? That doctrine is as inconsistent as can be!

 

          A major error to all this is when Thomas says “God specified singing” as if God breathed the English Bible. “Sing,” “sing praise,” and “sing psalms” are all English translations from the original. So, what needs to be determined is, did the English translators mean to express that musical instruments were excluded by their translations of “sing praise” or “sing psalms”? Young’s Literal Translation of James 5:13 states “let him sing psalms.” Thomas would want you to believe that because Dr. Young translated this “sing psalms” that this excludes musical instruments, but this absolutely is not the case! Dr. Young in his Analytical Concordance to the Bible, p. 893 defined “sing psalms” as “to sing praise with a musical instrument.” So, again we see that “sing psalms” does not exclude musical instruments, in fact to the English translator “sing psalms” included the idea of musical instruments!

 

          One thing that Thomas has overlooked in his assessment of NT worship is that Christians are encouraged to “admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16/Ephesians 5:19). What is a psalm? Joseph Thayer (p. 675), who was a translator of the ASV, defined a “psalm” as:

 

“a striking, twanging; spec. a striking the chords of a musical instrument; hence a pious song, a psalm, Eph. v.19; Col. iii.16.”

 

J.B. Lightfoot, another translator of the ASV, in Epistle to Colossians, p. 233 said:

 

“… the leading idea of psalmos is a musical accompaniment…”

 

Richard Trench (another ASV translator), Synonyms of the New Testament, p. 285 stated that a “psalm” was a “song sung with this musical accompaniment.” Three different translators of the ASV all defined a “psalm” a “song with musical accompaniment!” The translators of the American Standard Version understood Colossians 3:16, “admonish one another in psalms” as being a reference to playing musical instruments! When Paul instructed Christians to admonish one another in PSALMS, a psalm is a “song sung to musical accompaniment.” That is Biblical authority for musical instruments in NT worship!

 

          The first converts in Ephesus were Jews (Acts 19:1-6). Those Jewish converts would understand the term “psalm” by its normal usage from the OT (LXX). Consider Thomas’ illustration of Communion. Thomas indicated that “bread” and “fruit of the vine” are authorized in the Lord’s Supper, but roast lamb is not. Apparently Thomas understands that the NT authority of “bread” and “fruit of the vine” is based upon what was previously established in the OT Passover. Not just any bread will do for Communion. You cannot eat Wonder Bread or Mrs. Baird’s and scripturally observe Communion! The type of bread authorized for Communion is what was previously established in the OT as unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8)! The same is true with “fruit of the vine.” You cannot take tomato juice or blueberry juice just because they grow on a vine! Rather “blood” and “fruit of the vine” are terms previously established in the OT in reference to the pure (fermented) “blood of the grapes” (Deuteronomy 32:14; Isaiah 32:12 LXX)!

 

          When we take Thomas’ advice and “apply the same principle to music in worship” we find that Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19 authorize “psalms” in NT worship, yet the meaning of “psalms” was already established in the OT (LXX) as a “song sung to musical accompaniment” (Job 21:12; Psalm 71:22; Amos 5:23).

 

 

We see from a passage such as 1 Corinthians 14:26 that when early Christians “came together” as an assembly that “psalms” i.e. “a song sung to musical accompaniment” were in ordinary use. Thus we see that Thomas is absolutely wrong in his claim that “the New Testament … nowhere authorizes us to use ‘mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship’” or that First Century Christians “did not practice it.” Musical instruments in worship are authorized by the Scriptures and were in fact used by First Century Christians.

 

          The height of Thomas’ error is when he claimed that “Singing is the Only Kind of Music God has Authorized in N.T. Worship!” and dared to list Ephesians 5:19! Ephesians 5:19 (NIV) states “…Sing AND make music in your heart to the Lord.” “Sing” is not the ONLY action authorized in Ephesians 5:19! Both “sing” AND “make music” are authorized! “Sing” AND “make music” are TWO actions, not one! Thomas has already conceded that “make music” authorizes musical instruments!

 

“If God had only said, ‘Make music [generic] in NT worship,’ then a piano, organ, or guitar would have been included in the generic command.” (p. 4-5)

 

“Make music” is exactly what Ephesians 5:19 says! Thomas has acknowledged that “make music” includes playing a piano, organ or guitar! That’s NT authority for musical instruments in worship!

 

          In the remaining space, I too want to emphasize the importance of this discussion. The warning against “adding to” the word of God also warns against “taking away” from the word (Revelation 22:19). Those who “excluded” Christians from eating certain meats that God had authorized were labeled as teaching “doctrines of devils” (1Timothy 4:1-3). Anyone who excludes something that was authorized by the apostles (in this case musical instruments) does not truly serve the Lord Jesus (Romans 16:17-18). We must “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). I look forward to Thomas’ response.

Instrumental Music Debate Thrasher/Weatherly TNT 1st Affirm

Eighteen years ago today, Dr. Thrasher and I debated each other for the first time on the issue of Instrumental Music in the Church. Today I present Dr. Thrasher's First Affirmative in our 2012 written debate on the same subject.

 

Thomas Thrasher First Affirmative

 

 

My friend Jason and I, along with all who read this discussion, are blessed with the privilege to study what the Bible teaches. This is especially significant in view of the Bible’s warning: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9, NKJV).

As I begin my affirmation of the proposition (“The Bible teaches that the use of mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship is without Divine authority.”), it is my duty to identify the issue so that we all understand the point of contention. The standard for evaluating the arguments offered by Jason and me is the Bible, God’s inspired truth—especially the New Testament of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:15; 12:24). The Old Testament Law has been “nailed … to the cross” (Colossians 2:14); it “is taken away in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14); those “who attempt to be justified by” it “have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). There has been a “change of the law” by God’s design (Hebrews 7:12).

Consequently, I will demonstrate that the New Testament teaches God’s people are to sing praises to Him (e.g., Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 16:25), and nowhere authorizes us to use “mechanical instruments of music in New Testament worship”!  To clarify, “mechanical instruments” include such things as a piano, organ, guitar, trumpet, violin, harp, or other devices that produce music. “Music” is defined as “the art and science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds or tones in varying melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre, especially so as to form structurally complete and emotionally expressive compositions” (Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language, 1976, p. 1184).

The New Testament establishes the principle that we should practice only those things that are authorized.  1 Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God….”  Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 

New Testament authority is complete! We have all truth (John 16:13; 14:26). We have all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). We are to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

Furthermore, we are limited to what has been revealed! We must not accept the preaching of a so-called apostle or angel in place of it (Galatians 1:6-9). We must not exalt any man above it (1 Corinthians 4:6). We must not transgress it (2 John 9). We must not add to or take away from it (Revelation 22:18-19).

To illustrate this idea, let us examine New Testament authority as it relates to the elements in the Lord’s Supper

 

Where Is N.T. Authority?

 

Bread & Fruit of the Vine          Roast Lamb

 

Matthew 26:26-29                              Where

Mark 14:22-25                                       Is

Luke 22:17-20                                      The

1 Corinthians 10:16                             Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:23-28                             ???

 

                       In The Lord’s Supper

Remembering the Lord’s death in the manner He commanded requires eating the bread and drinking the fruit of the vine: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Every passage mentioning the elements of the Lord’s Supper specifies the bread and the cup (that is, the fruit of the vine).

I contend, therefore, that we are limited to these elements specified by the Lord. We would not be authorized to add or substitute roast lamb or some other element. Jason accepts this principle. In Question #4 I asked, “What elements are authorized for use in the Lord's Supper?” Jason answered, “Unleavened bread (Matt. 26:17, 26) and fruit of the vine (Matt. 26:27-29).”

However, when we apply the same principle to music in worship, what do we find?  Singing is the only kind of music God has authorized in New Testament worship!

 

Where Is N.T. Authority?

 

Singing                            Mechanical Instruments

 

Acts 16:25                                          Where

Romans 15:9                                                Is

1 Corinthians 14:15                              The

Ephesians 5:19                                    Scripture

Colossians 3:16                                         ???

Hebrews 2:12

James 5:13

 

                     In New Testament Worship

 

Acts 16:25, “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.”  Romans 15:9, “I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.”  1 Corinthians 14:15, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”  Ephesians 5:19, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  Colossians 3:16, “Teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Hebrews 2:12, “In the midst of the assembly [church] I will sing praise to You.”  James 5:13, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”  In each case we find the first century Christians sang, but we never read that they played on mechanical instruments in worship.

One important distinction that people often fail to make is between generic and specific authority.

Generic or Specific?

 

 Command                        Generic          Specific

 

Build Ark                               Wood                      Gopher 

Genesis 6:14                                         

Wash                                    Water              Jordan

2 Kings 5:10-14                                    

Go Wash                                   Water                  Siloam      

John 9:7

Sing                                              Music                     Sing

Colossians 3:16

        Ephesians 5:19            

When God commanded Noah to build the ark, He did not give him a general command to make the ark out of wood. If He had done that, then Noah would have been authorized to use any kind of wood (e.g., oak, cedar, redwood, gopher, etc.). However, what God commanded was “make yourself an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14). God’s command was specific as to the kind of wood to be used. Therefore, Noah was not authorized to use oak, cedar, redwood, or any other kind of wood besides “gopher wood”! A generic (or general) command authorizes any kind within the category (“wood”), but a specific command authorizes only the particular kind indicated (“gopher wood”). When Noah followed God’s directions (including using gopher wood as opposed to some other kind of wood), the Bible states: “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (Genesis 6:22; cf. 7:5).

Similarly, God’s prophet Elisha told Naaman the leper, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10). The place to wash was specific (the Jordan River), not generic (water). This is confirmed when Naaman proposed washing in some other water (the Abanah or the Pharpar). These were not authorized in Elisha’s command. If the command had been simply “go wash in water” (a generic command: “water”), the Abanah or Pharpar would have been authorized. However, the command specified “Jordan,” so no other water was authorized for this washing. It was not until Naaman “went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God” (5:14) that his leprosy was cleansed. Naaman had no right to generalize what God’s messenger had specified!

Likewise, with regard to N.T. worship, God has authorized us to “sing” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; etc.), as we have already seen. Singing is specific with respect to the kind of music; playing upon a mechanical instrument is another kind of music. If God had only said, “Make music [generic] in NT worship,” then a piano, organ, or guitar would have been included in the generic command. However, when God specified singing in NT worship, then playing upon mechanical instruments was excluded as an addition to God’s word (2 John 9; Revelation 22:18).

The Lord observed concerning the worship that some people offer, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). The Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, has repeatedly condemned the practice of adding to God’s law. Deuteronomy 4:2, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Numbers 22:18, “Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.’”  Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Revelation 22:18-19, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Consequently, we must not add pianos, organs, guitars, trumpets, and other mechanical instruments of music to the singing authorized in New Testament worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 16:25)!  To transgress the doctrine of Christ is sin! 2 John 9, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.” 1 John 3:4, “Sin is the transgression of the law.”

Lest some think that adding mechanical instruments (without NT authority!) is a minor matter, let me remind us of a few Bible events that overthrow this notion. “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1-2). Violating God’s command was punished severely! Disobedience was not a little matter! When the ark of the covenant was being transported on a cart instead of the manner that God had commanded, the Bible records, “When they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it [contrary to God’s instructions!], for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6-7). God’s response demonstrates Uzzah’s violation was a serious matter!

Singing is the Only Kind of Music

God Has Authorized in N.T. Worship!

 

Acts 16:25                               Singing

Romans 15:9                                   Sing      

1 Corinthians 14:15                        Sing      

Ephesians 5:19                        Singing                      

Colossians 3:16                        Singing

Hebrews 2:12                          Sing

James 5:13                              Sing

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”—Hebrews 13:15

Consequently, if we are conscientious about serving the Lord acceptably and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), we should sing in our worship to God and not play upon mechanical instruments of music that have been added without His authority.