There are those in the body of Christ who tell us that the use of instrumental music in worship is a "non-issue." If worship truly is a matter of being "in spirit and truth," as Jesus said it should be (John 4:24), then one would expect to find something in Scripture about what constitutes acceptable worship, the truth of God in how He desires to be worshiped. Of course we do, but it's just that instrumental music isn't mentioned in the worship of the church in Scripture, only singing. This absence in Scripture is interpreted by some as being permissive, allowing instrumental music to be used, based primarily on human desires, not from what Scripture says about music in worship.
However, Scripture is clear that, once something is specified, silence becomes prohibitive, not permissive. For example, God specifically telling Noah to use gopher wood in building the ark (Gen. 6:14) eliminated the use of other types of wood. The Hebrew writer understood this principle as well, in speaking of Jesus as being our high priest under the new covenant, something He could not be under the Law of Moses. "For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests (Heb. 7:14, ASV). The old covenant is silent regarding any tribe other than Levi serving as priests. But silence here is obviously prohibitive, as for Jesus to be our high priest, a new covenant had to be inaugurated. "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Heb. 7:12). Since only vocal music is mentioned in worshiping God in the new covenant (attested by hundreds of years of church history, as well as Scripture), silence on instrumental music is prohibitive.
This is a principle that is not difficult to understand. If I told someone to go buy a loaf of bread, they would be free to buy any type of bread they want. But if I asked them to purchase a loaf of white bread, buying wheat bread instead is not doing what I asked. Why should it be different when it comes to doing what God said in worship? Are there those who want to please themselves instead of God? When it comes to what belongs to God, whether worship, or salvation, or Christian living, we must please Him, not ourselves. Putting human desires before the will of God has never been acceptable to God, whether by Cain (Gen. 4:5), King Saul of Israel (1 Samuel 15:9-11), some in the Churches in Galatia (Gal. 4:5), or others today.
How hard Satan has worked to convince so many that, what one wants will pleasing God, no matter what those desires may be. Many are trying to mold God into their own image, rather than being molded in the image of God (Rom. 12:2). There is a day of Judgement, and those things we feel may be "non-issues" may be very important to God and our salvation then. Jesus winnowed out those who would follow Him as the popular thing to do, rather than the committed thing to do (Luke 14:24-35). What about us today? What does the Lord say to us in His word? Do we accept His authority? Are we listening? It will matter. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).
Robert Johnson, Longview, TX
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
"Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch."
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
"But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."
"But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly." "Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying," "It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night."
"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
"For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them," "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" "Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him," "Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish." "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?" "Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?" "It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
