Email Us
Find a
Congregation Near You!
Why We Do Not Use an Instrument of Music
Stacy Dean Crim
Often we are asked by friends, family, and neighbors why we do not use an instrument of music in our worship. This is a good question and one that we are willing and able to give Biblical answer to at this time. (I Peter 3:15)
We do not refrain from using an instrument just to be different. We do not refrain because we do not like instruments, nor do we refrain because we cannot afford one. The true reason for our restraint is that God has not authorized the use of an instrument of music in worship unto Him.
All that we practice must be done in the name of Lord. (Colossians 3:17) Since God did not tell us to use one, we do not have the right to assume that we can. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 "We walk by faith and not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) Therefore where God has not spoken we do not have the authority to act.Many cite the use of instruments by the Jews in the Old Testament. While this is so, we refrain from using them today because of passages like Hebrews 9:16-17, Colossians 2:14 and Galatians 3:24-25. These passages clearly teach that we no longer live under the first law (old law), but under the new law (testament) of Christ. The New Testament passages are our authority for acceptable worship today, and not the practices of the Jews under the old law.
Many cite history to prove that most had rejected the use of an instrument in worship until recent centuries, but history while helpful is not our source for approval. God’s Word alone is our guide.
What we DO FIND within the New Testament Word of God is a number of passages that authorize the practice of singing in worship to God. None of these passages authorize any use of an instrument of music. Only singing is authorized. Consider the following.
Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
James 5:13: "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms."
Hebrews 2:12: "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto theeRomans 15:9: "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
1 Corinthians 14:15: "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."
Is there a passage, which gives one the right to use an instrument of music in worship? No. In each of these passages we see the clear instruction and practice of singing only. The Christians sang praises unto God while also teaching and admonishing one another. Therefore, what they did we do. We do not use an instrument in worship because we do not have passages of Scripture to authorize our use of one. Singing is authorized by God playing an instrument is not.&
GOD’S PLAN TO SAVE MAN THROUGH CHRIST JESUS
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:8)
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:8-10
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" (1 Peter 3:21)
See also: (Romans 6:1-7, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:26-28, II Corinthians 5:17)