Sing in worship? Do not use mechanical instruments of music? Matt 15:9 ~ And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Singing reflects a sincere effort to follow the pattern of New Testament worship as found in Scripture. “acapella” ~ “in the style of the church”

God’s Revealed choice John 4:24 ~ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 8:31-32 ~ "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

God’s Revealed choice John 16:13 ~ … when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; John 18:37 ~ … Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.

God’s Revealed choice Cain Heb. 11:4 Lev. 10:1,2 God has never been pleased with those who have taken the matter of worship into their own hands and have substituted their own wisdom. 1 Sam. 15:14 1 Kings 12:33 Jeroboam

God’s Revealed choice Respecting God means respecting what God has said and what He has not said about worship. 2 Peter 1:3 ~ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, …

God’s Revealed choice Singing Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26 Romans 15:9 (Psa. 18:49); Heb. 2:12 (Psa. 22:22) Acts 16:25 – “…praying and singing hymns to God…” James 5:13 ~ … Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 1 Cor 14:15 ~ … I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

God’s Revealed choice Col 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. Eph 5:19 ~ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

A matter of faith There are no similar Scriptures in the New Testament for Christians in worship to include a mechanical instrument or that say “play” an instrument. 2 Cor 5:7 ~ For we walk by faith, not by sight. As a Christian, how can one “walk by faith” and use a mechanical instrument of music in worship?

A matter of faith God does not have to tell us everything He does not want us to do when He tells us what He does want us to do. Matthew 26:26-29 1 Corinthians 2:11-13

History’s uniform voice “There is no record in the New Testament of the use of instruments in the musical worship of the church.” -Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, p. 1163 “All ancient Christian music was vocal. We need one instrument: the peaceful word of adoration, not harps or drums or pipes or trumpets, said Clement of Alexandria around 200 A.D.” - Curt Sachs, a historian, Our Musical Heritage, pg. 43

History’s uniform voice “Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps … to praise God withal, that she many not seem to Judaize” - Thomas Aquinas, Catholic theologian of 13th century – (Bingham’s Antiquities, 3:137) “I have no objection to the instruments being in our chapels, provided they are neither seen nor heard.” - John Wesley, founder of Methodism

History’s uniform voice “Praise the Lord with the harp. Israel was at school and used childish things to help her to learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes... We do not need them. They would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice.” – Charles Spurgeon, Commentary on Psalms

History’s uniform voice “In introduction of the organ among the Baptists. This instrument, which from time immemorial has been associated with cathedral pomp and power, and has always been the peculiar favorite of great national churches, at length found its way into Baptist sanctuaries, and the first one ever employed by the denomination in this country, and probably in any other, might have been standing in the singing gallery of the Old Baptist meeting house in Pawtucket, about forty years ago, when I then officiated as pastor (1840) - Benedict, Fifty Years Among Baptists, pg. 204-7.

History’s uniform voice “Staunch old Baptists in former times would as soon tolerated the Pope of Rome in their pulpits as an organ in their galleries, and yet the instrument has gradually found its way among them … How far this modern organ fever will extend among our people, and whether it will on the whole work a Re-formation or DE-formation in their singing service, time will more fully develop.” - Benedict, Fifty Years Among Baptists, pg. 204-7.

History’s uniform voice “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. Men who are found of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him.” - John Calvin, Presbyterian founder: Commentary on Psa. 33

History’s uniform voice “It has thus been proved, by an appeal to historical facts, that the church, although lapsing more and more into defection from the truth and into a corruption of apostolic practice, had no instrumental music for twelve hundred years; and that the Calvinistic Reformed Church ejected it from its services as an element of Popery, even the Church of England having come very nigh to its extrusion from her worship. …

History’s uniform voice “The historical argument, therefore, combines with the Scriptural and the confessional to raise a solemn and powerful protest against its employment by the Presbyterian Church. It is heresy in the sphere of worship.” - John Girardeau, Instrumental Music, p. 179. [Columbia Theological Seminary]

Psalms? Ps 150:3-4 ~ Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Psalms? Authorized 2 Chron 29:25 ~ And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.

Psalms? OT Worship also included animal sacrifices, Jewish festival days, and the burning of incense. Psa. 66:13; 81:3, etc. The Book of Psalms was part of the Old Testament system. Luke 24:44 ~ These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."

Psalms? The Old Covenant - Temporary! 2 Cor. 3:7,8,11 > passing away Heb. 8:13 > “a new covenant” Gal. 3:25 > “we are no longer under a tutor” There are 112 allusions from 97 different Psalms in the NT, but not once is instrumental music referenced.

Psalms? The fact that God commanded something in the past does not mean that He approves its use now. Moses: Ex. 17:5,6; Num. 20:7,8 Priesthood: Heb. 7:12 – For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

Limited by Scripture Col 2:23 ~ an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion,… 1 Cor 4:6 ~ “… that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.” Limits 1 Peter 4:11 ~ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ~ Ephesians 5 19