God Approved Music in Worship Mechanical instruments have evolved to the point that now most religious people think a group is “backward” who does not use them.

It is important how we approach God in our worship to Him –John 4:23-24 Failure to approach God acceptably causes Him to reject our worship –Leviticus 10:1-3 –Hebrews 11:4 –Amos 5:21-24 Introduction

ONLYNew Testament ONLY endorses “singing” –Ephesians 5:19 –Colossians 3:16 History of instrumental music in worship: –New Testament is silent –History is silent until the 7 th century Instrumental music not instituted by Christ WITHOUT –Added by man WITHOUT God’s approval 2 John 9-11 Introduction

John Wesley: (Methodist founder) when asked about the use of the organ, replied, “I have no opposition to the organ in our chapel provided it is neither seen nor heard.” (Adam Clark’s Commentary, Vol. IV, P. 868) Quotations From Men in History

Adam Clark: a Methodist – “I am an old man, and an old minister; and here declare that I never knew them to be productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. Music, as a science, I esteem and admire; but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor.” (Adam Clark’s Commentary, Vol. IV, P. 686) Quotations From Men in History

Charles Spurgeon: a baptist – preached for twenty years in the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle in London, England. Instruments of music were never used in the tabernacle. When asked why he did not use the organ in worship he gave 1 Corinthians 14:15 as his answer and said, “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,” and remarked, “I would as soon pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery.”

Quotations From Men in History John Calvin: (Presbyterian founder) “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting 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.” (Commentary of Psalms 33)

Quotations From Men in History Alexander Campbell: “But I presume to all spiritually-minded Christians such aids would be as a cowbell in a concert.” (Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, p. 366)

ALLALL activities of the church must be authorized by the Bible –Colossians 3:17 –Matthew 17:5 –Matthew 28:18 A Matter of Bible Authority “authorizing signature” Where is Christ’s “authorizing signature” for instrumental music in worship? “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God….” (1 Peter 4:11)

We must respect the silence of God’s Word –Cannot go beyond what is written Galatians 1:8-9 1 Corinthians 4:6 –The silence from God is restraint for man Hebrews 7:13-14 A Matter of Bible Authority

The mechanical instrument of music is an addition, not an aid, to true worship –Ephesians 5:19 When we disregard God’s authority: –Open the gate to error 2 Timothy 2:16-17 –Sin and lose our souls Matthew 7:21-23 A Matter of Bible Authority

They were used in Old Testament worship –2 Chronicles 29:25 Also used incense, animal sacrifices, and kept the feast days Old Testament is obsolete –2 Corinthians 3:14 –Colossians 2:14-17 “Psallo” means to pluck/twang –The heart was plucked The Defense of Instrumental Music in Worship The Defense of Instrumental Music in Worship

There are instruments in heaven –Revelation 14:2 Heaven is a spiritual realm (1 Cor 15:50) We use them at home –No authority to use them in worship to God anywhere (James 5:13) It sounds pretty – we want it no matter what! –Obstinate rebellion 1 Samuel 8:19; 2 Corinthians 5:7 The Defense of Instrumental Music in Worship The Defense of Instrumental Music in Worship

Worship is a right thing to do and there is no wrong way to do it –Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10:1-2 –Jesus said there is a wrong way to do it Matthew 15:7-9 The Defense of Instrumental Music in Worship The Defense of Instrumental Music in Worship Argument we have never heard: Argument we have never heard: “We should use instrumental music in worship because the New Testament commands it and the early church used it.”

God Approved Music in Worship Never go beyond the authority of Christ 1 Corinthians 14:37 1 Corinthians 4:6 2 Timothy 3:16 -17