Should We Use Mechanical Music In Worship?

by Mark White

The purpose of this little tract is to present what the Bible says on the subject of music in the worship services. You will not find quotes from men’s creed books or the opinions of well-schooled theologians and scholars here. Instead what God has to say about this matter will be clearly presented by His word, and by His word only. If you will take your own Bible and follow along as you read this material you will be able to easily understand what the Bible teaches. Isn’t that what really matters — what the Bible says?

Let us begin by dispensing with things that do not pertain to this discussion. What David and other Old Covenant folk were able to do with instrumental music does not matter, because the Old Law and its practices has been done away (see Galatians 3:24-25). What use might be made of them in Heaven (as seen in figurative passages in Revelation) just does not come to bear on the discussion of what use may be made of the instrument in the worship of the church. Neither does our personal preference give license to their use. None of these defenses of the instrument addresses the issue of whether or not God is pleased with worship that uses instrumental music.

At the very heart of objections to instrumental music is the issue of God’s own will. This is not given adequate consideration in the religious world today. Few have stopped to ask, “Does this matter to God?” Instead, religious people have offered worship to God on their own terms, rather than being careful to offer up worship which they are certain meets God’s approval. The feeling of “It pleases us, and we mean well, so this must also be pleasing to God” is simply not a Bible way of thinking. (see Genesis 4:1-5; Leviticus 10:1-4; Romans 15:4). Not everything called worship by men is so regarded by God. “But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). If an activity proposed as worship is not authorized and sanctioned, by God through His Word, it becomes vain or worthless worship. Instrumental music is vain worship. Why?

First, instrumental music cannot be practiced by faith. Faith comes from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Without acting according to faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The New Testament mentions only one type of music: vocal, acapella singing (Matthew 26:20; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13). Therefore, it is acting without faith to make use of mechanical instruments in worship. It cannot be of faith if it is not in the New Testament!

Second, instrumental music does not respect the silence of the Scriptures. 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” How can we speak for instrumental music when God has said nothing about it? Such speaking could not be “as the oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11 teaches us the important principle that the silence of the Bible does not sanction anything. In other words, there is no need for a “thou shalt not” in order for God’s will to be known in a matter. It isn’t necessary for God to specifically catalog every objectionable item man might invent. Had he done so, it would be impossible to even lift the Bible because of its enormous size. When God says, “Do this ——” it is enough. He does not have to list all the things not to do! The Scriptures are silent about the use of instruments, but they are clear and expressive about what music is authorized. Unaccompanied, congregational, singing is specifically mentioned as acceptable to the Lord.

To act without Christ’s sanction is to invite eternal destruction upon ourselves. Those who act beyond Christ’s law will hear these fearful words: “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). Every religious issue must be settled by asking, “Does God sanction this activity or idea in His word?” You have used your own Bible to find the answer to this question in regards to the use of instrumental music in worship. Without doubt that answer must be “No.”

Mark White is a Christian concerned with spreading the truth about to how to worship God according to the Scriptures.