Why W e Sing...Without Instruments!
Ephesians 5:19; Col. 3:16
Introduction: The Bible is filled with accounts of people who worshiped God, sometimes in ways that pleased Him, sometimes not. Remember , for instance, the accounts of Cain and Abel (Gen. 4); Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10); Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29) and Uzziah (2 Chron. 26:16); Corinthian Christians (1 Cor. 1 1:17-34). All these make two things very clear: (1) God wants His people to worship Him and (2) God wants His people to worship Him exactly as He has told them to do it.
Let us ask of scripture, “How Christians are to worship God with music?” What does the Bible teach us? Are we to sing? Are we to accompany this singing with instruments? Here are four statements that will help us understand the God wants us to worship in song.
The Early Church Sang But Did Not Use Instruments in Christian Worship. Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor . 14:15; Heb. 13:15. There is no place in scripture where thechurch is commanded to use instruments, nor is there an example where they did.
God Commands Us to Follow His Directions in Christian Worship. Remember the examples of those who did not follow God’s plan! Some argue that since the Bible does not command against it, that it is okay to use instruments. But also remember how Paul handled the problem with the Lord’s supper in Corinth (1 Cor . 1 1:23). They were adding things that were not commanded!
Many Religious Leaders Have Opposed Using Instruments in Christian Worship. Catholics, Reformation leaders, Puritans, Methodists, Baptists, and Greek Orthodox have all opposed instruments in the past (Web search for examples).
We Can Be Sure that Singing is Acceptable in Christian Worship. Some will say , “Musical instruments is not a salvation issue! We shouldn’t judge!” Anything we add to the Lord’s word is a salvation issue. With vocal music only , we can be sure what we are doing is pleasing to the Lord. With instruments, at best, one is unsure. If we want to please the Lord, we need to stay with the safe course of only His word (Col. 3:17)!