There have been many attempts to justify the introduction of instrumental music into the worship of the church. This lesson seeks to respond to many of these attempts.

1. Music Issues
There are many misunderstandings
about instrumental music
in worship.

2. Subway Rule

Order a sandwich at Subway – They only use
the bread, cheese, meat, condiments that
you ask for.

They do not add other things that you did not
request.

Some say, “The Bible does not condemn
instrumental music in worship.”

3. Subway Rule

Hebrews 7:12-14 12 For the priesthood
being changed, of necessity there is also a
change of the law.

13 For He of whom these things are spoken
belongs to another tribe, from which no man
has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from
Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing
concerning priesthood.

4. Subway Rule

Leviticus 10:1-2 1 Then Nadab and Abihu,
the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and
put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered
profane fire before the Lord, which He had
not commanded them. 2 So fire went out
from the Lord and devoured them, and they
died before the Lord.

Noah – Gopher wood – nothing else is
acceptable

Many other examples – God is often sepcific

5. In Heaven

Revelation 14:2-3 2 And I heard a voice
from heaven, like the voice of many waters,
and like the voice of loud thunder. And I
heard the sound of harpists playing their
harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song
before the throne, before the four living
creatures, and the elders; and no one could
learn that song except the hundred and forty-
four thousand who were redeemed from the
earth.

6. In Heaven

Also in heaven - - -
− Horses, frogs, angels, babies
− John the baptizer – Matthew 11:11
"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born
of women there has not risen one greater
than John the Baptist; but he who is least in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
− Many OT faithful – Abrahan, Moses, David

There may be harps in heaven. This does not
mean they are acceptable in the church.

7. Tuning fork (pitch pipe)

Also – song books, PA system, projector

The issue is - - -
− Is this an aid to obey the command?
− Is this an addition or change of the
command?

Most commands of God allow for choices
about how the command is carried out

Noah – build ark – saw, hammer = aids

8. Instruments in O T

David used instruments in worship

True – But remember:
− He also offered animal sacrifices
− He also burned incense
− He also worshipped on Saturday

David did NOT:
− Observe the communion
− Worship on Sunday

9. Special Music will draw a crowd

So will football games

So will belly dancers

So will free food

So will alcohol, drugs, strippers, etc.

The issue is not draw a crowd

The issue is what God requires

10. This is a progressive age

Argument: The NT is over 2,000 years old
and is outdated, not modern

2 John 9 Whoever transgresses and does
not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not
have God. He who abides in the doctrine of
Christ has both the Father and the Son.

How does one decide which commands we
can ignore because they are old?

11. It is just an aid

Purpose of singing must be observed
− Teach
− Admonish
− Speaking to one another
− A piano can not do any of the above

Is there a difference in “sing” and “play”?

Walk – use a cane – still walking

Add a piano and the vocal singing dies

12. Why fuss over a small matter?

Division has resulted all over the world when
the instrument is introduced

God hates division, wants unity

When I taught this topic on the radio – I
would get more mail and phone calls than
any other topic

13. You are narrow minded

Truth is narrow
− Math, science, history, spelling
− In God's commands

Matthew 7:13-14 13 "Enter by the narrow
gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the
way that leads to destruction, and there are
many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is
the gate and difficult is the way which leads
to life, and there are few who find it.

14. What about the Greek word?

The Greek word (psallo)
− Origin – to pluck, twang, twitch
− Used of plucking feathers from a chicken
− Used of plucking a hair from our head
− Used of plucking a chalk line
− Used of plucking a stringed instrument

This is a verb (word of action)

It does not include the thing plucked.

15. What about the Greek word?

What is to be plucked?

Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody (psallo) 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 (psallo)
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

16. What does God require?

God requires us to worship as He directs
− Don't add to it
− Don't take from it

God gives specific commands
− Do exactly what is written

God gives generic commands
− We are free to choose the method of
carrying out these commands

17. What does God require?

These rules apply to more than music in
worship

The same principles apply to:
− Salvation
− Day of worship
− Communion
− Giving
− Baptism