It can be stated without
fear of successful
contradiction that there is
no command, approved
example, or necessary
inference in the New
Testament (which is the way
to establish Truth), for
churches of Christ ever,
with authority, to use
instrumental music in
worship. We are not desiring
just to be different, nor
are we financially unable to
have mechanical instruments,
nor is our reason for not
using this in worship simply
that we do not like
mechanical instruments. The
basic scriptural reason for
not placing an instrument in
the Lord’s church is simply
that we have no authority
from Heaven.
In the eight scriptures
which mention the kind of
music to be used in New
Testament worship there is
no mention of any kind of
music except singing
(Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25;
Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians
14:15; Ephesians 5:19;
Colossians 3:16; Hebrews
2:12; James 5:13).
Hence, we do not
presumptuously place
mechanical instruments in
worship because:
1. Jesus never taught it
(Acts 1:1).
2. The disciples of
Christ never practiced nor
taught it (Matthew
28:18-20).
3. Peter and the other
apostles who had the keys of
the kingdom did not
authorize it (Matthew 16:19;
18:18).
4. The Holy Spirit never
instructed it (John 16:13).
5. One cannot speak as
the oracles of God and teach
its use in worship (1 Peter
4:11).
6. Instrumental music is
not “in truth” (John 4:24;
17:17).
7. It does not pertain to
life in Christ and godliness
(2 Peter 1:3).
8. It is not a “good
work” in God’s eyes (2
Timothy 3:16-17).
9. To preach it’s use is
to teach another gospel
(Galatians 1:8-9).
10. By the admission of
most, such teaching is an
effort to please the ears of
men (Galatians 1:10).
11. It did not come by
revelation of Jesus Christ
(Galatians 1:11-12).
12. It is no part of the
counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
13. It is not according
to sound words (2 Timothy
1:13).
14. It is not in the
better covenant (Hebrews
8:6).
15. It is not of faith
(Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians
5:7). (Where there is not
testimony, there can be no
faith!)
16. It is not a
blood-sealed practice
(Hebrews 10:28-29).
17. Instrumental music in
worship is a doctrine of men
(Matthew 15:9).
18. It is an addition to
the worship prescribed in
the Word of God (Revelation
22:18).
19. It is offering
“strange fire” in worship
unto God (Leviticus 10:1; 1
Timothy 3:14-15).
20. To use such is not to
abide in the doctrine of
Christ (2 John 9-11).
21. It is will worship
(Colossians 2:20-23).
22. It is a substitute
for the God-given system of
religion (Acts 2:42).
23. It cannot be done in
the name of the Lord
(Colossians 3:16-17).
24. Preaching the use of
it is not preaching the Word
faithfully (2 Timothy 4:2).
25. It should not be
contended for by the
faithful (Jude 3).
26. One cannot walk in
the light and support its
use in worship (1 John 1:7).
27. The practice of such
departs from the simplicity
that is in Christ (2
Corinthians 11:3).
28. Introduction of it
caused division (John
17:20-21; 1 Kings 18:18).
29. Its addition
constitutes the sin of
presumption (Deuteronomy
18:20; Psalms 19:13).
30. The only safe and
correct course is to refuse
the use of mechanical
instruments of music in
worship to God (John 12:48).