The Use of Musical
Instruments in the Church. Is it
Scriptural?
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If we examine the use of musical instruments,
in the light of Scriptures, we shall find that their use has no place in the
service of God. Their use is totally
contrary to the principles of Christianity.
The instrumental music where ever it is used,
in the church, or at home, to worship God, lowers the whole character of
Christianity. It is but to bring the
Christian dispensation to the level of Judaism.
We may observe that the Scriptures do not
forbid the use of musical instruments everywhere. One may enjoy
instrumental music at home and other places.
But when it comes to the service of God, I
believe that the musical instruments, and the talents and skills of musicians
have no place. "That no flesh should glory in His
presence" (I Cor. 1:29.) If it were so, then, the greatest and the
best of musicians can only offer worship more acceptable to the Lord than those
that do not have great musical talents. But God forbids it. (Phil.
3:3; I Cor. 1:27-31.)
One may find it interesting to note that the churches for several hundred years
did not use instruments in the services. But as time passed on, it was
introduced by Pope in the Roman Catholic church, according
to the tradition, in the 7th century.
But it was actually revived in the 12th century.
The evangelical denominations in their
earliest days also did not use musical instruments in their services; but as
time passed by, organs, choirs etc. were slowly introduced.
The Dissenters too (those who departed from the church
of England) for the most part opposed the use of musical instruments. Charles
Spurgeon's Tabernacle at
Many eminent witnesses of Christ including
Athanasius, Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Zwingli, the Dutch, the Hugenots and not to mention
the Anabaptists and other remnant groups throughout the ages did not employ
musical instruments in their congregations.
John Calvin, the great Reformer openly spoke
against the use of musical instruments in the service of God. He says,-
"To sing the praises of God upon the harp
and psaltery, unquestionably formed a part of the training of the law and of
the service of God under that dispensation of shadows and figures, but they are
not now to be used in public thanksgiving."
One who examines the Scriptures will discern
that the use of musical instruments lowers the whole character of Christianity;
it hinders the free movement of the Spirit of God to lead believers to offer
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We may also observe that neither the Lord Jesus nor His apostles even once used
musical instruments to draw people, as it is done in various sects,
denominations, and national bodies of Christendom today.
It is true, that in the Old Testament, musical
instruments were divinely sanctioned and used in the service of God under the
old economy of Judaism. (Psalm 150.) But,
we find that their use was connected with the sacrifices.
However, even in the
So the Psalmist could only call the people
thus (Psalm 100:4):
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and
bless His Name.
But observe, how astonishingly different it is
now in the present dispensation to behold the same Spirit of God Who once
called the saints of the old dispensation to enter only into His gates and His
courts (Psalm 100) now calling upon us to have boldness to enter into the
Holiest by the blood of Jesus! (see Heb. 10.)
When we come to the New Testament, we find that
there is no mention of musical instruments, in connection with the worship,
singing or preaching (ministry), when the church is come together. The
early believers understood that Christ was in the midst of them and it was a
solemn and holy time.
When Christ established the new covenant in
His blood, worship solely became "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24). This is a principle of true Christian
worship. It is "with the spirit" and "by the spirit"
(I Cor. 14:15,16; Phil. 3:3).
15 What is
it then? 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.
(I cor. 14:15)
Here, observe, both praying
and singing are to be conducted "with the spirit" and "with the
understanding also."
Further, Phil. 3:3: For we
are the circumcision, which worship God in [by] the spirit, and rejoice in
Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Our worship does not need a lifeless
instrument to give sound (I Cor. 14:7). The place where Christians
worship is in the Holiest (Heb. 10), in the heavenly sanctuary in contrast to
the worldly sanctuary of the shadows and types of Judaism (Heb. 9).
The saints of the Old Testament didn't have
boldness of faith or the privilege to enter into the Holiest for the way was
not yet made manifest.
From the above Scripture portions, we observe that the character of Christian
worship is entirely spiritual, and in truth, in contrast to the Jewish worship,
which was external, which suited to the man in the flesh.
In the Christian worship, there is singing
"in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...making melody in your heart to
the Lord", (Eph. 5:19).
Observe in the above, the "hymns"
are chiefly used to express praise and worship of God; whereas the
"spiritual songs" are used to express the Christian experience and
walk with God. But all are intended to
express gratitude, thanksgiving, and worship of God. But the worship on the Lord's day, leading to the Lord's Supper, is where we find the
highest expression of worship and adoration of the Father and the Son. On the other hand, the "spiritual
songs" which are meant for the encouragement of the saints in their walk
may be used during the ministry, prayer and other meetings of the church.
(At home too, the same principles of singing
in spirit and in truth need to be observed when the family gathers to sing
hymns and spiritual songs during the daily family prayer meetings.)
Further observe, that the psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs ought to be sung.., making melody in our hearts to the
Lord. Here, "making melody" is
to be done in our hearts, but not with the aid of any musical instruments.
Again, I Cor. 14:15 tells us how we ought to sing: "I will sing with the
spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also", (I Cor 14:15). Here, the Greek word for 'sing' is 'psallo', which means "singing with an
accompaniment". The accompaniment given here for singing is not a
musical instrument, the accompaniment itself is
"the spirit" and "understanding".
"The Holy Spirit is the indwelling source
of power in the believer (I Cor. 6:19) and also with the whole church (I Cor.
3:16) gathered together, to worship (John 14:17)."
Instrumental music appeals to the flesh; it can excite the senses and create a
false sense of holiness/devotion; but it hinders the work of the Holy Spirit in
leading the believer-priests to worship God freely, and in an acceptable manner
that is pleasing to Christ. Musical instruments or instrumental music can
not produce sound that is acceptable in the worship of God – the true adoration
of the Father and the Son, says Darby, can only be done in spirit and in truth.
As priests unto God the Father, we are exhorted to offer, by Jesus Christ, the
sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to His Name. (Heb 13:15.) Here, again, the expression "the
fruit of our lips" intimates the use of human voice alone "by the
spirit" (Phil. 3:3), instead of any musical instrument to offer spiritual
sacrifices well pleasing to God.
For the believer, everything has been made
new. We no longer have an earthly temple, an earthly priesthood, and we
do not worship God in the same way that the Old Testament saints
worshiped. Everything has changed at the Cross. All the types and
shadows of the Law were fulfilled by Christ. All of our direction for how
we worship must come from the New Testament and we must view it as the final
authority. We can't alter it, we can't improve on it or add to it; it is
exactly the way God wanted it. He put it forth for us all to study, to
follow and to make every believer complete in Christ.
In the light of the above Scriptural principles, should we not then seek to
please the Lord, the Head of the Church? I would remark that some may not use
instrumental music in the church or home when meeting in Christ's Name, but
they do indeed take delight in it, when others do use them in singing Christian
songs.
Remember, brethren, the use of human voice* alone
has a divine recognition and sanction in the service of God to offer spiritual
sacrifices. But mere use of human voice
alone without the use of spirit and understanding is again improper to express
worship. It must be done in spirit and
in truth (that is, according to the truth revealed in the Scriptures). (See John 4; Acts 16:25,
(I am referring to the general character
here. To celebrate the Lord's Supper, we
must use the emblems --the Bread and the Cup -- without which, there cannot be
a true remembrance of Christ, or proclaiming His death.)
One may point out the use of musical
instruments in the Revelation. But, it
needs to be observed that these instruments such as trumpets and harps are
connected with the end-time prophecy relating to God's dealings with
To close, consider what our Lord told the
Samaritan woman in John 4.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and
ye say, that in
21 Jesus saith unto
her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall
neither in this mountain, nor yet at
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we
worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh,
and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in
truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth
The hour has come. Christ has been glorified at the right hand
of God in consequent of His finished work on the Cross. The Holy Spirit of God has come from the
Father to lead us into worship, not in the manner the Jews worshipped under the
law, but now as having made priests by Christ, unto God and His Father to offer
our worship and adoration in spirit and in truth.
Are we walking according to the Lord’s
commandment? Or, we
adding carnal aids to our worship.
Instrumental music in the service of God affects our communion; and
enjoyment of His Person. “Our fellowship
is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
In conclusion, Some
wants an organ, others want a worship band, and others want a bright piano
etc. But, what does God want? May we all seek to keep the word of Christ. Let us also
reflect on the account of Cain and Abel, how Cain wanted to worship God with a
sacrifice that God had not asked for. God did not bless his fleshly
efforts. His offering was rejected. He did not offer an acceptable worship.
I would entreat everyone to consider the above remarks prayerfully in the light
of Scriptures. And may the Lord grant each one of us grace to seek His
mind in this matter as in everything to remain faithful to Him and His word
till He comes.
April 2017.