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"Using Mechanical Instruments In Worship To God"

Jarrod Jacobs

The subject of instrumental music in the worship to God has been the cause of many heated discussions over the years. This is because people are intent on doing what they will rather than what God says. A relevant question to ask is, "Is singing with the instrument acceptable worship in the sight of God?" There are many people on both sides of this issue. Our concern, however, is "What saith the Scripture" (Rom. 4:3)? We are going to look at ten passages in the New Testament that discuss our singing, and then make some related comments.

1. Matthew 26:30- "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

2. Mark 14:26- "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

3. Acts 16:25- "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

4. Romans 15:9- "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."

5. I Corinthians 14:15- "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."

6. Ephesians 5:19- "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

7. 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 with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

8. Hebrews 2:12- "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."

9. Hebrews 13:15- "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

10. James 5:13- "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."

What Can We Learn From These Passages?

1. Singing without the instrument of music in worship to God follows the examples of Christ and the apostles (Matt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; I Pet. 2:20-21; I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17).

2. The first time we read about Christians singing "with" anything, it is singing "with" the "spirit and understanding" (I Cor. 14:15).

3. The only instrument we can use in our singing and be acceptable in the sight of God is our "heart" (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), not our harp!

4. Singing is a form of spiritual sacrifice to God (Heb. 13:15). We express thanks and praise to God in this way.

Some Questions To Consider:

1. The Bible teaches that through singing, we "speak," "admonish," "teach," and "make melody." Based on this, what purpose could a mechanical instrument serve? What need do wehave for it?

2. In the Bible we can read about Jesus and the Apostles singing praise to God. Where do we read about any of them whipping out banjos, flutes, harps, or anything else to accompany their singing? If they didn't do it, why would we want to do it?

3. Knowing that those under the Old Testament law used instruments; when Christ established His new testament, couldn't He have commanded that the instrument be used if He wanted it? Since He did not command that mechanical instruments be used, what does this tell us?

4. Knowing the terror of the Lord, and how dangerous it is for one of His creation to turn and do their own will (Heb. 10:31; II Thess. 1:6-9), why would we want to transgress God's law and add the mechanical instrument in the worship (II Jn. 9; Rev. 22:18-19; etc.)?

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