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INTRODUCTION
There is more to some discussions than what originally meets the eye. This
is very true for the current discussion on the use of instrumental music during
worship.
The real issue, the authority of God, is much broader in scope, under which
this controversy happens to fall. No sensible person opposes instrumental music
just to be different or controversial. Such a position of opposition is only
pertinent so long as it adheres to the authority of the New Testament.
It is this authors fondest hope that the material about to be presented will
help define the controversy, and provide some answers. May the Lord bless all
of us as we seek to please Him.
THE AUTHORITY OF GOD
Let's suppose you decide its time to buy a new car. You custom order the upholstery,
stereo system, and special wire wheels.
The dealer calls you, and says your car is in. Excitedly, you pull into the
lot. He hands you the bill: $215,000! Wait a minute. The car you ordered was
only $18,500.00. Why $215,000?
The dealer explains that they grinded a solid ruby key, solid gold trim, and
sterling silver cylinders!
You respond: "I didn't order all of that!" But the dealer says: "That's
right, but you didn't tell us not to add it on." How long would a car dealer
like this stay in business?
We all understand that when we order something, we eliminate everything else.
McDonald's does not add everything else on the menu when you order a cheeseburger
and fries. They will only bring what you have authorized to the counter! This
is the authority principle.
The same thing is true in the Bible. When God orders something, he eliminates
everything else. Paul said: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him"
(Col. 3:17).
In the Old Testament, we are taught that priests could only come from the tribe
of Levi (Num. 1:49, 50). However, the New Testament teaches that Jesus would
be the High Priest, but that He would come from the tribe of Judah (Matt. 2:1;
Heb. 7:27, 28). Since he could not have been a High Priest under the Law of
Moses, a change in the Law was necessitated (Heb. 8:1-7).
Commenting on this situation, Paul said: "For it is evident that our Lord
hath sprung out of Judah; as to which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priests"
(Heb. 7:14). In other words, to eliminate Judah from having priests, the inspired
writers did not have to say "thou shalt not be from Judah, thou shalt not
be from Benjamin, thou shalt not be from Naphtali..."
When the Lord authorized the tribe of Levi, He eliminated all the other tribes,
for of Judah "...Moses spake nothing concerning priests." The Lord,
therefore, need not tell us what he doesn't want, but merely what He does want!
This authority principle is vital when we examine the question of instrumental
music in worship. Is such authorized? Let's see!
THE NEW TESTAMENT
Jesus is the author of a new covenant (Heb. 9:14-17; Jer. 31:31-34). He has
removed the old covenant with its laws and regulations (Col. 2:14-16), and replaced
it with His new covenant (Matt. 26:26-28; Heb. 8:6, 7).
Jesus imparted His will to the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13, 14) who in turn, breathed
it into the writers of the New Testament (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Jesus is our King
(Matt. 21:4, 5), Lord (2 Cor. 4:5), and Master (Matt. 23:6-9). Therefore, He
has all authority (Matt. 28:20).
Whatever we do must be by the authority of Jesus. Paul said: "And whatsoever
ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17).
Remember the authority principle? When the Lord tells us what He wants, He eliminates
everything else! For example, on the Lord's Day, we are told to remember our
Lord's death through the memorial supper (I Cor. 11:23-29; Acts 20:7).
In its observance, our Lord has authorized only the bread and the fruit of the
vine (Lk. 22:14-23). Where does the Bible tell us not to use chocolate milk?
Where does the Bible tell us not to use hot fudge cake?
When the Lord said fruit of the vine and the bread, that eliminated everything
else, just as it did with priests coming only from the tribe of Levi under the
Old Covenant (Num. 1:49, 50; Heb. 7:14). Again, no where do you read: "not
from Simeon, not from Ephraim..."
NEW TESTAMENT SINGING
In reference to the New Testament church, the following are passages which
relate to its singing: Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25; I Corinthians 14:15; Hebrews
13:15; Romans 15:9; James 5:13; Hebrews 2:12; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16.
In these passages of scripture, singing is authorized, and that is all that
is authorized. Not one word is mentioned about the use of any mechanical instrument
of music. As a matter of fact, we are told that the singing should:
1. be with the spirit (I Cor. 14:15).
2. be with the understanding (I Cor. 14:15).
3. speak (Eph. 5:19).
4. teach (Col. 3:16).
5. admonish (Col. 3:16).
All the Lord wants of singing is accomplished by vocal praise. Nothing He wants
is accomplished by instrumental music.
COORDINATE/SUBORDINATE
Authorized action includes matters that are subordinate in nature to the command,
and that does not hinder the command. A co-ordinate to that which is authorized
is by definition a different matter, and not subordinate to the original command.
For example, we are commanded to preach the gospel (Mk. 16:15). This would include
anything subordinate to the command: pulpit, radio, television, Open Bible Study,
etc.
However, the same command would exclude all the co-ordinates: Islam, Buddhism,
Hinduism, Mormonism, etc. The command to preach the gospel excludes all co-ordinates
(2 Tim. 4:2).
Using this same principle, examine the authorized action of singing. Under the
authority to sing, all the subordinates are authorized: the words, the chanting
of these words, antiphonal singing of those words, one group to another, one
person to another, four part harmony, etc. Anything subordinate to the command
to sing is authorized.
However, any co-ordinate is excluded by the authorization to sing. Therefore,
activities such as piano playing, organ music, plucking harps, etc., co-ordinates
with singing, are excluded by the command to sing.
A common response is: "well, nowhere does the text says not to play an
instrument." By the same reasoning, nowhere are we told not to preach from
the Koran! We know that such is excluded by the command to preach the gospel.
We also know that instrumental music is excluded by the command to sing.
SUMMARY
The Greek word psallo only authorizes vocal praise. The better Greek lexicons
are in general agreement of this fact.
Dr. Constantine Carvarnos, in a letter dated February 19, 1976 says the following
about the use of psalmos and psallo in the New Testament: "In our judgment,
these words denote purely vocal praise. Nowhere in the New Testament is there
any mention of the use of musical instruments, or suggestion of their use."
Dr. Cavarnos, at the time of this letter, was working with the Institute For
Byzantine And Modern Greek Studies in Belmont, Massachusetts. Who would know
Greek better than a Greek, and a scholar of Greek?
Finally, the early church did not use instrumental music for some 300 years!
The first introduction of instrumental music into the worship of the church
was around the time of Constantine, about 325 A.D.
Historically, linguistically, and hermeneutically, instrumental music is not
authorized in the worship of our Father by the church of Jesus Christ! Since
it is not authorized, we should not use it (Deut. 4:2)!
By Steve Hale
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