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Music in Worship

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  • Does God want us to worship Him with music? Yes.

  • What kind of music? Under the Old Covenant or New?

  • II Chronicles 29:25; Psalm 150 – Instrumental music was authorized under the Old Covenant.

  • What about under the New Covenant?

    • Romans 15:9; I Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13 – Singing is the only type of music authorized under the New Covenant.

    • Under the Old Covenant, God told His people to use instruments in worship. In the New Covenant, He authorizes only singing.

    • Answering possible objections:

      • Ephesians 5:19 – The word “psallo” never authorized the use of a musical instrument. It expresses an action, but the object must be specified. In the New Testament, the heart is specified as the object. See Hebrews 9:10.

      • Revelation 14:2-3 – The voices in Heaven were described as thunderous and melodious as instruments, but it was still singing. Also, this is highly figurative language and not to be taken literally.

      • Use of songbooks

        • Songbooks are simply a way to coordinate worship. They do not add a new act of music.

        • The Bible doesn’t say not to.

          • The Bible doesn’t expressly say not to use instruments to worship under the New Covenant, but it comes pretty close. See Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:12. The Old Testament gives us an example of this reasoning. New Covenant Christians are commanded to sing. Playing an instrument is surely going beyond this command.

          • Having instruments at home

            • Having instruments in the home is not a reason to use them in worship.

            • Historically, instruments were added to worship by Catholics in 670 A.D. and strenuously objected to by many at the time.

            • II John 1:9 – To use instruments of music in worship is to go beyond God’s command.

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              ScriptureStreamBy Mark Watson
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