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Allowing Instruments In Church

Lewis

Lewis

Member
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Read the full article at the link below
Question:
"My friends say that musical instruments are forbidden in church. Is that Scriptural?"

Answer:
Several years ago I briefly attended a church which does not use musical instruments for praise and worship. I found that they made up for the lack of instruments with wonderful harmonies coming from all over the sanctuary. It was quite beautiful to hear!

Since some people believe that instruments are allowed in church, and other people believe that instruments are forbidden in church, I wanted to find out what the Bible says about this. After all, these two views are mutually exclusive, and therefore only one of them can be right.

It turns out that the New Testament never commands us to use instruments in church, so I see nothing wrong with singing in church without using musical instruments. On the other hand, the New Testament neither forbids nor condemns using instruments in church, so I also see nothing wrong with using musical instruments (or recorded music) to assist in worship.

"The New Testament is silent concerning musical instruments"

One of the main arguments against using musical instruments in church goes something like this: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using musical instruments in church, and therefore musical instruments are forbidden in church."[/FONT]​
[FONT=arial,helvetica] Those who use this argument are usually not against musical instruments in general, they are simply trying to be true to the Scriptural principles that they see in the New Testament. But we should be careful about assuming that something is forbidden just because it is not directly mentioned in the New Testament. For example, if you visit churches where they believe that musical instruments must not be used to assist in worship (because of the above argument), you will find that they usually use microphones, hymnbooks, song leaders, and so on, to assist in worship. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but the irony is that we can use their own argument to "prove" that these things are forbidden in church: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using microphones in church, and therefore microphones are forbidden in church."

"The New Testament is silent about using hymnbooks in church, and therefore hymnbooks are forbidden in church."

"The New Testament is silent about using song leaders in church, and therefore song leaders are forbidden in church."[/FONT]​
[FONT=arial,helvetica] People who use the above argument against playing musical instruments in church are sincerely trying to do what they believe is right, but they might not recognize that they are often being inconsistent in their application of this argument. Notice that when we selectively apply this argument in one area (such as musical instruments) while ignoring other areas where this argument also applies (such as hymnbooks, song leaders, etc.), it shows that we really don't believe that this is a valid argument after all. For example, at the church I attended which does not use musical instruments, they did use pitch pipes to get the right key for singing, they had a song leader who used arm movements to direct the singing, the song leader used a microphone, and so on. I totally support their right to do these things because I don't see anything unScriptural about them. But notice that these things are done for the purpose of assisting in worship by helping people find the proper key and maintain the proper timing, the proper rhythm, and the proper melody. Yet those are the very same purposes for using musical instruments to assist in worship. The argument that instruments are not allowed in church (because the New Testament is "silent" about instruments) also applies to pitch pipes, microphones, hymnbooks, song leaders, etc. (because the New Testament is "silent" about these things as well). So people are sometimes inconsistently applying their own argument against using musical instruments in worship.

Read the full article here[/FONT] Christian Music - Musical Instruments
[FONT=arial,helvetica]







[/FONT]​
 
Lewis W said:
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Read the full article at the link below
Question:
"My friends say that musical instruments are forbidden in church. Is that Scriptural?"

Answer:
Several years ago I briefly attended a church which does not use musical instruments for praise and worship. I found that they made up for the lack of instruments with wonderful harmonies coming from all over the sanctuary. It was quite beautiful to hear!

Since some people believe that instruments are allowed in church, and other people believe that instruments are forbidden in church, I wanted to find out what the Bible says about this. After all, these two views are mutually exclusive, and therefore only one of them can be right.

It turns out that the New Testament never commands us to use instruments in church, so I see nothing wrong with singing in church without using musical instruments. On the other hand, the New Testament neither forbids nor condemns using instruments in church, so I also see nothing wrong with using musical instruments (or recorded music) to assist in worship.

"The New Testament is silent concerning musical instruments"

One of the main arguments against using musical instruments in church goes something like this: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using musical instruments in church, and therefore musical instruments are forbidden in church."[/FONT]​
[FONT=arial,helvetica] Those who use this argument are usually not against musical instruments in general, they are simply trying to be true to the Scriptural principles that they see in the New Testament. But we should be careful about assuming that something is forbidden just because it is not directly mentioned in the New Testament. For example, if you visit churches where they believe that musical instruments must not be used to assist in worship (because of the above argument), you will find that they usually use microphones, hymnbooks, song leaders, and so on, to assist in worship. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but the irony is that we can use their own argument to "prove" that these things are forbidden in church: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using microphones in church, and therefore microphones are forbidden in church."

"The New Testament is silent about using hymnbooks in church, and therefore hymnbooks are forbidden in church."

"The New Testament is silent about using song leaders in church, and therefore song leaders are forbidden in church."[/FONT]​
[FONT=arial,helvetica] People who use the above argument against playing musical instruments in church are sincerely trying to do what they believe is right, but they might not recognize that they are often being inconsistent in their application of this argument. Notice that when we selectively apply this argument in one area (such as musical instruments) while ignoring other areas where this argument also applies (such as hymnbooks, song leaders, etc.), it shows that we really don't believe that this is a valid argument after all. For example, at the church I attended which does not use musical instruments, they did use pitch pipes to get the right key for singing, they had a song leader who used arm movements to direct the singing, the song leader used a microphone, and so on. I totally support their right to do these things because I don't see anything unScriptural about them. But notice that these things are done for the purpose of assisting in worship by helping people find the proper key and maintain the proper timing, the proper rhythm, and the proper melody. Yet those are the very same purposes for using musical instruments to assist in worship. The argument that instruments are not allowed in church (because the New Testament is "silent" about instruments) also applies to pitch pipes, microphones, hymnbooks, song leaders, etc. (because the New Testament is "silent" about these things as well). So people are sometimes inconsistently applying their own argument against using musical instruments in worship.

Read the full article here[/FONT] Christian Music - Musical Instruments
[FONT=arial,helvetica]







[/FONT]​
Click to expand...


Very good points!

I have difficulty even imagining singing praises to God without at least an acoustic guitar! :)
 
I thought that to be a Christian you had to have 3 pens in your shirt pocket, wore sandals and had to play guitar. :)

There is nothing in the Bible that forbids the use of musical instrumemnts in Church. I am involved ion music ministry at church and have been for many years. Music is but one way in which we can priase & worship but should never over-power the message itself. As musciians we are there to help our Christian brothers & sisters worship and be involved in Church. It is not a a performance buta form of service.

If that means pruning back or adding to the number of instruments on even a song-by-basis then that's what you do.

Anyone who starts telling anyone else how to worship by introducing rules about instruments are only doing the sort of things Jesus gavethe Pharisees so much stick about: rules.

A lot of how we sing in church is governed more by the culture in which we live as Christians. I dare say the music in a church in Africa would be different than South America which would be different than SE Asia etc. The beauty of Christianity is the constant message of Gospel expressed individually without rules.
 
I love all your contributions! The Old Testament does not contradict the New Testament; the New Testament does not contradict the Old Testament - the God of the Old Testament is still the same God in the New Testament.

Jubal of the Old Testament started this which has metamorphosised or rather improved into our music today. Genesis 4:21. (music belongs to the people of God then)

I don't think I can feel free in a church that does not worship God with musical instrumentalists accompaniment. Few people try to imitate the style of the World and try them in churches. I do not believe in such modifications. Christians should rather frown at this. I have witnessed situations were the non-gospel musicians imitate our style and do them to attract more people. It is strange. Do we leave it for them?

In summary, I agree with the original poster: I love music; I won't think the others who don't use it in churches are doing the wrong thing.
Oops!! This sounds like a paraphras.
 
In addition -

Since the playing of musical instruments is classified in the OLD Testament as "Prophesy" 1 Chr 25:1-3, the folks who FORBID the use of instrumental music have to EXPLAIN how God could see Instruments as a "Prophetic Ministry", and then after Jesus' death and ressurection consider them "blasphemous" when used in worship.
 
Re: In addition -

Bob Carabbio said:
Since the playing of musical instruments is classified in the OLD Testament as "Prophesy" 1 Chr 25:1-3, the folks who FORBID the use of instrumental music have to EXPLAIN how God could see Instruments as a "Prophetic Ministry", and then after Jesus' death and ressurection consider them "blasphemous" when used in worship.
Click to expand...

That is lovely.
Music was an integral part of their fellowship. See what happened to the walls of Jericho! It was music.
The generation used thousands of musical instruments. Today we have few trumpets in a band.

Honestly there is usually an awesome atmosphere while worshipping God. This is mostly noticed during a performance with a complete band: Ron KEnolly, Don Moen, Donnie MCC, TD.Jakes etc
I love music
 
Lewis W said:
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Read the full article at the link below[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Question:[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]"My friends say that musical instruments are forbidden in church. Is that Scriptural?" [/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]Answer: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica]Several years ago I briefly attended a church which does not use musical instruments for praise and worship. I found that they made up for the lack of instruments with wonderful harmonies coming from all over the sanctuary. It was quite beautiful to hear! [/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]Since some people believe that instruments are allowed in church, and other people believe that instruments are forbidden in church, I wanted to find out what the Bible says about this. After all, these two views are mutually exclusive, and therefore only one of them can be right. [/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]It turns out that the New Testament never commands us to use instruments in church, so I see nothing wrong with singing in church without using musical instruments. On the other hand, the New Testament neither forbids nor condemns using instruments in church, so I also see nothing wrong with using musical instruments (or recorded music) to assist in worship. [/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]"The New Testament is silent concerning musical instruments" [/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]One of the main arguments against using musical instruments in church goes something like this: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using musical instruments in church, and therefore musical instruments are forbidden in church."[/FONT]
​
[FONT=arial,helvetica]Those who use this argument are usually not against musical instruments in general, they are simply trying to be true to the Scriptural principles that they see in the New Testament. But we should be careful about assuming that something is forbidden just because it is not directly mentioned in the New Testament. For example, if you visit churches where they believe that musical instruments must not be used to assist in worship (because of the above argument), you will find that they usually use microphones, hymnbooks, song leaders, and so on, to assist in worship. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but the irony is that we can use their own argument to "prove" that these things are forbidden in church: [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using microphones in church, and therefore microphones are forbidden in church." [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using hymnbooks in church, and therefore hymnbooks are forbidden in church." [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using song leaders in church, and therefore song leaders are forbidden in church."[/FONT]
​
[FONT=arial,helvetica]People who use the above argument against playing musical instruments in church are sincerely trying to do what they believe is right, but they might not recognize that they are often being inconsistent in their application of this argument. Notice that when we selectively apply this argument in one area (such as musical instruments) while ignoring other areas where this argument also applies (such as hymnbooks, song leaders, etc.), it shows that we really don't believe that this is a valid argument after all. For example, at the church I attended which does not use musical instruments, they did use pitch pipes to get the right key for singing, they had a song leader who used arm movements to direct the singing, the song leader used a microphone, and so on. I totally support their right to do these things because I don't see anything unScriptural about them. But notice that these things are done for the purpose of assisting in worship by helping people find the proper key and maintain the proper timing, the proper rhythm, and the proper melody. Yet those are the very same purposes for using musical instruments to assist in worship. The argument that instruments are not allowed in church (because the New Testament is "silent" about instruments) also applies to pitch pipes, microphones, hymnbooks, song leaders, etc. (because the New Testament is "silent" about these things as well). So people are sometimes inconsistently applying their own argument against using musical instruments in worship.[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Read the full article here[/FONT] Christian Music - Musical Instruments






​
Click to expand...


It appears that the author of this article does not understand the difference between matters of authority and matter of expediency.


The article makes the following "arguments":
[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using microphones in church, and therefore microphones are forbidden in church." [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using hymnbooks in church, and therefore hymnbooks are forbidden in church." [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]"The New Testament is silent about using song leaders in church, and therefore song leaders are forbidden in church."[/FONT]
​
I could add "The NT is silent about breathing in the church, and therefore breathing is forbidden in the church."
So the article's argument fails simply by taking it to an absurd level.

The OT was silent about remembering Tuesdays and keeping it holy, and therefore those OT worshippers could remember Tuesdays and keep it holy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Is there anyone here willing to take a "stand" against having chairs in church? No mention whatsoever of these since we are called only to be seated in heavenly places!! ;)
 
From Psalm 33 (New KJV):

Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy

The only thing this is forbidding is someone that sucks at their instrument :)
 
Classik said:
I love all your contributions! The Old Testament does not contradict the New Testament; the New Testament does not contradict the Old Testament - the God of the Old Testament is still the same God in the New Testament.

Jubal of the Old Testament started this which has metamorphosised or rather improved into our music today. Genesis 4:21. (music belongs to the people of God then)

I don't think I can feel free in a church that does not worship God with musical instrumentalists accompaniment. Few people try to imitate the style of the World and try them in churches. I do not believe in such modifications. Christians should rather frown at this. I have witnessed situations were the non-gospel musicians imitate our style and do them to attract more people. It is strange. Do we leave it for them?

In summary, I agree with the original poster: I love music; I won't think the others who don't use it in churches are doing the wrong thing.
Oops!! This sounds like a paraphras.
Click to expand...

Why is it that some churches want to take the joy out of worship. The Old Testament is filled with musical instruments that were used in worship to God.
Some churches want to "find" sin in everything. I cannot even comprehend the thought of church without musical instruments.
 
abide said:
Why is it that some churches want to take the joy out of worship. The Old Testament is filled with musical instruments that were used in worship to God. Some churches want to "find" sin in everything. I cannot even comprehend the thought of church without musical instruments.
Click to expand...
Me too.People should remember that prayers move mountains but praises move God.
 
I want to have a rave in church as worship. It's fast, energetic and when I need picking up, it never fails and I get to put my own lyrics to it :D
 
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