MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC IN WORSHIP TODAY
Thank you once again for being in our audience this morning. It is
a pleasure to be invited into your home to study together the
unsearchable riches of the Word of God. I shall deviate a little from the
format which we normally use each Sunday.
Often we hear the statement, "How can you sing without a piano or an
organ to help?" In order to demonstrate that this can be done, not only
from the mechanics of such, but also from the emotional reality of such,
permit me to demonstrate what worship to God in songs without the use of
mechanical instruments of music sounds like.
SONG: "I'll Hold to the Hand"
We will from time to time use this format in our future broadcasts.
"But," someone might ask, "Why do you not use the piano or an organ, or a
band, in your worship?" My friends, the answer is rather simple. There is
no command to use a mechanical instrument in worship to Jehovah; nor is
there any example of one being used in the New Testament worship of the
first century. There are only ten passages that deal with the music of
the first century Christians and each and every one of these 10 use the
phrase, "SING." In Hebrews 13:15, we read, "Through him then let us offer
up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips
which make confession to his name." Doesn't it seem reasonable that if
the first century Christians used some type or kind of mechanical
instruments in their worship there would be an example, a reference, or
some kind of information relative to it? And yet, there is none. The
scriptures are as silent as the tomb concerning the usage of mechanical
instruments in their worship. Did you not know that mechanical
instruments of music in worship are not found until many, many years
after the completion of the written Word of God. In fact, controversy in
various religious bodies over whether or not to use the mechanical
instrument in worship came as late as the 1800's. What we are saying that
as late as only 150 years ago, most denominations were having controversy
over whether or not to use the mechanical instrument in worship.
In fact, I understand that a piano disappeared from a church in
Houston one night, and when it was found, it was in Beard's Bayou in
Houston. And that was within this century. So, you see, we the members of
the church of Christ find those who agree with us about this subject in
the very recent past.
The apostle Paul said, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus...." (Colossians 3:17). This statement
says quite a lot. It says that whatever we believe, teach, or practice
must be authorized by our God. We can do nothing in worship or service to
Jehovah that does not have book, chapter, and verse to substantiate its
practice. What I like, what you like, is not the standard of judgment as
to what is acceptable by the Lord.
There are just a lot of things done today that have no Bible
authority. Men just decide that it will be alright, so they do it. Human
logic and sophistry is their guide, rather than the revealed truth of
God's Word.
"But," someone says, "The Bible does not say NOT to do it."
Question, Are we at liberty to do anything that the Bible does not
specifically forbid? God's Word is both inclusive and exclusive. It
includes everything that it includes, and excludes everything else. What
it not included either by command, example, or by necessary inference, is
automatically excluded. Let me illustrate this point just here: When
Jehovah commanded Noah to build the Ark in Genesis 6:14, the Lord said,
"Make thee an ark of gopher wood." Question, what kind of wood could Noah
use? That is a simple question with a simply answer. Gopher wood. Could
Noah use another kind of wood in the Ark? You know that he could not.
Why could Noah not use pine, oak, ash, walnut, or any of the other
hundreds of wood? Did the Lord say "Noah, do not use pine, oak, ash,
walnut, etc.?" No, He did not need to give those negatives. When He said
"Gopher Wood," that eliminated every other kind that might be available.
I do not know why Jehovah said, "Gopher wood." But, for whatever reason
it might have been, that command eliminated every other kind of wood.
There are only two kinds of music: Vocal and/or Instrumental. When
the Lord said, "Sing," He included vocal music. because that is what
singing is. He did not need to say, "Do not play upon an instrument." By
saying "sing," He eliminated the other kind of music, instrumental. That
seems to me like such a simple matter. But, many, many people have
trouble with it. And why is that so? Because they like the piano, the
organ, the band; they like the entertainment and social appeal of the
mechanical instrument. But, once we accept the need for Bible authority
for everything that we do in worship unto Jehovah, we will no longer
hear, "We do many things for which we have no authority." If you have the
permission to do one thing without Divine authority, then your neighbor
has that same right; and on an on it goes. Thus the reason for the
divided religious world which we see all around us. People doing what
they like, without so much as suggestion that Jehovah approves of it. And
I could take the next 10-20 lessons discussing what men have brought into
their worship and service without the Divine approval of the God of this
universe.
I spoke upon the subject of Instrumental Music in the church last
October over this program. If you would like to have either the
manuscripts of those two lessons, or the audio cassette, please drop us a
request. Simply mail us your name and address to White Park church of
Christ, Route 1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX, 77514.
We invite you to check out our Web Site. The address is:
http://home.att.net/~(tilde)jackthompson Let me repeat that for you.
You will find these radio lessons available. Also, other lessons and
outlines. If you would like more information, please feel free to
inquire.
I now close with another song, sung without the use of mechanical
instruments. And until next week, we bid you a most pleasant good
morning.
SONG: "I'll Live In Glory"
SONG: "Brighten the Corner"
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