A Study of Instrumental Music in Worship – Part 1
In the religious world, there is a basic cognizance of the need to conduct ourselves within the confines of God’s authority. The apostle Paul, when writing to the brethren at Colosse implored,
“…whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Such demands that we search the Scriptures, to know what is and what is nto acceptable to the Lord so far as religious practice and doctrine. When considering proper worship in song, just as with any other topic, we must seek to know what pleases the Lord. A practice or teaching may delight us, but we are not the object nor the designer of worship. How does God instruct us to worship in song? Are we to use mechanical instruments, are we to use our voices, or a combination of the two?
Our primary focus in this article will be the occurrences of instrumental music in the book of Revelation. A detailed discussion of the use of instrumental music in the Old Testament, and the pattern of vocal music in the New Testament, and the pattern of vocal music in the New Testament will be reserved for another occasion. However, permit just a few commentts on these important aspects of music in the Scriptures.
The instrumental music was used in worship in Old Testament times is sure. Numerous texts speak of instruments being employed in the praise of God, of which Numbers 10:10 and 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 are examples. However, the use of such by those who were then subject to Moses’ law does nto condone the use of the same today by those who are under Christ’s law. God’s acceptance of a practice under the former covvenant does not ensure Hiss accepetance of the same under the New covenant. We must learn what God has commanded in the New Testament so far as worship in song.
Very briefly, the consistent testimony of the New Testament is that Christians should worship God with singing (Acts 16:25; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13). Not once do we find in the epistles an example of or instruction to use instrumental music in worship. If we are going to do and say according to the name of the Lord (ie. by His authority), then we will worship God with the use of our voices, and not mechanical instruments. To go beyond this is to act without authority.
Some will contend that the book of Revelation mentions musical instruments used in the worship of God Almighty. Indeed, that is the case. In fact, the book of Revelation speaks of instruments used in conjunction with worship on three occasions. Let us use the remainder of our time considering these texts.
Instrumental Music in Revelation 5:8-10
Beginning in chapter 4, John saw a vision of the heavenly throne room of God. The events depicted here are not upon the earth, they are in heaven, in a vision. As such, the worship described does not serve as an example of the worship to be engaged in by the New Testament church.
If this were Biblical instruction for worship in the Lord’s church, then it would be necessary for ALL worshippers to have and play an instrument. And not just any instrument, but the text specifies that ALL twenty-four elders and ALL four living creatures had a harp. But of course, the text is not to be under-stood literally, for even in verse 8 itself, John identifies the figurative manner of his words. The “golden bowls full of incense” were not in fact vessels of gold containing fragrance, but were emblematic of “the prayers of the saints.” This text does not teach us regarding the appropriate practice for worship by God’s people upon the earth.
Instrumental Music in Revelation 14:2-3
Again, the text makes it evident that these are scenes and descriptions of the heavenly realm, not the worship practices of the Lord’s church. The absurdity of applying the text literally becomes immediately apparent. Verse 3 speaks of a new song, not in a local assembly of Christians, but “…before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders…”). This song was exclusive; only the 144,000 were able to learn it. Is there a song upon the earth which none other than Christians can learn? No,this song is found in the heavenly realm; the harpists play their harps in heaven, not in the assembly of God’s people on earth.
Instrumental Music in Revelation 15:2-3
Once again, we are privy to “…another sign in heaven…” (v 1) which was revealed to John. And, once more, the efforts of those who seek to use the appearance of musical instruments in the book of Revelation as justification for such in worship today, are confounded.
The description given is not like any meeting place I have been to. These harpists who were singing stood upon “…something like a sea of glass mingled with fire…” But remember, this is an image which John saw in heaven, not upon the earth. And, the harpists are those who “…have victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark, and over the number of his name…” (v 2), not those who still “…endure temptation…” (James 1:12), and
…wrestle …against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Do musical instruments appear in the book of Revelation? Absolutely. Do these instruments appear in the context of worship? Absolutely. Is this just-ification or authority for the use of instrumental music in worship today, in the assembly of God’s people? No. Each in-stance identifies heaven as its setting, and incorporates figures in John’s vision. As the incense vessels (5:8), the exlusive song (14:3), and the glassy sea (15:2) are signified images, the harpists and their harps should also be understood as figures, and not literal.
If one desires to know how we should praise God in song, such will be accomplished, not by turning to the book of Revelation, or to the Old Testament, but to the epistles of the New Testament, wherein we are given examples and commands with regard to musical worship. Consistently, the test-imony of the New Testament epistles is that we should sing; no mention is made of the use of instrumental music. Such as the case, if our desire is to follow the word of God, we also will not use instrumental music in worship.
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