Where does it say to lay down your musical instruments in the Bible as the Church of Christ believe?

Question

I'm just interested because they don't believe in playing musical instruments in their Churches.

Answer 1

Christ says he has "all authority" and the disciples were to teach the things He had commanded. (Matthew 28:18-20) Nowhere in the New Testament did the apostles teach or show an example of the use of instrumental music in worship of the church. ALL of the verses in the New Testament that talk about music in the church have SINGING as the type of music.

To use another type of music cannot be done from authority found in the New Testament because the New Testament nowhere authorizes its use. The authority to use instruments in the Christian church therefore does not come from God. If used, instruments must be authorized by men. If we follow a man's authority (teaching), does Christ still have "all authority" in our religious lives? Most is not the same as “all”!

One of the verses that teaches about music is Col. 3:16. This verse specifically tells us to sing. The very next verse (verse 17) says, "Whatever you do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS."

"In the name of" means by the authority of, or according to the instructions. Jesus and the apostles did not authorize the use of mechanical instruments in the New Testament church. You cannot play an instrument by the authority, according to the instructions of, or in the name of Christ because he did not instruct it.

The New Testament did specify "singing" as the type of music we are to use in the worship of the church. To do anything else is to follow the commandments (doctrine) of men rather than God. Teaching as doctrine the commandments of men makes worship “vain”, or useless in God’s eyes! (Matt. 15:9) Why not be satisfied to worship in the way God's word has authorized? “We ought to obey God rather than men”! (Acts 5:29)

When God told Noah to use "gopher wood", other types of wood were excluded. When Naaman was told to dip in the Jordan River, he knew other rivers were excluded (2 Kings 5). God has been specific about the music in the church, singing. Why add to his word?

Interesting, many of the founding fathers of denominations that now use instruments were opposed to their introduction. Among those against instrumental music were John Wesley, Adam Clark, John Calvin, and Martin Luther. So one should not question why we don't use them, the question should be "By what authority do you add them to your worship"? Why not be satisfied to simply worship as God's word instructs?

Some point out that David used instruments. As for David’s harp, He lived under the Law of Moses (Old Testament). We are now under the Law of Christ (New Testament). If you bind one part of the Old Law today, you are subject to keep the whole law.

In Galatians 5:3, some were trying to bind circumcision, an Old Testament commandment. Paul said if they bound this one item, they were “debtor to keep the whole law”. In James 2:10, if you keep the whole law, but miss one point, you are guilty of all.

If you try to bring over authority for David’s harp from the Old Testament, you must with the same authority bring over all of the animal sacrifices, feasts, Passover, the Sabbath day observance, yearly trips to Jerusalem, and the all of the other Old Testament commands. We must keep the whole law if we keep any part.

If we try to justify ourselves by the Law of Moses, we have “fallen from grace!” (Galatians 5:4)

God is not worshiped with men's hands (Acts 17:25) but with the heart. This verse talks about God not living in a temple made with hands, but it also applies this to hand-made worship, yet many say they worship on an instrument that was made with hands and played with the hands.

The instrument God wants is our heart. Ephesians 5:19 instructs us to make melody in the heart. These verses also say the purpose of music in worship is to speak and teach. An instrument cannot do this. In fact, it is more difficult to speak where there is background noise, therefore an instrument may interfere with these scriptural purposes of music in worship.
We should not add to or take away from God’s word. We should worship as he instructs! The New Testament does not instruct the use of a mechanical instrument in worship, so the church of Christ has no authority from the Bible to add it.

Yes it would seem that at times, that God at least tolerated instruments in the Old Testament, but we now have a new covenant, the New Testament.

Also by the end of the Old Testament, God’s word says, “Woe to you… Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for yourselves musical instruments like David” (Amos 6:3-5)

Does this sound like God now wants instruments?

Answer 2

I grew up in the C of C and sing 4 part accapella very well. Most of my life was spent sitting in church going through rote motions. Salvation only after baptism, no instruments, Lord's supper every Sunday.....Legalism anyone? It's not by works that we are saved so that no man may boast! It is not by water that we are saved but by Christ's blood! There is no mention of frequency of the Lord's supper anywhere in the Bible. To argue and hold firm beliefs is a matter of personal opinion and Man's traditions! The Pharisees came to John at the river to be baptised, not because they repented, but because they heard that baptism was a step needed for salvation. John, a man from God, called them a,"brood of vipers!" Do you remeber the last time God had something to do with a snake? A God that curses the viper more than anything in all creation and then a man from God using that form to refer to you. I think we should stop men's traditions, stop judging each other and start loving the Lord and each other like we were created to do! Read your Bible every day. A.

Answer 3

Difficult question and a controversial subject.
Two principles here, Regulative principle and the norminative principle.

Remember, our worship is liken to coming into the Holy of holies, where the high priest go into once a year. When the Lord Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, and He has open a new and living way for us to worship God.

Regulative Principle is such that, unless there is explicit commandment to use musical instruments for worship, we are forbidden use it. A classic case of example is Nadab and Abihu offering what was not commanded of God.

Norminative principle is that, where there is no objection in the bible, eg musical instrument; we may do so. If the Bible is silent, it is also allowed. However this argument of the norminative principle practice is flawed. Since the the bible do not forbid the bringing in of kangaroo and monkey for worship - one may also bring a circus into worship!

I have yet to see a verse where the Psalm exhort us to use musical instruments. Have you differentiated between Temple worship and synagogue worship??

My local church do not use instruments and sing from the Psalms. I felt it was more sanctifying without instruments. With instruments, it is easy to stir the flesh, but not the heart to worship!!


Fuller detail:
http://reformedonline.com/view/reformedonline/sola.htm

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Answer 4

I hope that the most of the people who responded to this argument realize they are basing their argument off of a different religion than Christianity. Judaism is no longer followed. They used instruments in only one place, it was not authorized anywhere else. If you are saying that the Old Testament authorizes anything in the new covenant, then I hope they are stoning all adulteresses and witches, not wearing multifiber clothing and not doing any sort of labor on Saturday.

The Old Testament is great for understanding the power of God, but it has nothing to do with Christianity.

Answer 5

It doesn't. I'm pretty sure these are the same people that think alcohol is a sin as well. Yet, I can't help but remember that Jesus' first public miracle was to change water into wine at a wedding (can't help but think there may have been music and dancing there as well).
Was David of the old testament not a musical person who calmed King Saul with his musical talents, the harp I believe? Strange interpretation of the Bible as far as I'm concerned.

Answer 6

Where ever it is there are probably 50 other examples where music was involved in worship and the Lord was pleased. David even danced before the Lord in the Temple. I never will understand where the belief that music and dancing are bad comes from. The idea isn't supported by scripture at all.

Answer 7

It is a simple line about singing with your heart. I think it's Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
How they got the fact that you shouldn't have instruments is beyond me..They are nice people though.

Answer 8

They have no scriptural reference for that tradition. Other denominations may have similar rules. Some do not allow a guitar or drums, but do allow horns and a piano. Others feel as though they must have an organ. Even though the intent may be noble, its really silly once you think about it.

Go Donna Go.

Answer 9

Most churches now adays play instruments during worship. Any churches I have been in have.

Answer 10

I am a member of the church of Christ. We believe that the Bible doesn't authorize the use of instruments in worship.

Colossians 3:16 (KJV, King James Version)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19-20 (KJV, King James Version)
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Jesus Christ has all authority over His church.

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Answer 11

Nowhere. In fact, the psalms are full of exhortations to play instruments in worship of the Lord.