The Instrumental Question God’s Plan for Us Gospel Advocate

The Instrumental Question

God’s Plan for UsGospel Advocate

The Instrumental Question

a) By what authority? (Matt 28:18, Col 3:17, Ac 15:24)b) Melody in the heart (Eph 5:19)c) Do not go beyond (1 Cor 4:6, 2 John 9)d) Do no add or subtract (Rev 22:18-19)e) History of music in the churchf) The Philippian jail (Acts 16:22-34)

1) The short answer2) Muscle and a Shovel (chapter 27)3) An example

If you came to the church of Christ from some other background, what was your impression of the singing in worship?

If you came to the church of Christ from some other background, what was your impression of the singing in worship?

Why don’t we use instrumental music in worship?

The Short Answer

God never authorized instruments in New Testament worship

Matt 21:12-13,23 (ESV) And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

After Jesus had wreaked havoc on the business in the temple, what question did the chief priests and elders ask him?



Why would they ask this question?



Who really had authority?A) the priests and eldersB) Jesus

John 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Col 2:8-10 (ESV) See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

What authority does Jesus have?

Matt 28:16-20 (ESV) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

What authority does Jesus have?

Col 3:16-17 (ESV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If we act in Jesus’ name, do we act by His authority?

John 16:13-15 (ESV) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

What authority exists in the speaking and writing of the apostles?

John 16:13-15 (ESV) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Should everything the church does proceed from the authority of Christ and His apostles?

Eph 5:16-21 (ESV) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Did Paul instruct the church to offer music in praise?


Did Paul instruct the church to offer music in praise?

Did he give instructions about what kind of music?


When we sing, what instrument are we instructed to use to make the melody?

1 Cor 4:6 (ESV) I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

How does Paul emphasize that the church should follow what God authorizes?

1 Cor 4:6 (ESV) I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

How does Paul emphasize that the church should follow what God authorizes?

Do you think “what is written” includes the Old Testament?

Is the Old Testament rooted in the authority of Christ for moral behavior, confession, and obedience to God?

Rev 22:18-19 (ESV) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

What warning does John end Revelation with?

Rev 22:18-19 (ESV) I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

What warning does John end Revelation with?

Do you think this only applies to the book of Revelation, or to other books of the Bible too?

Muscle and a Shovelby Michael Shank

Chapter 27What About Music?

Eph 5:18-19 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

What kind of music does Paul instruct the church to use?

Col 3:16 (ESV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

What kind of music does Paul instruct the church to use?

2 Pet 1:20-21 (ESV) knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Who gave the instructions for the church to sing?A) PaulB) God

2 Pet 1:20-21 (ESV) knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Who gave the instructions for the church to sing?A) PaulB) God

Do you think singing pleases God?

Matt 26:26-29 (ESV) Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

What did Jesus use in the Lord’s supper?

Matt 26:26-29 (ESV) Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

What did Jesus use in the Lord’s supper?

Would it be OK for us to use pizza and Dr Pepper instead?

Gen 6:14-15 (ESV) Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.

What kind of wood did God instruct Noah to build the ark with?

How big did God instruct Noah to build the ark?

Lev 10:1-3 (ESV) Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized[a] fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.

Levitical priests consecrated for the tabernacle and from the royal priesthood used an alternate source of fire that God had not authorized.

How did God react to them doing something that wasn’t strictly forbidden?

Instruments were not used in the Lord’s church for several hundred years after it was established on the Day of Pentecost.

Pope Vitalian is credited with bringing a pipe organ into the Catholic church around the year 660.

The early Reformation churches that came out of the Catholic church all sang a capella.

JOHN CALVIN. French Theologian, Bible Scholar, Reformation Movement influence. "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostles is far more pleasing to him. Paul allows us to bless God in the public assembly of the saints, only in a known tongue (1 Corinthians 14:16) What shall we then say of chanting, which fills the ears with nothing but an empty sound?"

ADAM CLARKE. British Methodist Theologian, Bible Scholar. "I am an old man, and I here declare that I never knew them to be productive of any good in the worship of God, and have reason to believe that they are productive of much evil. Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instrumental music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music, and I here register my protest against all such corruption of the worship of the author of Christianity. The late and venerable and most eminent divine, the Rev. John Wesley, who was a lover of music, and an elegant poet, when asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists, said in his terse and powerful manner, 'I have no objections to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.' I say the same."

JOHN KNOX. Scottish Clergyman, Notary Priest, Founder of the Presbyterian denomination, Scottish Reformation Leader. Knox considered the organ “the devil’s kist o’ whistles,” and had the one [organ] in the High Kirk of Edinburgh removed (McClintock & Strong's Encyclopedia, Music, Vol. VI., p.762).

MARTIN LUTHER. German Monk, Professor, Theologian, considered to be the Father of the Protestant Reformation Movement. "The organ in the worship Is the insignia of Baal; a sign of the devil…the Roman Catholics borrowed it from the Jews."

CHARLES SPURGEON. Famous Baptist Minister of British decent. "We do not need them [instruments in worship]. They would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice. What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettiness of a quartet, bellows, and pipes! We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it." When asked why, he quoted 1st Corinthians 14:15. "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." (Charles Spurgeon, Commentary on Psalms 42.) Spurgeon preached to 20,000 people every Sunday for 20 years in the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle and never were mechanical instruments of music used, or allowed, in his services.

JOHN WESLEY. Anglican Cleric, Theologian, founder of Arminian Methodism. 'I have no objection to instruments of music in our worship, provided they are neither seen nor heard."

Eph 5:18-19 (ESV) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Col 3:16 (ESV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Would we be like to be like the faithful New Testament Christians who worshiped God without mechanical instruments, or offer something unauthorized like Nadab and Abihu?

An ExampleThe Philippian jail

Acts 16:16-18 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

What happened between Paul and Silas and the girl with the spirit of divination?

Acts 16:19-21 (ESV) But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”

How did the owners of the slave girl react?

Acts 16:22-24 (ESV) the crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

How did the crowd react?

How did the magistrates do?


How were Paul and Silas detained in the prison?


How were Paul and Silas detained in the prison?

What do you think they were allowed to keep with them in prison?

Acts 16:25-26 (ESV) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

What did Paul and Silas do while they were locked in stocks in the inner prison?



Do you think God heard their prayers and singing?



Do you think God heard their prayers and singing?

Can we ask for anything more??

Acts 16:27-28 (ESV) When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

How did the jailer react to God destroying the prison and loosening their stocks?

Acts 16:29-30 (ESV) And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

How did the jailer react?

Acts 16:31-34 (ESV) And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.


Acts 16:31-34 (ESV) And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.


Can we ask for anything more??

Next WeekGiving (Part 1)

God’s Expectations (Heb 11:4, Lev 27:30-33)God’s Approval (2 Chron 31:5-12)God’s Challenge (Malachi 3:8-10)

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The Instrumental Question God’s Plan for Us Gospel Advocate