Should We Use Instruments in Worship

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Should We Use Instruments in Worship?

• Introduction
• Question has been discussed for many centuries.
• Church fathers sometimes opposed instruments even
  outside worship and never used them in worship.

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Should We Use Instruments in Worship?

• C. Many later religious leaders opposed
  instruments.
• Thomas Aquinas1250 AD
• John Calvin
• Martin Luther
• John Wesley

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Should We Use Instruments in Worship?

• Adam Clarke
• Charles Spurgeon
• Alexander Campbell
• Greek Orthodox Church
• D. So the question is not just a modern issue.

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Should We Use Instruments in Worship?

• E. So how should we answer the question today?
• Here are some reasons why I believe we should not
  use instruments in worship.

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I. Because the apostolic church did not use them

• We seek to please God by following the words of
  Scripture and using the early church as our
  model.
• Since they didnt use instruments, neither should
  we.

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I. Because the apostolic church did not use them

• C. A cappella means
• as in the church.

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II. Because we cant be sure they are acceptable.

• A. All agree singing without the instrument is an
  acceptable form of worship. No question.
• B. Can one prove instruments are acceptable? Why
  do what we cannot be sure of? Lets do what we
  can be sure of?

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II. Because we cant be sure they are acceptable.

• C. Salvation issue?
• I dont know.
• And that is the problem.
• No one can be certain that using instruments is
  acceptable. How will God judge? I dont know.

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III. Because singing in worship is commanded.

• A. Eph. 519speak to one another in songsing to
  the Lord.
• B. Col. 316Teach one another in song.

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III. Because singing in worship is commanded.

• C. 1 Cor. 1415-16Praise and thank God through
  meaningful songs in the worship.
• D. James 513Express joy in song.

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IV. Because the command to sing excludes
instruments.

• A. Old Testament cases.
• 1. Nadab and AbihuLev. 10
• Unauthorized fire.
• By specifying one place, Gods silence about
  other places excluded themso they were
  unauthorized.

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IV. Because the command to sing excludes
instruments

• 2. Saul1 Sam. 1313. Not kept the command the
  Lord your God gave you.
• What command?
• The command for priests to preside at sacrifices
  was a command for others not to.

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IV. Because the command to sing excludes
instruments.

• 3. 2 Chron. 26King Uzziah.
• Enter the temple, burn incense
• 80 priests say It is not right for you,
  Uzziah, to burn incense. That is for the
  priests, the descendents of Aaron.

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IV. Because the command to sing excludes
instruments

• Uzziah raged at the priests.
• God struck him with leprosy.
• God had saidsons of Aaron.
• Did not say Judah could not.
• Heb. 714 In regard to that tribe, Moses said
  nothing about priests. So Judah excluded.

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IV. Because the command to sing excludes
instruments

• B. New Testament--1 Cor.1123
• Departed from what Paul had taught about the
  Lords Supper. I received from the Lord what I
  delivered to you.
• Guilty of sinning
• Drinking judgment on selves.

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IV. Because the command to sing excludes
instruments

• When God specifies one out of a group, others in
  that group are excluded by His silence about
  them.
• Pharmacy
• Store
• Lords Supper

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V. Because instruments promote other departures.

• A. Doesnt say not to.
• B. Is that the principle on which God wants us to
  decide about His Word?
• C. Those who use this principle have made other
  departures.

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VI. Because using instruments has been divisive.

• A. When they were first introduced about 1000 AD.
• B. Among many denominations.
• C. In the Restoration Movement.

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VII. Because singing is better without them.

• A. Promotes more participation
• B. Allows more focus on the meaning of the songs
• C. Less likely to move into an entertainment mode.

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Conclusion

• A. There are very good reasons not to use
  instruments in our worship.
• B. We should take the NT church as our model.
• C. We will weaken our stance for restoration.

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Conclusion

• D. Lets lead in taking the way we can be sure of.