DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT AUTHORIZE THE USE OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP?

Dear Brother Waddey:

I have read attempts to prove that the New Testament authorizes the use of instrumental music in worship. The basic thesis is as follows:

"According to Young's Analytical Concordance, the same word translated psalms in Eph. 5:19 and Col 3:16 is also the word used to refer to the Old Testament book of Psalms in Luke 20:42, Luke 24:44, Act 1:20 and Acts 13:33. Many of the verses in the book of Psalms say to sing using musical instruments (e.g., Psalms 33:2, 92:3 and 144:9)."

"Strong''s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary defines the word translated psalms in these verses as a set piece of music, that is, a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a ""psalm""); collectively the book of the Psalms"

"Young''s Analytical Concordance to the Bible defines this word as a song of praise (on an instrument)".

I would appreciate your thoughts on this reasoning. Isn't it also true that early Christians abstained from instrumental music to distance themselves from pagan religions that used instruments? Willis

Dear Willis:

If the passage in Eph. 5:19 authorizes the church to use instrumental music in its worship, we must ask why from the beginning in 33 A.D. unto 670 no one figured that out and no one used instrumental music in worship?  In 670 Pope Vitalian introduced the first instrument into Christian worship. It was 400 years later before the use became widespread.

The Hebrews sang praises to God with instruments because God clearly commanded them to do so. Note II Chron. 29:25, "for the commandment was of Jehovah."  Jesus fulfilled and retired the Law of Moses when he died on the cross (Col. 2:14-16).  In its place he gave us his New Covenant and tells us to obey all things whatsoever he commanded (Matt. 28:20).  In his covenant we find no instruction or example of churches using instruments in their praise.  That a psalm can be sung with instrumental accompaniment is evidenced by the fact that Jewish families sing them in their home devotions, we and other a cappella churches sing them in our worship.  Are you aware that Presbyterians were also acappella in the early stages of their history?  A friend is writing a history of their departure from their original practice.

Grammarians have noted that the meaning of "psallo," the verb form, evolved over the years and that by the first century it meant to sing but did not necessarily include instrumental music.  Dr. Everett Ferguson notes this in his study on "A Cappella Music in the Public Worship of the Church" 1972, p. 13-15.

Note too that Paul was careful to indicate the instrument which was to be used when singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs: "Making melody with your heart" (Eph. 5:19).  Thus he speaks metaphorically, likening the heart of the worshiper to a harp, with which we sing our praise to our God.

It is also helpful to notice Col. 3:16 which is a similar passage about praise.  There Paul indicates two significant purposes of our singing: "teaching and admonishing one another." This is something an instrument cannot do.  It can assist us in singing, it can thrill us with it lovely sounds, it can entertain us, but it cannot teach or admonish us.