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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
relates to singing, and we have noted the historical witnesses. In the final installment in this series on the subject of
mechanical instruments of music in the worship of God under New Testament law, I wish to acknowledge the
arguments offered in defense of the mechanical instrument in worship and give brief refutations.
One argument that has been given in defense of the mechanical instrument is: There is no command in the Bible
not to use it. In this it is meant since the Bible does not explicitly say not to do something, then it has given
permission to do it. This is one of the silliest arguments that could be offered for anything, let alone the use of
mechanical instruments. The fundamental problem with this argument is the fact that it ignores all rules of proper
interpretation and ratiocination. An explicit command not to do something is never consent for it to be done—never.
For example, the Bible does not explicitly forbid the use of crack cocaine, marijuana or any other life-destroying drug
of this nature. Yet, it is clearly something that is condemned in Scripture based upon the fact that the Bible has
given precedence as pertaining to how a person is to behave and how a person is to care for his body. The Bible
does not explicitly teach us not to shoot babies or strip naked in worship, but no one would suggest these things to
be acceptable to God. Why are they not acceptable to God? Is it because God explicitly commanded these things
not to be done? No, there is no such explicit statement found. But, there is implication, which is just as powerful and
as true as explication. Hence, when God has authorized what is to be done, He has, at the same time, by implication,
forbad anything to the contrary. God has authorized vocal singing. Thus, He has forbidden any other type of music
in His worship. Perhaps this example will help us better understand this principle: One goes to McDonald’s and
orders a Big Mac, a large fries and a diet Coke. He is given a Big Mac, a large fries, a diet Coke, just as he ordered,
but is given in addition an apple pie, a fish sandwich, a 10-piece chicken nugget meal and is asked to pay for it all.
He angrily refuses to pay saying, “I did not order these things.” The worker smiles and says, “No, but you didn’t say
not to give you these things, so pay up.” Would you pay? Of course not. And, why would you not? Because you
understand the principle we are discussing, and you would expect the worker at McDonald’s to understand the
principle as well. Why is it that man can understand this rule of interpretation when it comes to everyday affairs, but
not when it comes to Scripture?
Another argument offered is this: David used instruments, just read Psalm 33:2. Yes, David did use a mechanical
instrument in the worship of God, this we do not deny. David also brought animal sacrifices to the alter of God and
had a multiplicity of wives. Does this mean that we can sacrifice animals in worship to God today or be polygamist?
Of course not. You see: David is not the authority for New Testament worship, for David lived under a different law,
a law which has been “nailed to the cross” (Col 2:14). Hebrews 7:12 explains “there is made of necessity a change
also of the law,” and again in 9:16, 17 it is written, “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the
death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the
testator liveth.” The Testator about whom he speaks is Jesus the Christ, who died establishing His “new testament”
(9:15).
The final argument to which attention will here be called is this: They are used in heaven as spoken of in
Revelation (5:8; 14:2). If they are used in heaven, why not here and now? We would do well to take note of the fact
that there is nothing physical in heaven, for heaven is a spiritual place, filled with spiritual beings (cf. Jn 4:24).
Hence, it is not possible that there be any physical instruments in heaven at all. In addition, the things written in the
Revelation are described as being “signified” (1:1). This word is translated from the Greek word esemaneni, which
means to make known by a symbol. It speaks of that which is not literal. Hence, the book of Revelation is filled with
symbolic language, the mentioning of the instruments being such.
Musical instruments in Christian worship must be rejected because the Lord never authorized them, the apostles
never sanctioned them, the New Testament writers never commanded them, the apostolic churches never used
them, no standard translation includes them and early Christians never allowed them. If we desire to please God,
which would involve conforming to the pattern of the New Testament in worship and our manner of life (cf. Col 3:17;
Heb 8:5), then we must not use, nor allow the use of, the mechanical instrument of music.
