The Use of Instrumental Music Today in the Light of New Testament Doctrine--Part Three
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Introduction:
Introduction:
1. In the last two sermons we have discussed...
1. In the last two sermons we have discussed...
A. The principle of biblical authority.
A. The principle of biblical authority.
1. Biblical authority was necessary in all three biblical dispensations.
1. Biblical authority was necessary in all three biblical dispensations.
A. Patriarchal age- Cain and Able
A. Patriarchal age- Cain and Able
B. Mosaical age—Nadab and Abihu
B. Mosaical age—Nadab and Abihu
C. Christian age—Paul thirteen letters
C. Christian age—Paul thirteen letters
B. Which covenant applies to the church.
B. Which covenant applies to the church.
2. The next logical step to give biblical proof for how the bible authorizes.
2. The next logical step to give biblical proof for how the bible authorizes.
A. The bible authorizes in one of three ways...
A. The bible authorizes in one of three ways...
1. Direct command
1. Direct command
2. Implication
2. Implication
3. Example
3. Example
B. If one of these three ways is not present in any doctrine, then the doctrine is not supported by the New Testament and is thus a man-made doctrine to be discarded.
B. If one of these three ways is not present in any doctrine, then the doctrine is not supported by the New Testament and is thus a man-made doctrine to be discarded.
9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Body:
Body:
1. The first biblical authorization method is “direct command”.
1. The first biblical authorization method is “direct command”.
A. An example of direct command in the Scriptures is Matthew 28:18-20.
A. An example of direct command in the Scriptures is Matthew 28:18-20.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
1. This statement by Jesus is in the imperative mood and commands the hearer to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.
1. This statement by Jesus is in the imperative mood and commands the hearer to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.
2. It is also taught in Mark 16:15-16, though some would argue that this command if Jesus is in the long ending of Mark and therefore should be left out of the Bible.
2. It is also taught in Mark 16:15-16, though some would argue that this command if Jesus is in the long ending of Mark and therefore should be left out of the Bible.
A. This argumentation is not sound, because the same command is given by Jesus in Matthew and supported by the other authors of the Bible, including the apostles.
A. This argumentation is not sound, because the same command is given by Jesus in Matthew and supported by the other authors of the Bible, including the apostles.
1. For example, Luke recorded Peter commanding those who were in attendance on the day of Pentecost to be baptized for the remission of their sins.
1. For example, Luke recorded Peter commanding those who were in attendance on the day of Pentecost to be baptized for the remission of their sins.
2. Therefore, the doctrine of baptism for the remission of sins is authorized by the New Testament by way of direct command.
2. Therefore, the doctrine of baptism for the remission of sins is authorized by the New Testament by way of direct command.
3. This gives biblical sanction to the church to teach and practice baptism as proper or sound doctrine and removes God’s consent from anyone who would teach otherwise.
3. This gives biblical sanction to the church to teach and practice baptism as proper or sound doctrine and removes God’s consent from anyone who would teach otherwise.
A. The command given by Jesus leaves no choice but for the faithful servant of God to obey.
A. The command given by Jesus leaves no choice but for the faithful servant of God to obey.
4. If there are any direct commands given by Jesus or any of the other inspired writers of the New Testament authorizing instruments to be used in New Testament worship, then the question of using instrumental music today is answered and approval for instruments is given by God and would result in leaving no choice but for the faithful servant of God to obey the command.
4. If there are any direct commands given by Jesus or any of the other inspired writers of the New Testament authorizing instruments to be used in New Testament worship, then the question of using instrumental music today is answered and approval for instruments is given by God and would result in leaving no choice but for the faithful servant of God to obey the command.
A. Upon further examination of God’s Word, no such command can be found.
A. Upon further examination of God’s Word, no such command can be found.
B. On the contrary, the only command that can be found by an inspired writer of the New Testament is the command to sing.
B. On the contrary, the only command that can be found by an inspired writer of the New Testament is the command to sing.
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
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. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
5. People who promote the use of instrumental music in the church’s worship claim that the Greek word psallo could mean “to pluck and play a stringed instrument,” but I would not concede that is what is meant in Ephesians 5:19.
5. People who promote the use of instrumental music in the church’s worship claim that the Greek word psallo could mean “to pluck and play a stringed instrument,” but I would not concede that is what is meant in Ephesians 5:19.
A. One could look at the scholarly writings of Thayer or Vine to show the meaning of psallo in the New Testament, but it is not necessary to show psallo in Ephesians 5:19 does not mean “to pluck or play a stringed physical instrument.”
A. One could look at the scholarly writings of Thayer or Vine to show the meaning of psallo in the New Testament, but it is not necessary to show psallo in Ephesians 5:19 does not mean “to pluck or play a stringed physical instrument.”
B. The instrument is given in the context of Paul’s message.
B. The instrument is given in the context of Paul’s message.
1. The melody is coming from the strings of the human heart; thus the instrument is the heart.
1. The melody is coming from the strings of the human heart; thus the instrument is the heart.
2. The command to sing excludes every other doctrine because the direct command given to sing requires the faithful servant to obey.
2. The command to sing excludes every other doctrine because the direct command given to sing requires the faithful servant to obey.
6. The doctrine of instrumental music should thus be rejected, unless there is authorization by either the means of implication or example.
6. The doctrine of instrumental music should thus be rejected, unless there is authorization by either the means of implication or example.
2. The second method of New Testament authorization is by means of implication.
2. The second method of New Testament authorization is by means of implication.
A. The very existence of God is implied by Paul in Romans 1:20 and then that implication is bound on the readers.
A. The very existence of God is implied by Paul in Romans 1:20 and then that implication is bound on the readers.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
1. Paul recorded: “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.”
1. Paul recorded: “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.”
A. This means that a person who has never seen a Bible is still bound by implication to conclude that there is a God.
A. This means that a person who has never seen a Bible is still bound by implication to conclude that there is a God.
B. God;s evidence by means of creation is so undeniable that Paul recorded “so they are without excuse.”
B. God;s evidence by means of creation is so undeniable that Paul recorded “so they are without excuse.”
B. David recorded in Psalm 14:1....
B. David recorded in Psalm 14:1....
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
1. If a person did not have the Scriptures and only had creation, God still holds that one responsible for knowing He exists and expects that one to seek after Him and find His Word.
1. If a person did not have the Scriptures and only had creation, God still holds that one responsible for knowing He exists and expects that one to seek after Him and find His Word.
C. If there is any place in the New Testament where instruments are so implied that a person would be without excuse for not using them in the worship of God, this minister, after years of searching, has not found such an authorization by implication.
C. If there is any place in the New Testament where instruments are so implied that a person would be without excuse for not using them in the worship of God, this minister, after years of searching, has not found such an authorization by implication.
1. Therefore, it is the deduction of this sermon that one does not exist, hence, authorization for the use of instrumental music does not exist by means of implication in the New Testament.
1. Therefore, it is the deduction of this sermon that one does not exist, hence, authorization for the use of instrumental music does not exist by means of implication in the New Testament.
2. The doctrine of using instruments in worship to God should thus be rejected, unless there is authorization by the means of example.
2. The doctrine of using instruments in worship to God should thus be rejected, unless there is authorization by the means of example.
3. The last method in which the New Testament authorizes is by means of example.
3. The last method in which the New Testament authorizes is by means of example.
A. The observance of the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week is authorized by means of example.
A. The observance of the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week is authorized by means of example.
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
1. This gives authorization to partake of the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week and since there is no direct command, implication, or other example given in the Scriptures to practice otherwise, it is forbidden.
1. This gives authorization to partake of the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week and since there is no direct command, implication, or other example given in the Scriptures to practice otherwise, it is forbidden.
B. If there are any examples of instruments being used in New Testament worship, this minister has not found any.
B. If there are any examples of instruments being used in New Testament worship, this minister has not found any.
1. Some of the denominational world tries to use Revelation 5:8 and 14:2 as being examples of instruments being used in worship to God.
1. Some of the denominational world tries to use Revelation 5:8 and 14:2 as being examples of instruments being used in worship to God.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
A. However, New Testament worship as is done in the church is not the context in either of these passages.
A. However, New Testament worship as is done in the church is not the context in either of these passages.
B. The context of both passages is worship in heaven and therefore mute to the point.
B. The context of both passages is worship in heaven and therefore mute to the point.
C. In both passages, the harps are figurative because there will be nothing physical in heaven.
C. In both passages, the harps are figurative because there will be nothing physical in heaven.
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1. In Revelation 14:2, many versions use the words “as” or “like” the sound of harpists.
1. In Revelation 14:2, many versions use the words “as” or “like” the sound of harpists.
2. For example, the English Standard Version reads--
2. For example, the English Standard Version reads--
2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,
C. So, having no authorization by means of example, the conclusion must be drawn that instrumental music in worship must be rejected in the light of New Testament doctrine.
C. So, having no authorization by means of example, the conclusion must be drawn that instrumental music in worship must be rejected in the light of New Testament doctrine.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
1. We found no authorization for instrumental music in the worship of the Church.
1. We found no authorization for instrumental music in the worship of the Church.
A. Therefore, since Colossians 3:17 says we must have authorization for everything we do instrumental music must be rejected.
A. Therefore, since Colossians 3:17 says we must have authorization for everything we do instrumental music must be rejected.