Why The Churches Of Christ Doesn’t Have Instrumental Music

The use of instrumental music has always set apart the churches of Christ and most all denominations. I have heard and seen many defenses of why the churches of Christ don’t use instruments. Well intended preachers will spend lots of precious time in defining what singing means, and this would be fine except one thing: It has no biblical basis. How often do we hear, “Where does the bible say not to use instruments?” Actually the bible does answer why instruments of music are not pleasing to God when the church assembles together.

DON’T GO BEYOND WHAT WAS WRITTEN

It was the apostle Paul who said we should learn from the apostles not to go beyond that which was written. 1 Cor 4:6 Why was in important for Paul to instruct us to learn this? It is because God is the one in control of man and not man in control of God. What God commands us to do as Christian we can do, but what God does not command us to do we are prohibited to do. Where did the bible say this? Actually, it said it over and over again both in the old and new testaments.

Notice the warnings: Moses speaking to Israel, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Deut 4:2 He repeated these warnings in various ways. Take note: “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deut 5:32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” Deut 12:32 “You shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.” Deut 28:14 So, why did God by the hand of Moses warn Israel so many times not to add or subtract from his Word? It is because God wants us to obey him and this can only be accomplished when mankind doesn’t put their opinions in it. The scripture is not God’s Word and Man’s Word combined. God retains sole possession of his Word, and it is by his Word only shall mankind be judged according to our deeds, whether good or bad. Jn 12:48 f; 2 Cor 5:10,11

Now take in consideration the actions and warnings of the apostles of Jesus: Peter and John answered and said to them,”Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20 What makes this imperative is that Jesus promised that he would send the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13 What the Holy Spirit heard was from God himself who sent him. Jn 14:26 Having understood this, then one can also appreciate what Paul meant when he said, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Cor 2:13 Therefore, if the apostles only wrote and spoke what they heard and saw from the Holy Spirit, who spoke only what he heard from God, then if we don’t go beyond that which was written we are obeying God exactly as he commanded. Take note of what the apostle Peter said, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Pet 4:11 This is imperative because not only were the apostles under the restrictions of not speaking but what they heard and saw, but we as well can’t go beyond that which was written.

The last warning God gives to mankind on this subject is contained in the book of Revelation. John warned, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev 22:18-19 God protects his prophesy in such a manner that one can have their name removed from the Lamb’s book of life by adding to or taking from it. As Peter said, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 God never has allowed mankind to alter his Word or His Prophesy.

Conclusion: Knowing all this, now one can easily see why the churches of Christ doesn’t have instrumental music. It is because God never commanded the use of instrumental music. If the churches of Christ were to use instruments of music, they would be adding to God’s Word. Remember the sins of men who broke this law of God? Remember how God killed Nadab and Abihu for using a strange fire? Remember how God killed Uzzah for touching the Ark of the Covenant? Remember, the nature of God changes not? Mal 3:6 f; Heb 13:8 If the use of instruments is worth your eternal soul, then use them. If not, then abide by what was written and do not go beyond it.