One of the many things that makes this church different is how we worship. We do not use mechanical instruments while we praise God. We only sing. Why do we do that?

Many people who claim to be members of the Church of Christ are beginning to believe that God doesn’t care if we sing with instrumental accompaniment. Many are beginning to embrace a fairly new phenomenon in American church worship.

This should concern us. It should motivate us to ensure that we understand why we don’t worship with mechanical instruments in our assemblies. What is the real issue with instrumental music?

What the issue is not:

  • It is not tradition. We do not avoid worshipping with instruments because we are trying to keep some “Church of Christ” tradition. It is not that we all personally prefer acapella singing. Some of us may not!
  • It is not affordability. We are blessed to have many generous givers in this church. We are blessed to have a nice facility, technology, and an expanded parking lot. We also support preachers across the globe. We could easily afford to purchase many mechanical instruments.
  • It is not a failure to believe that the Old Testament is inspired. Certain musical instruments were indeed used to worship God in the Old Testament (2 Chronicles 29:25-28). We believe that all of the Old Testament is inspired and beneficial for our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4). We also believe that it was fulfilled by Jesus, done away with, and replaced by a new and better covenant (Galatians 3:23-25; 5:1-4; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:13).
  • It is not failing to be consistent. There is nothing we do here without generic or specific authority from the New Testament Scriptures (Colossians 3:17). Even if we did, that would not justify another church doing something unauthorized.

Does it matter how we worship God?

  • It mattered how Cain and Abel worshipped God (Genesis 4:3-5).
  • It mattered how Israel worshipped God (Exodus 20:3-5; 32:1-10; 39-40; 2 Chronicles 29:25).
  • It mattered how Nadab and Abihu worshipped God (Leviticus 10:1-2).
  • Jesus said it matters how we worship God (John 4:24).
  • Paul admonished us to follow the pattern God has given in Scripture (2 Timothy 1:13).
  • John warned us against failing to abide in the teaching of Christ (2 John 9).
  • Many passages authorize congregational singing (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 13:15). But there are not that authorize singing while playing mechanical instruments!

Conclusion:

Let us always seek to glorify God in our worship and not ourselves (Matthew 15:8-9).