Could you please tell me why the church of Christ does
not use mechanical instruments of music in worship?
I have been asked this question on more than one
occasion. Some people want to sincerely know, while others
are antagonistic. Whatever the case may be, I am always
ready and willing to answer their question.
The first thing that we must establish is Biblical
authority. Col. 3:17 commands us, “And whatsoever ye do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God and the Father by him.” The expression “in the name of
the Lord Jesus” simply means “by the authority of the Lord
Jesus.” Hence, whatever we do, we must do so by the
authority of Jesus. If there is no authority for a practice,
then we must not do it. For example, God commanded Noah
to build the ark out of gopher wood. God did not authorize
Noah to use any other kind of wood. This same principle of
authority applies in our worship to God today.
The second thing that we must understand is the fact
that God demands that we worship him in a prescribed way –
not just any way that we desire. John 4:23-24 tells us that
we must worship the Father in spirit and in truth. To
worship in truth means by God’s word (John 17:17). The OT
example of Nadab and Abihu clearly illustrates the point that
they worshipped God incorrectly. They offered strange fire
that God had not authorized them to use. When people
today offer worship to God that he has not authorized, then
such constitutes vain worship (Matt. 15:9), and they have
added to God’s word, which equals sin (Rev. 22:18).
Let’s apply the two above truths to the issue of
mechanical instruments used in worship. God has
commanded and authorized that there be congregational
singing (everyone sing). God has authorized the specific
action of singing. God has authorized that we sing psalms,
hymns, and spiritual songs. God has authorized that we
make melody in our heart to the Lord. These things are
clearly established in Eph. 5:19 & Col. 3:16. Those who
advocate the use of mechanical instruments of music in
worship must provide the scripture that authorizes there
use. The answer to this question is very simple: THERE IS
NO BIBLCIAL AUTHORITY FOR THEM!