Introduction

• Scriptures that refer to worship with music in the New Testament:
  • Acts 16:25
  • Romans 15:9
  • I Corinthians 14:15
  • Ephesians 5:19
  • Colossians 3:16
  • Hebrews 2:12
  • Hebrews 13:15
  • James 5:13

Why don’t we add instruments to that?

• The simple answer is: because God does not authorize us to do so.

God didn’t say NOT to.

God didn’t say NOT to … carry the ark on an ox cart.

• Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:15; 7:6-9 – God’s specifications for the ark.
• I Chronicles 13:7-12; 15:2, 2, 12-15
• God’s instructions:
  • Poles
  • Kohathites
  • Shoulders

God didn’t say NOT to … appoint a priest from Judah.

• Numbers 13:10; Hebrews 7:11-14; 8:4

God didn’t say NOT to … offer strange fire.

• Leviticus 10:1-2

God didn’t say NOT to … preach circumcision.

• Acts 15:5-6, 24

If God only authorized:	Then that leaves everything else unauthorized:
The Kohathites using poles to carry the ark on their shoulders	Ox cart, etc.
Priests to comes from the tribe of Levi	Priests from Judah, etc.
A certain fire	Some other fire, etc.
Preaching the gospel of Christ	Preaching circumcision, etc.
Singing as musical worship	Instruments, etc.

Instruments are just aids, like pitch pipes or song books.

• Mark 16:15 – “Go”: how?
• II Timothy 2:2 – “Teach”
• I Corinthians 16:1-2 – “collection … put aside and save”
• Psalms 150:1-6 – Instruments were regarded as worship under the Old Covenant.