BY WHAT AUTHORITY DO WE SING?

Almost all religious groups have some form of singing, and possibly other music, as part of their worship. Our goal in this article will be to establish the music, which is authorized by God’s word.

Two verses stand out in this regard: please read Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3: 16. Both clearly specify “singing.” In addition, “speaking one to another” and “teaching and admonishing” can only be done by singing.

While these are sufficient to make our singing an act of faith, there are many other references to singing in the New Testament (e,g., Mt. 26:30, Acts 16:25, Rorn. 15:9, 1 Cor. 14:15, Heb. 2:12, James 5:13). However, search though we might, we cannot find any authorization for any other type of music or instrumental accompaniment.

I know of no one who believes that it is wrong to sing in worship to God without instruments. Why not just do what we know is right? However, since most denominations use some form of instrumental music, the question arises: “is it acceptable to do this without the same authority that we have for singing?” (See 2 Jn. 9.)

Let us answer this question by looking to a man of faith in the Old Testament (Heb.11:7). When God told Noah to build an ark (Gen. 6:14), he could was free to build it of any materials that he chose with any tools that he chose, and still be obedient to God. However, when God said to use gopher wood, this removed all other types of wood from being authorized. So, while he could still use any available tools, he was not at liberty to use any other wood (even a little bit of it), since this would no longer have been “of faith.” It would have been Noah’s judgment over God’s.

God has specified singing. While many see no reasons that instruments were not authorized, the fact that God specified singing and not instruments should be enough. While there are many things (like Noah’s tools) that we can do to assist our singing, we cannot augment the worship of God with a type of music, which He has not authorized (even a little bit of it).

The issue of instrumental music is not a matter of personal preference or church tradition. Those who insist upon scriptural authority for EVERYTHING that they do will not worship God in any way that He has not authorized, for to do so is not “in truth” (Jn. 4:24). If we can take this step without God’s authority, then what rationale prevents us from taking any other steps?