Music in New Testament Worship

Articles

Derek Long
12/27/20 - Worship

Music in New Testament Worship By Derek Long

Jesus plainly teaches it is important for our worship to be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Worshipping in truth requires us to do what the truth teaches. From the early pages of Scripture, we can see God is concerned about how man worships Him. In Genesis 4:1-5 both Cain and Abel offer sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord accepts Abel and his sacrifice but rejects Cain and his sacrifice. God is not pleased as some would teach with whatever worship we might offer Him. Abel’s sacrifice was pleasing because it was offered by faith (Hebrews 11:7), which means it was offered in accordance with what God had commanded (Romans 10:17). Cain’s sacrifice was apparently not offered by faith or in accordance with God’s instructions and thus was rejected. In Leviticus 10:1-2, we read of another instance of worship offered to the Lord being rejected. Nadab and Abihu offer incense to God using profane fire which the Lord had not commanded. The text does not say they used fire God prohibited but rather simply used fire which was not commanded. Anytime we do something in worship to God without Him authorizing it we are failing to treat God as holy (Leviticus 10:3). As we consider the music to be used in our worship today, it is important we only use what is authorized by God if our worship is to be pleasing to Him. We are discussing music in New Testament worship because we need to remember we are no longer under the Old Testament (Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:6-13). We do not turn to the Old Testament to find out how we ought to worship God today. The Old Testament worship would have included animal sacrifices, offerings of incense, a Levitical priesthood, etc. The New Testament system of worship does not contain these things. Under the Old Covenant, God had commanded His people to use mechanical instruments of music in worship to Him (2 Chronicles 29:25) and they were used with God’s approval (Psalm 150:3-5). However, the New Testament is where we need to turn our attention to in order to find out the sort of worship God wants us to engage in today. The New Testament speaks of singing as the form of music used in worship to God. Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 speak about the disciples singing a hymn after Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. This event took place while the Old Law was still valid and yet would be one place where music toward God is mentioned in the New Testament. Acts 16:25 gives us the example of Paul and Silas singing hymns to God after they were thrown into prison in Philippi. Certainly singing hymns must have God’s approval based upon this example. Romans 15:9 and Hebrews 2:12 quote passages from the Psalms which mention singing to God. 1 Corinthians 14:15 speaks of singing as part of the worship of local churches and points out the importance of singing with the understanding. Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 provide instruction for us to speak, teach, sing, and make melody in the heart. These verses say nothing about playing a mechanical instrument of music. To go ahead and add a mechanical instrument of music to our worship would be equivalent to Nadab and Abihu offering profane fire God had not commanded them. Hebrews 13:15 tells us to offer the sacrifice of praise to God which is the fruit of our lips. Singing hymns would be one way we offer to God our praise. James 5:13 speaks about the person who is cheerful needing to sing psalms. We have several verses here throughout the New Testament which speak of singing or instructing us to sing. However, the New Testament is silent regarding the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship to God. Sadly many religious groups today fail to respect the authority of God when it comes to this topic. Let’s be content to worship God in the manner He has prescribes so we know our worship to Him will be acceptable!