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First, yes, God authorized music. But it was singing that He authorized, not instruments made with hands. In Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, we find authorization for churches to sing. (And this was what was done in Christian assemblies for centuries before instruments were added.) Singing is a kind of music. If you understand how authority works—whether in the home, school, military, government, or church—you understand that when an item in a class is specified all other things in that class are excluded. For example, God specified that the ark be built of “gopher wood.” This excluded other kinds of wood that were not mentioned. Thus, instruments (not being mentioned) are outside the command to sing and are excluded.
Second, “Does it matter?” I’m asking if it matters whether or not we need to demand authority for what a local church does collectively. The Lord’s church is governed by the New Testament. However, we learn how God deals with His people from the Old Testament. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). God was particularly strict when it came to matters of worship if He had specified how something was to be done. He made an example out of Nadab and Abihu for adding or using “strange fire” which He had not commanded or authorized (Lev. 10:1; Numbers 26:61). That the Jews understood the need for authority is apparent from the following question asked of Jesus: “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?” (Matt. 21:23). Authority was important then and it is just as important today.
Third, “Do you care?” I ask this question because it seems that many are apathetic regarding the need for authority. They seem to have concluded that since we are no longer under the Law grace allows man to do things his own way, rather than God’s way. But it needs to be understood that sin is transgression and transgression is failure to comply with God’s teachings (1 John 3:4). Further, it is evil to deliberately transgress God’s commandments (Heb. 10:26). Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Pet. 3:12). Yet, some are convinced of the need to join the denominations in using instrumental music—thinking it will bring in more people. But, again, if it is not authorized it does not please God and is therefore evil. Paul wrote, “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just” (Rom. 3:8). Did you catch that last phrase: “whose damnation is just”? These words should be cause for church leaders to care and to be certain they do not engage in evil (even though the intent is that “good may come”) that will result in their “own damnation.”
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