by David Phillips
Recently, Jimmy Gee challenged us to recognize the importance of the instruction from Colossians 3 regarding the matter of music in worship. Clearly, verses 16-17 furnish us with the authority for vocal music in worship (16) and also remind us that we are to do only that which is authorized by the Lord (17 …in the name of the Lord Jesus).
However, a point that some seem to be confused on is the distinction between vocal music and instrumental music. The confusion is often evident in a statement like this: “But the musical instrument helps us to sing better and makes our singing more beautiful.” This statement may even be true, if “better” and “more beautiful” are to be judged in human terms. But the fact is, human pleasure and enjoyment are not the primary aims of worship music. Worship is offered to God.
Vocal music and instrumental music are two distinct types of music. They are produced by two separate and distinct sources. The source of vocal music is the human voice, a device created by God. The source of instrumental music is the mechanical musical instrument, a device invented by man. Each is a stand-alone type of music, and each can be complete without the aid of the other. It is not denied that when both are combined together, the result can be pleasing to the human ear, but the instruction for music in New Testament worship did not originate from a human source (2 Peter 1:21).
The New Testament is very specific in calling for singing in the worship we offer to God (Eph.5:19; Col.3:16). Singing is vocal music and music produced by a mechanical instrument is another music, in addition to singing. Where God has designated a specific thing to be used in His service, we dare not introduce an additional, or different one. This very important lesson is illustrated clearly in the case of Nadab and Abihu regarding the strange fire they attempted to offer to God, Lev. 10:1-3.
The New Testament does not authorize any kind of music we may desire, only vocal music!