20/04/2021
My name is Daniel Ogunjimi. I serve as a Gospel Preacher at Church if Christ, Igboya, Ile ife, Osun State.
Instrumental Music in the Worship of God*
Week 1: General Introduction to Instrumental Music in Worship
Week 2: Music in the Old Testament
Week 3: Music in the New Testament
Week 4: Scriptural Answers to Common Arguments Used to Defend Instrumental Music in Worship Today.
[4/20, 8:16 PM] daniel ogunjim: *General Introduction to Instrumental Music in Worship*
In Christendom today, there are more churches that use instrumental music in their worship to God than those who do not.
The voice of history shows that the reverse was the case in the first few hundred years after Christianity started. When some, not many, churches wanted to introduce instrumental music into worship, history tells us that it sparked division.
If the use of instrumental music was a divine command from God, the early Christians would have unanimously accepted it seeing that they were people of great faith. They braved many odds to serve God. Some of them even paid with their lives when it came to it.
Christianity is a religion that is based on truth. We are commanded to get to the truth on all matters especially when it comes to acts of worship to God.
This study sets out to investigate the truth about music in worship to God so that we can carry out this act of worship meaningfully and acceptably.
Since The Scriptures is the only infallible authority we have in terms of worshipping God, it will be our source for establishing the truth about music in worship.
[4/20, 8:30 PM] daniel ogunjim: It is important that we understand the following truths as we proceed in this study:
1. God does not want man to worship Him with what He has not commanded.
2. When God gives a command on what to do as an act of worship, it automatically excludes every other thing anyone might come up with.
Lev 10:1-2: "Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them. Fire came out from before Yahweh, and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh."
3. There is a difference between Proskuneo and Latreuo. These are 2 Greek words often translated as worship in English. Proskuneo refers to specific acts carried out at specific times in a specific place while Latreuo refers to the totality of service a Christian renders to God.
Our consideration of instrumental music in worship references Proskuneo not Latreuo.
In other words, a Christian can listen to instrumental music and enjoy it for leisure provided it contains messages that are consistent with the Christian profession but cannot use it to worship God.
4. Whether by direct command, approved apostolic example, or necessary inference, there is no authority for instrumental music in Christian worship. We have to look elsewhere for that authority, which is a dangerous thing to do for our souls.
Col 3:17: "Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him."
Phil 4:9: "The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
[4/20, 8:34 PM] daniel ogunjim: Throughout the Scriptures, we encounter 3 forms of making music namely:
1. Singing
2. Playing Instruments that produce Characteristic sounds (Clapping, Timbrel, Harp etc)
3. Singing and Playing Instruments simultaneously.
Each of these will be carefully considered subsequently to arrive at the truth about music in Christian worship.
[4/20, 8:37 PM] daniel ogunjim: Conclusion
God expects us to make music in worship to Him. When God gives a command, there is always a word of hearing about how to obey that command. Music is not exempted. We will do well to abide by His command to sing and make melody in our hearts to Him.
Heb 13:15: "Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name."
Thank you.
