Matthew 28:18 “…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

Arguments for Mechanical Music in Worship

Mechanical music was used under the Old Law. This is a true statement 2 Chron. 29:25; Psa. 150 The Old Law was “nailed to the cross.” Col. 2:14; Deut. 5:1-3; Gal. 5:1-4

John Calvin (Presbyterian): “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to Him.”

Mechanical music is not expressly forbidden. There are two kinds of music: vocal & mechanical Vocal music in worship is the only music found in the N.T. Acts 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Jas. 5:13; Heb. 2:12 When a specific is commanded, any other specific of a different sort is excluded.

Adam Clarke (Methodist): “Music as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. This is the abuse of music; and here I register my protest against all such corruptions in the worship of the Author of Christianity.”

John Wesley (Methodist): “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.”

There will be mechanical music in heaven. Revelation 14:2 Mechanical music as used under the Jewish system was not sinful. As a type, though, the antitype replaced it.

Charles Spurgeon (Baptist): “Israel was a school, and used childish things to help her to learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes . . . We do not need them. That would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto him. This it the sweetest and best music. No instrument life the human voice.” “I would as soon attempt to pray to God with machinery as to sing to Him with machinery.”

Mechanical music is just an aid to the specified vocal music. Problem: Mechanical is another kind An aid cannot be another kind Gal. 1:6-9

Martin Luther: Call the organ an “ensign of Baal.”

“Psallo” means accompanied with mechanical instruments. The Greek “psallo” is “making melody” Eph. 5:19 Greek grammar requires action by all “Psallo” doesn’t necessarily mean “sing with musical accompaniment.” Psa. 33:2

Catholic Encyclopedia: “…the first Christians were of too spiritual a fiber to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice.”

Arguments for Mechanical Music in Worship