According to some religious groups, musical instruments should not be allowed in church. But there are other groups that see nothing wrong with playing instruments in church. Those who are against instruments in church say that the New Testament is silent on the matter; therefore, we have no right to make it part of a church service. But is the New Testament really silent about music?
Jesus said to Peter, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)
The keys that Peter received were for unlocking the mysteries of the kingdom of God so that he and others could enter in at the door, which is Jesus Christ. But many self-righteous leaders of our day have done as the lawyers, scribes, and Pharisees did. Jesus said to them, “for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (Luke 11:52)
The same is true today. Many pastors and teachers have taken away “the key of knowledge” and replaced it with “the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9) Divided churches, opposing doctrines, and religious traditions have scattered the sheep far and wide. They are “carried about with every wind of doctrine.” (Ephesians 4:14) Churches try to justify all the division and confusion of doctrine by saying, “but we all serve the same God.” Nonsense! God is not the author of confusion, and Christ is not divided. Read 1 Corinthians 1:10 and take it to heart. It speaks to every person who calls themselves Christians. Man has built many walls of division, and such confusion is directly opposed to the word of God.
“And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her:” (Jesus said, “ye must be born again”) “and the highest himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people,” (in the Lamb’s book of life) “that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there.” (Psalm 87:5-7) Where is Zion?
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” (Hebrews 12:22-23)
The apostles of Christ were given authority to bind what they would on earth, which also meant that it was bound in heaven. Their words recorded in the New Testament try every doctrine, every intent of the heart, and every action, because their words are established by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost. Remember, their words condemn division in doctrine, which means that if it is bound or restrained here on earth, then it is also bound in heaven. Will man’s division and perverted teaching gain them eternal life?
A thing bound is bound in both heaven and earth. A thing loosed is loosed in both heaven and earth. If playing musical instruments in church is wrong, this means it is also restrained in heaven. According to one denomination, singing is loosed, but playing instruments with the singing is bound. So that means no playing of instruments in heaven, right? Let’s be sure. Listen to the apostle John.
“And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne.” (Revelation 14:2-3)
“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” (Revelation 15:2-3)
Unless playing instruments is done solely for the glory of God, it can become carnal and self-serving. Much of what we see in churches today is for entertainment. But a song of praise from a pure heart and the music that goes with it is pleasing to our Father. Proper singing without music is received of God. Proper singing with proper music is received of God. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
As some are so fond of saying, “we need book, chapter, and verse” to show that musical instruments should not be played in church. While it’s true that there are no verses that authorize its use in worship, it’s also true that there is not one verse, or even one word that condemns it. God most certainly allows instruments in heaven. Who has the authority to condemn it on earth, other than Christ and the apostles? And according to the words of Jesus, if it’s bound on earth, it would also be bound in heaven.
