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Why Does the church of Christ
Not Use Musical Instruments?
By C.E. White 10-14-04

Because GOD does not tell us too!

Galatians 1:8 "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"

If I play musical instruments in worship I have added too what has been taught and I have "assumed" that it is OK with GOD.  Assumptions are the mother of all foul ups. GOD did not make us assume that JESUS was sent for to save us. HE explicitly says it:

John 3:16&17- "For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS one and only SON,^[6] that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For GOD did not send his SON into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

HE also did not make us assume we were to be baptized.  HE gives us explicit instructions:

John 3:5 "JESUS answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of GOD unless he is born of water and the Spirit."

Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."

AND JESUS SAYS, John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
There are no assumptions about this.  HE has told us he expects to do as HE instructs us to do.

AND HE does instruct us to sing!

Acts 16:25  "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to GOD"
No mention of any instruments.

Romans 15:9  "so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:  "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
No mention of any instruments.

I Cor. 14:15 "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind."
No mention of any instruments.

Ephesians 5:19 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord"
No mention of any instruments BUT we are to make music in our heart.

Col. 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
No mention of any instruments.

Hebrews 2:12 "He says,    "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."

James 5:13 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise."
No mention of any instruments.

These are the only scriptures in the New Testament that say anything about singing. 
NO Instruments mentioned anywhere. 
It does say in Ephesians 5:19 to make "music" in your heart.

GOD has HIS ways.  GOD has HIS will.

AGAIN - if we play musical instruments in worshipping the LORD we have added to HIS instructions and those people who add to - even the original Apostles - are to be eternally condemned for adding to GOD's word.
 

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