I recently began a search on the internet of other Church of Christ websites (as I often do, because I build church of Christ websites), and was amazed at what I found at some of theses sites concerning how they worship. 

I share these with you, before we begin our discussion of scriptural worship:

 

Here at Ringwood Church of Christ we seek to be relevant to our community and our culture in our unique expression of worship.

Our weekly opportunities for worship are times for the whole church to gather together as one, to meet with God through prayer and worship, to enjoy the good company of other Christians and to grow spiritually as we explore God's word.

At Ringwood you can expect to find:

 

•Friendly people of all ages who genuinely care about each other.

•Music that is contemporary and inspiring

•Messages that are relevant and practical

We embrace and celebrate the use of artistic communication like drama, dance, puppetry, musical items, and video.  Our various services cater for people of all ages and stages of life.

 

The worship ministry at Otter Creek plays a vital role in providing an environment of praise and worship in our assemblies. People involved in this ministry may participate on one of several praise teams. They may also be involved in the large productions we do or they may be behind-the-scenes working with stage management or organization of events.

Praise Teams

The members of the praise teams serve primarily as praise leaders for each service at Otter Creek. They also direct thoughts through means of special songs and readings. Members of the praise team will be expected to live as worshippers.

Musical Productions

We have established a tradition of excellence in the arts. Traditionally, we do a full-scale musical with costumes, stage, and lighting at Easter and a smaller-scaled production at Christmas. Both productions are approached from a highly professional point of view and with the expectation that we can have high quality productions in churches today. We would love for you to be a part of that with us. Believe me, there IS a place for YOU!

 

The worship ministry at Eastside plays a vital role in providing an environment of praise and worship in our assemblies. People involved in this ministry may participate on one of several worship teams. They may also be involved behind-the-scenes working with the audio, visual, or lighting for services and special productions.

Worship Teams

The members of the worship teams serve primarily as praise and worship leaders at each Eastside service. They also direct thoughts through means of special songs and readings. Members of the praise team will be expected to live as worshipers.

AVL Teams

Members of the Audio-Visual-Lighting teams serve during the worship assemblies in the booth at the back of the auditorium. Their unique gifts help to facilitate a time of being in the presence of God from week to week.

Musical Productions

We believe that worship is also achieved through excellence in the arts. We have begun a summer 4th of July musical production called Freedom Celebration, and possibly a smaller-scale Christmas production. Both are approached from a highly professional point of view and with the expectation that we can have high quality productions in churches today. We would love for you to be a part of that with us.

Here at Memorial we believe that the role of Worship Ministry in the church is two fold. First and foremost, our ministry exists to lead people in an authentic time of corporate worship, acknowledging God as our audience of one. Second, our ministry is an outreach tool. We have the responsibility to communicate clearly, with excellence, the relevance of God’s church to our community. The bottom line is that any church that doesn’t seek to create culturally relevant forms is moving away from a fundamental biblical paradigm. Just as Jesus did, we must meet our community head on.

Mission & Philosophy

We seek to be people in sync with the Spirit of God..."Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done."  You might hear this phrase in our worship time!  We seek to continue to form disciples into the image of Christ in our worship together.  We seek to have an atmosphere where God's presence is encountered, prayer is common, the Supper is shared, and praise is important.  You will encounter a diverse, blended worship experience.  Most importantly, we seek to honor and glorify God with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength.

Praise Teams

When you come to North Davis, whether it be the first time or you've been coming here forever, one of the striking features of worship is our A Cappella singing.  We have a cherished tradition of worshipping musically through 4-Part Choral harmony.  One of the ways we seek to keep and enhance this wonderful tradition is through the use of praise teams.  Singers on each voice part are mic'd to help us continue to sing in parts and to help us learn many new songs.  This team scheduled for a given week practices on Wednesday evening after church to prepare for the upcoming Sunday.  This group consists of people who excel in solo singing one-on-a part (on a microphone) and is formed by audition only.  To find out information about joining a praise team, email D.J. by clicking here.

Celebration Choir

We also have a larger group that sings on occasion.  If you find yourself wanting to share your musical gifts in a larger group where you aren't individually miked, this is the group for you!  This group Sings for special events, like our annual Christmas Musical, weddings, funerals as well as on Sunday mornings that fall on months with a fifth Sunday.

Worship Technology

Yet another way we enhance our worship experience is through the use of technology.  The Media & Production team runs our sound, video, camera, and computer on a weekly basis.  They also help facilitate other media needs in the church.  If you are gifted in the use of technology or you are interested in becoming a part of this team, email D.J. by clicking here.

Drama & Other Creative Arts

-->like to participate in skits & plays using drama...there is a place for you

--> are a graphic artist, website designer, photographer, painter, artist...we'd love to know who you are and what your gifts are so we can find a place to use you!  We're constantly seeking new ways to be creative in our worship assemblies...

 WORSHIP IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

 

Worship in the New Testament embraced both attitude and form. Jesus spoke of worship in this way in John 4:24:

 

“God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit d in truth.”

 

Worship must not be robbed of its emotional content or made void of feelings. However, it must also be based upon the truth of God’s word. True worship is not based upon doing things the way we like, or the way that most people like it. We have to look through scripture to find the God affirmed acts or items of praise and devotion to God.

 

Worship is not a spectator sport in which the worshipers sit in the stands giving their approval or disapproval to those performing in the arena. In true worship, the worshippers are involved in the action. Worship is not a dramatic production in which the ‘clergy’ are the actors and the worshippers are the audience. In true worship, God is the audience, and the worshipers are the actors. (1)

 

Earle Cairns has this to say about the corporate worship of the early church.

 

During the first century, two services were held on the first day of the week. That day was adopted as the day of worship because it was the day on which Christ rose from the dead (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10). The morning service most likely included the reading of Scripture (Col. 3:16), exhortation…, prayers, and singing (Eph 5:19). The love feast (I Cor. 11:20-22), or agape preceded the Communion during the evening service, By the end of the first century the love feast was generally dropped and the Communion celebrated during the morning service of worship. (2)

 

It is also interesting to look at what we know about worship during the second and third Centuries.

 

WHERE CHRISTIANS MET

 

The early Christians did not think of a church as a place of worship. A church signified a body of believers who were called out of the world and into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They met in homes (Acts 12:12; Romans 16:5 Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1-4), the Temple (Acts 5:13), public auditoriums (Acts 19:9), and synagogue as long as they were permitted to do so (Acts 14:1, 3; 17:1; 18:4). Everett Ferguson said:

 

Not until the age of Constantine do we find specifically constructed buildings. Any space where an assembly was permitted was a possible site for Christian gatherings.(3)

 

CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLIES

 

Between A.D. 110 and 113 the Roman Emperor Trajan received a series of letters from Pliny, the governor of Bithynia. Pliny was concerned about what he considered a cult who met secretly within his governmental domain. His letters give some ideas about the types of things Christians practiced in their assembly in the early second century.

 

….It was their habit on a fixed day to assemble before daylight and recite by turns a form of words to Christ as a god; and that they bound themselves with an oath, not for any crime, but not to commit theft or robbery or adultery,

 

not to break their word, and not to deny a deposit when demanded. After this was done, their custom was to depart, and to meet again to take food, but ordinary and harmless food; and even this (they said) they had given up doing after the issue of my edict, by which in accordance with your commands I had my edict, by which in accordance with your commands I had forbidden the existence of clubs(4)

-Clement of Alexandria (150-220 A.D.)

 

Always giving thanks in all things to God through righteous hearing and divine reading, true inquiry, holy oblation, blessed prayer, praising, hymning, blessing, singing, such a soul is never separated from God at any time.(3)

THE DAY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

 

Ignatius (born about 50 A.D.)

 

If therefore those who lived according to the old practices came to the new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath but living according to the Lord’s day, in which also our life arose through him and his death (which some deny), through which mystery we received faith, and on account of which we suffer in order that we may be found disciples of Jesus Christ our only teacher, how shall we be able to live apart from him for whom even the prophets were looking as their teacher since we are disciples in the spirit (Magnesians 9) (3)

 

The Epistle of Barnabus. This could be the oldest uninspired Christian writing (69-79 A.D.). He was antagonistic towards the Judaizers, and worked to harmonize the Old and New Testaments.

 

Moreover God says to the Jews, ‘Your new moons and Sabbaths I cannot endure.’ You see how he says, ‘The present Sabbaths are not acceptable to me, but the Sabbath which I have made in which I rested from all things, I will make the beginning of the eight day which is the beginning of another world.’ Wherefore, we (Christians) keep the eight day for joy, on which also Jesus arose from the dead and when he appeared ascended into heaven. (3)

THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

The roots of the Lord’s Supper are deeply intertwined in the Passover Meal which God instituted shortly before the Israelites escaped Egyptian bondage. Jesus did share many meals with his disciples but the Passover meal he shared with them the night he was arrested was special. (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:1-21). Jesus gave it an all new meaning. However, our knowledge of exactly how the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in the first century is limited.

 

In the mid second century, sometime between A.D. 140 and 155 Justin Martyr wrote his Apology to the Emperor Antionius Pius. This philosopher, teacher, apologist informed the emperor of this account of the meal:

 

Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he, taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at his hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen is the Hebrew for ‘so be it’. And when the President has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those of us who are called deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and the wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion. (5)

 

The Didache was a church manual used by the early church that some have dated between (110-120 A.D.)

 

Concerning the Eucharist, give thanks in this way: First concerning the cup, ‘We give thanks to you, our Father, for the holy vine of David, your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be the glory forever.’ Concerning the broken bread, ‘We give thanks to you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be the glory forever. As this broken bread scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one loaf, so may your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. Because the glory and the power are yours through Jesus Christ forever.’ No one is to eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord. (3)

SCRIPTURE READING IN WORSHIP

 

The first Christians were Jews. It should not be surprising that they would bring to their new faith and worship the custom of reading from Scripture. Paul wrote to Timothy, (I Timothy 4:13)

 

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”

 

Later in the second century Justin Martyr wrote,

 

The memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits (1st Apology67) (6)

 

CONCLUSION

 

The location of worship is not what is important. Worship takes place inside us. Our attitudes and emotions must blend with the God ordained items or acts of devotion. The Christians of the second and third centuries continued the external forms of worship that began in the first century by Jesus and his apostles.

 

We need to continue to worship God in spirit and truth today!

 

 

 

The following is published on a Primitive Baptist Website, and answers the biblical question “Should we use an Instrument in Public Worship” better than any that I have read, so I present it here:

The Testimony of Great Religious Leaders

Today a vast majority of churches use instrumental music in worship, while the Primitive Baptist churches are among the few which do not, being content with the original New Testament practice of congregational singing. Even in many churches which do use the instrument, the practice is of only comparatively recent origin and often introduced over the protest of great Bible scholars and religious leaders. The following quotations will illustrate this:

A.       John Calvin, one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church: "Musical instruments in celebrating the praise of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and 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." John Calvin's Commentary, Ps. 33.

B.       Adam Clarke, the greatest commentator of all time among the Methodists: "I am an old man, and an old minister; and I here declare that I never knew them (musical instruments) productive of any good in the worship of God; and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much evil. 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." Clarke's Commentary, Vol. 4, page 684.

C.        John Wesley, the reputed founder of the Methodist Church, is quoted by Adam Clarke to have said: "I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen." Clarke's Commentary, Vol. 4, page 684.

D.       Martin Luther, a distinguished reformer, "called the organ an ensign of Baal." McClintock and Strong's Encyclopedia, Vol. 6, page 762.

E.        Charles H. Spurgeon recognized as one of the greatest Baptist preachers that ever lived, who preached for 20 years to thousands of people weekly in the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, London, England, did not have musical instruments in the worship. M.C. Curtest, Instrumental Music in the Worship, page 196.

F.        Conybeare and Howson, famous scholars of the Church of England, in commentary of Eph 5:19 say, "Make melody with the music of your hearts, to the Lord...let your songs be, not the drinking of heathen feasts, but psalms and hymns; and their accompaniment, not the music of the lyre, but the melody of the heart." Life and Epistles of St. Paul, Vol. 2, page 408.

G.       J.W. McGarvey, well-known minister of the Church of Christ, "It is manifest that we cannot adopt the practice without abandoning the obvious and only ground on which a restoration of Primitive Christianity can be accomplished." What Shall We Do about the Organ?, page 4.

The above religious leaders, not a one of whom was a member of a Primitive Baptist church, have been quoted, not for the purpose of proving instrumental music in the worship wrong (the fact that Christ left it out proves that), but to show that the practice of having instrumental music in the worship service has been rejected by many religious leaders of the world. If no one taught instrumental music in the worship wrong, it would not change the New Testament teaching. But it is interesting to note that historians, encyclopedists, and religious leaders are agreed that the music characteristic of the New Testament is the music characteristic of Primitive Baptist churches.

Instruments Used in Old Testament Worship

Some attempt to justify instrumental music in New Testament worship by saying that it had a place in Old Testament worship. But if that authorizes the playing of musical instruments in the worship, it will also authorize the offering of animal sacrifices and the burning of incense in the worship. If men bring instrumental music into the worship service today on the ground that it is mentioned in the O.T., consistency demands that they bring animal sacrifices and the burning of incense also. In the O.T. David said, Praise him with psaltery and harp, praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with stringed instruments and organs (Ps 150:3-4). Are we to have dance as part of our worship today? Is it acceptable to pick out of Jewish worship just what we want, leaving the rest, or rather should it not be to find out what God has seen fit to continue and sanction for Christian worship?

Prayer was a part of Jewish worship, as was the burning of incense and animal sacrifice. Christians today rightly continue prayer as an act of Christian worship and reject the burning of incense and animal sacrifice on the principle that we are now living under the law of Christ in which prayer is commanded and exemplified. Burning incense and animal sacrifice are not sanctioned in Christian worship, and the New Testament is just as silent on the use of instruments of music in worship.

Today we are living under the New Testament rule rather than the Old Testament authority. If we rightly divide the word of truth, we must understand that the law (that is, the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments), is become our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (Gal 3:24-25). The beautiful lesson of the Transfiguration teaches us that Christ is the only begotten Son of God and to Hear ye Him (Matt 17:5). We do not practice circumcision as a religious rite because we are to hear Christ and not Moses. We do not use mechanical instruments of music in worship because we are to hear Christ, not David.

Christians do not keep any of the old covenants. Christians keep some things that were in the old covenant but they keep them not because they were in the old, but because they were made a part of the new.

Instrumental Music Used in Heaven

Many who favor musical instruments in the worship service turn to the book of Revelation and cite Scriptures which speak of harps in heaven and conclude that whatever is suitable in heaven should be permitted in Christian worship. In a typical passage, Rev 5:8, And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. In the first place, Revelation is a highly symbolic book which draws aside the curtain of the future and gives us a picture of spiritual things in heaven. In the second place, even if the things mentioned here are literal, the fact remains that it would be very unsound reasoning to conclude that mechanical instruments of music should be used here because harps are used in heaven. This verse from Revelation also mentions beasts and golden vials full of odors (incense). If we follow the principle that what is acceptable in heaven is acceptable in the church, not only must we have harps, but we must also have beasts and incense. There will be no marriage or giving in marriage in heaven (Matt 22:30); shall we abolish it here? There will be no baptism or Lord's Supper in heaven, but Christ commanded both to be practiced in the church.

Instruments Used in the Home

It has been said that instruments of music are all right in the home, so why not in the church? If one will stop to think, he can name several things in the home which would not be suitable for Christian worship. Washing hands is an act of cleanliness in the homes, but Jesus condemned it as an act of worship (Mark 7:1-13). Eating meat and vegetables is all right in the home, but we would be desecrating the Lord's Table to put it there.

The home is governed by moral law. Anything that is morally right is all right in the home. Things morally right can be religiously wrong when used as an act of worship, if not authorized by the Scriptures. There is nothing morally wrong with burning incense in the home for the purpose of deodorizing the house, but as an act of worship it is wrong since it is unauthorized by the New Testament. Both singing and instrumental music may be enjoyed in the home, but we can bring into the worship service only that which is approved by the New Testament for that purpose; namely, vocal music.

Does Not Luke 15:25 Offer New Testament Example?

Some have claimed that the prodigal son is a type of an erring Christian, and that his father's house is a type of the church. Since the return of the prodigal was celebrated with music, some conclude that it is permissible to play instruments in Christian worship. But it is only assumed that these are true types. Furthermore, if instrumental music is to be included because it is found in the prodigal son story, then the robe, the ring, the fatted calf, and the dancing must also be included, for all these things are included in the story. Such an interpretation proves more than advocates of instrumental music in the worship service desire.

Our Talents Should Be Used for God

Some contend that since every talent is a gift from God, they should all be used in worshipping Him. Since playing an instrument is a special ability, they conclude that it must be used in the worship of God. This is, no doubt, sincere reasoning, but it is very unsound. There are many talents and abilities which we cannot introduce into the worship of God. There are athletically inclined young men in the church who can perform acts of physical prowess. Should they perform these acts in the worship of God? There are those who have the ability to tell funny stories. Should this ability be utilized in the worship service?

Does Not Instrumental Music Uplift Our Religious Feelings?

There are some who contend that instrumental music in the worship service is good because it stirs our emotions and makes us feel good. But it is not how we feel that counts; it is how God feels. In spiritual matters we are not to be guided by our thoughts and feelings; we are to be guided by the word of God. And the word of God does not authorize the use of musical instruments in the New Testament worship service.

Did the Apostles Worship in the Temple with Them?

Some contend that Christ and the apostles worshipped in the temple with instrumental music. This point has to be assumed, for the Bible nowhere teaches it. The Old Testament shows that the whole range of music was employed in the temple at one time, but historians hold that there were no instruments in the temple during the time of Christ. About 20 years before the birth of Jesus, Herod the Great tore down the old temple and rebuilt it on a grander scale. This was the one in use when Jesus was on earth. Reliable sources maintain that it never had a musical instrument in it. Even granting that there was, we are not authorized to play instruments in the worship today, for we are living under the gospel and not the law.

Instruments Are Merely Aids to Worship

To see through the fallacy of the above argument it is necessary to see the difference between aids to the worship service and additions to it. An aid is something that helps you to do the thing that the Lord directed without adding an element to the thing commanded. An addition is adding a new element to the service. Notice the following illustrations:

God told Noah to make thee an ark of gopher wood... (Gen 6:14). God specified the kind of wood, but that did not eliminate aids. What aids could he use?

Commandment	Aid	Addition
Use gopher wood	Hammer, Saw	Poplar, Oak

If built with the hammer and saw, it would still be an ark of gopher wood. If another type of wood were added, it would not be that which the Lord commanded.

Christ asked us to eat the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him (1Cor 11:20-26). What would constitute an aid and an addition to the Lord's Supper?

Scriptural Example	Aid	Addition
Fruit of the vine	Table	Milk
Bread	Plate	Meat

If served with a plate and on a table, the specified food would still be partaken. If another type of food were added, it would not be that which the Lord commanded.

Christ wants us to sing. He gives the commandment to sing. He specified the type of music. What would constitute an aid and an addition?

Commandment	Aid	Addition
Sing	Song books, Notes	Play

If we sing with a song book which has notes, the specified music would be heard by God and nothing else. If another type of music were added, it would not be that which the Lord commanded.

The instrument is not an aid. It is an addition! Therefore, it is not acceptable as an aid. It was never an aid. In the Old Testament, it was considered worship by David (Ps 150).

The same thing concerning aids and additions can easily be demonstrated in the matter of church buildings, baptisteries, etc. Nothing is done with them that is not within the scope of God's will concerning the worship service. They do not set up actions in worship separate and apart from that, which God has ordained, such as is involved in the use of instrumental music.

God has commanded Christians to meet (Heb 10:25). He has not specified where to meet. They can meet under a tree, by a riverside, in a large building, in a private dwelling, in the daytime, at night, etc. No matter where they meet, when they meet to worship God according to the activities that He has designated (singing, praying, etc.), they are doing no more nor less than God's will. They have not added anything; the building just aids them as a convenient place to meet. They have added nothing to the Lord's command to meet.

When Christ commanded the church to baptize, He implied everything that was necessary to carry out the command. He did not say "Go to the water," but in executing the Lord's command, we find the apostles going to the water. In using a baptistery, Christians do not baptize and do something else at the same time. If one baptizes a penitent believer in a baptistery, a river, a lake, or a pond, he is doing no more nor less than is required in the command to baptize.

Perhaps the following chart can help to further distinguish between aids to worship and unscriptural additions to worship:

God's Command	Aid or Addition?	Man's Response	Conclusion
Baptize	Baptistery	Baptize	Aid
Meet	Church building	Meet	Aid
Sing	Song books	Sing	Aid
Sing	Piano	Play	Addition

God commanded the church to baptize, meet, and sing; but, nowhere did He command the church to play. When one baptizes in a baptistery, he is not baptizing and doing something else at the same time. When one sings with a song book, he is not singing and doing something else at the same time. But when one sings and plays the piano or other instrument, he is singing and playing at the same time.

Christ affirmed that the Law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms are written (Luke 24:44). Therefore, it is obviously permissible to have a written psalm book. He has also commanded us to sing hymns and spiritual songs. So it is obviously permissible for us to have books containing hymns and spiritual songs.

What about the Tuning Fork or Pitch Pipe?

An occasional attempt is made to justify the use of instrumental music in worship service by contending that even those who don't use instruments in the service sometimes use a tuning fork or pitch pipe to secure the pitch.

In the first place, musical instruments and pitch pipes are not one and the same. Music, properly defined, is a succession of tones in an orderly, melodic pattern. The pitch pipe or tuning fork is not designed to produce a succession of tones in an orderly, melodic pattern. Its sole purpose is to secure the pitch for the singing.

It is impossible to sing without pitch; therefore, pitch is a necessary part of the command to sing. God has not specified how to secure the pitch, which is a necessary part of the command to sing; therefore, those who sing can secure the pitch by any orderly, convenient means.

After the pitch pipe or tuning fork has been used to secure the pitch, it becomes silent and the worship in song takes place. Nothing has been added to God's plan of worship. The tuning fork or pitch pipe introduces no independent kind of musical activity in the worship service as do the instruments of music.

Conclusions

If we could remember that music in Christian worship is not for the purpose of entertaining, but for teaching and for exalting, we would have no trouble seeing why God demanded vocal music and left out instrumental music. The following chart can help the Bible student to see the way in which the Scriptural purposes of music in worship are best fulfilled:

The Bible Says to:	The Voice:	The Instrument:
Speak in song (Eph 5:19)	Can	Cannot
Teach (Col 3:16)	Can	Cannot
Admonish (Col 3:16)	Can	Cannot
Sing with Spirit (1Cor 14:15)	Can	Cannot
Sing with understanding (1Cor 14:15)	Can	Cannot
Make melody in heart (Eph 5:19)	Can	Cannot

In summary, the human voice is capable of doing everything which God commands us to do as music in worship, while the instrument is incapable of doing anything required by music in Christian worship except make melody, and it does not do that in the right place - the human heart.

It is significant that all the elements of Christian worship are based upon living things! Our bodies are living sacrifices (Romans 12:1); God's New Testament temple is made up of lively stones (1Peter 2:5); the music of worship is performed on the most spiritual of all earthly instruments, the living, human heart and voice.

It was not an oversight on the part of God that He left instrumental music out of Christian worship; He makes no mistakes. Only God can know what is pleasing and acceptable to Him. Therefore, we must consult His Word as to what pleases Him in the worship service, and we rejoice because He has given us His will in the matter in such plain language.

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