Ques. Why is it wrong, or not suitable for us to have instrumental music in our meetings when the Scriptures speak, in the Psalms and other places, of David and other saints, of employing harps and trumpets and cymbals in the service of the Lord? And in the future they will praise His name in the dance, and sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp. (Psa. 149).
ENQUIRERS.
Ans. Israel was and shall be in the future God's earthly people. The veil shut them out from God's immediate presence, and in the future, in the new temple during the reign of Christ, there will be doors answering the purpose of the veil. They therefore have not the nearness that we, the Church of God, have; they have not the intimate relationship of members of the body of Christ or of children of God, the Father. Ours is a spiritual relationship, and, therefore calls for spiritual worship and intercourse with God. And it is by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that we worship. In John 4:23, 2423But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23‑24), "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth;" again, Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18), "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord:" again, Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3), "We are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit (here it is by the Holy Spirit. See N. T.), and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Again, Col. 3:1010And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10), "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another; in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Again, in Heb. 13:10-1610We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:10‑16), we find our heavenly altar which the earthly people could not eat of. Verse 15 says, "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
This worship is offered in the holy of holies, the immediate presence of God, which is the Christian's place of worship (Heb. 10:19-2219Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19‑22)). Again, 1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5), "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." Every New-Testament scripture is spiritual worship from the death and resurrection of Christ; and the absence of instrumental music makes one feel instinctively that such would be out of place in the service of God for Christians.
The camp in Heb. 13 was Judaism. It recognized man in the flesh. The death of Christ, now risen and glorified, put an end to this to every intelligent Christian. Paul, the apostle, wrote, "I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live;" and again, Col. 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3), "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." We are dead with Christ and risen with Christ. So we are called on to go "outside the camp unto Him" bearing His reproach; for Christendom is now such a leavened mass that Christians who know their place "in Christ" must needs seek a separate path through it, if they would walk with the Lord. (See 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)).
Let me remind you that we belong to Christ in heaven, and are therefore heavenly. Our calling, our sacrifice, our priesthood, our altar, are all heavenly.
What a lowering of the truth it Would therefore be to bring in music to please the ear of man according to the flesh, and not have it in the Spirit. Israel's worship was display and show to please the flesh. We are to sing with the Spirit and with the understanding also.
May we ever seek to worship Him in the ordered way, the only way to please Him to whom we belong.
Could we consistently, with our heavenly calling, use in our service in the gospel what God has left out as unsuited to Him in worship in His presence, and think it suited to Him in His service in the gospel, either to children or adults? Nay rather, may we ever seek through grace what is suited for His presence and pleasing to Him.