Instrumental Music In Public Worship And “Lucifer”
(More Bible Studies Available @ www.marktabata.com)
Colossians 3:16-17-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. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The main reason that churches of Christ practice acapella music (vocal, without instrumental accompaniment) in our public worship is because God teaches us to respect what He has authorized in His Word, coupled with the principle of Bible silence. So the sons of Levi were punished for introducing unauthorized fire in the worship of God (Leviticus 10:1-2), and God’s specification that the tribe of Levi was to bear the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:8) automatically forbad the other tribes from doing so (1 Chronicles 15:2). In the same way, God’s authorization for singing in the public worship assembly of the church specifies acapella music (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17). There are, however, other good reasons to reject instrumental music in the public worship assembly of the church, including this interesting bit of information.
In the Book of Isaiah, the Prophet denounces the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4, 16). In his denunciation, Isaiah compares this wicked king to “Lucifer.”
Isaiah 14:12-15-How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
The comparison between the king of Babylon and Lucifer is shown in at least three ways. First, the rebuking of the king of Babylon is called a “proverb” in Isaiah 14:4. The Hebrew word is mashal, and is translated in the Greek Old Testament with the word parablos (or “parable.”). A parable is a comparison, thus showing that the king of Babylon is being compared to “Lucifer.” Second, the person the king of Babylon is being compared to is connected with the netherworld, which again makes perfect sense with Satan (Isaiah 14:9). Third, near identical language from this “Lucifer” passage is applied to Satan in an ancient document known as the The Life Of Adam And Eve, a work that dates to between the fifth and seventh centuries B.C and is referenced also by Jesus and Paul (for a more detailed study, see https://marktabata.com/2023/04/23/the-ancient-connections-between-the-king-of-babylon-and-satan-isaiah-1412-17/)
Here is where this gets interesting and relevant to our present study. Look at what the text says about Lucifer:
Isaiah 14:11-Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, And worms cover you.’
Commentaries through the ages have speculated about whether or not the mention of instrumental music as alluded to in this passage played a factor in Satan’s fall from grace. To be clear, I don’t know if it did or not. But one thing is clear: this passage makes an uncomfortable connection between instrumental music, worship, and Satan: and that should be enough to give everyone pause.
Let us offer to God the worship that we know He says pleases Him:
Hebrews 13:15-Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
When you speak with your friends and loved ones about the “unique” way that churches of Christ worship God, try and share with them the Bible reasons of why we do so. It isn’t a “church of Christ” thing (as many I’ve studied with over the years have assumed): instead, there are good Bible reasons for why we do what we do.
Father, we praise You and thank You for being the good and holy God that You are. May we always strive to honor You in spirit and truth, as Your Word teaches pleases You. In Christ Jesus Name we pray, Amen.