Did God Authorize the Use of Mechanical Instruments in Temple Worship?

Did God Authorize the Use of Mechanical Instruments in Temple Worship?

Brother Waddey:
Where do we find the law that authorized the use of mechanical instruments in temple worship? It appears to me that they were authorized by King David, not Moses, and then allowed only in the outer court of the temple, only tolerated by God.
-Carlos

Dear Bro. Carlos:
The information you seek is found in II Chronicles 29:25. When Hezekiah purified and reformed the temple worship we are told, "He set the Levites in the house of Jehovah with cymbals, with psaltries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for the command was of Jehovah by his prophets."

Thus we conclude that God delivered this instruction to his prophets, Nathan and Gad. They conveyed the sacred message to David the king who then ordered the instruments included in the temple service. From Moses' day to that time such had not been the case.

This teaches us the great principle that nothing is to be introduced into the worship of God without his authorization. This principle is yet in force (Matt. 28:20-II John 9-11).

Since we are under the law of Christ rather than that of Moses we look to the New Testament for authority for what we do in our worship. There we find instruction and authority to sing and make melody with our hearts (Eph. 5:19), but none to use musical instruments with our singing

Sincerely,

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