Why Primitive Baptist and Old regular baptist don't use instrumental music

[Old Union Brother]

Over in another thread the question was asked:

please explain why the Primitive Baptist Still Forbid even a piano in their churches. They sign, but without music.

I'm not Primitive Baptist but I can answer the question. I am an Old Regular Baptist and we have the same belief in using no instrumental music as the Primitives. No where in the NT is the use of instrumental music used in worship. Please read the following from one of the Primitive Baptist brothers:

The Scriptural Record

The following list includes every reference to the type of music which the early New Testament church used in worship to God. An examination of these Scriptures make plain the kind of music which God designed for His church.

1) And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mt. of Olives - Matt 26:30; Mark 14:26.

2) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God - Acts 16:25.

3) For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name - Romans 15:9.

4) I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also - 1Cor 14:15.

5) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord - Eph 5:19.

6) 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 - Col 3:16.

7) In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee - Heb 2:12.

8) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms - James 5:13.

Conclusions Drawn from Consideration of the Scriptures

Where in the inspired record of the New Testament church is there found a single reference authorizing instrumental music in worship? Nowhere! The most careful, meticulous investigation of the New Testament will not produce a single word in favor of this practice. One may search the New Testament in vain for either command, example, or inference for the use of musical instruments in worship service.

The Lord's church is a New Testament institution, and the New Testament tells the items of worship the Lord put in it. It has been shown that the New testament is silent concerning instrumental music in the worship. It is evident that those who do use musical instruments in the worship service do without Scriptural authority.

When Christ ascended back into heaven, the Holy Spirit undertook to guide the disciples of Christ in their activities of worship (John 16:13). The Spirit guided the apostles into singing and into exhorting others to sing, but the Spirit never guided the apostles into performing upon instruments in worship or into exhorting others to do so.

The entire article on why instrumental music is not used can be found here.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

In the Psalms, we are told to praise the Lord with stringed instruments, cymbals, etc..

True there is no command to use musical instruments in the New Testament, but on the same token, there is no command NOT to use stringed instruments.

Paul told Timothy that

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Psalms are part of Scripture, and therefore can be used for instruction in righteousness.

So, in light of the fact that we are told to use musical instruments, it is clear that when we don't, we are in disobedience to God's Word.

 

[Jerome]

The Scriptural Record

The following list includes every reference to the type of music which the early New Testament church used in worship to God. . . .

5) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord - Eph 5:19.

6) 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 - Col 3:16. . . .

8) Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms - James 5:13.

Also I Cor. 14:26 ("when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm")

I wonder do the Primitives sing the Psalms?

You know the ones that exult about praising the Lord with harp and psaltery, trumpet and cymbals.

How awkward is that?

 

[Old Union Brother]

The history forum is not a debate forum... I was answering a question posed... I am not attacking anyone's way of worship....It is obvious that you did not read the article...You need to take heed to your signature line....

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Merely pointing out a fact that is backed by Scripture.

And I was pointing out that fact in love, so I was in line with my signature :wavey:

 

[rsr]

The history forum is not a debate forum... I was answering a question posed... I am not attacking anyone's way of worship....It is obvious that you did not read the article...You need to take heed to your signature line....

That is correct. However, I don't see how the topic (as it is posed here) can keep from engendering debate.

The topic is worthy of consideration, so I am moving it to the theology forum.

 

[Old Union Brother]

That is correct. However, I don't see how the topic (as it is posed here) can keep from engendering debate.

The topic is worthy of consideration, so I am moving it to the theology forum.

I had no intent on this becoming a debate I was simply answering a question posed in another thread. I will not get involved in debate over this.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I had no intent on this becoming a debate I was simply answering a question posed in another thread. I will not get involved in debate over this.

Thank you for your sincere contribution:thumbs:

 

[rbell]

Also I Cor. 14:26 ("when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm")

I wonder do the Primitives sing the Psalms?

You know the ones that exult about praising the Lord with harp and psaltery, trumpet and cymbals.

How awkward is that?

Yup, an excellent question.

 

[revmwc]

Over in another thread the question was asked:



I'm not Primitive Baptist but I can answer the question. I am an Old Regular Baptist and we have the same belief in using no instrumental music as the Primitives. No where in the NT is the use of instrumental music used in worship. Please read the following from one of the Primitive Baptist brothers:



The entire article on why instrumental music is not used can be found here.

I am not debting this but have a question. This seems close to the Church of Chrsit belief also, what are the differences in doctrine betwwen the Primitve, Okld Union and C of C?

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Thare are also some Reformed churches that do not use instruments in worship. The Free Church of Scotland has only just changed its policy on the matter and the FCS (Continuing) and some other smaller groups continue to sing only unaccompanied metrical Psalms.

Spurgeon never had an organ or other musical instruments in the Met Tab and here is at least one Reformed Baptist church in England that is a capella (the term means, of course, 'in the chapel'). http://www.salisburyemmanuel.org.uk/

The rationale behind this is that the Temple worship of the OT with its choirs and instruments, priests and incense, is all gone in the New Covenant and therefore only worship prescribed in the NT should be performed (Heb 8:13 etc.). Since instruments are not mentioned in the NT, they have no place in New Covenant worship.

For myself, I think the use of an instrument to keep the congregation in time and in tune is acceptable, but I deplore all the entertainment, the noise and the worldliness of so many churches today. Maybe that's got something to do with my age, but maybe, like the Puritans of old, we should be looking for a simpler, purer form of worhip.

Steve

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Thare are also some Reformed churches that do not use instruments in worship. The Free Church of Scotland has only just changed its policy on the matter and the FCS (Continuing) and some other smaller groups continue to sing only unaccompanied metrical Psalms.

Spurgeon never had an organ or other musical instruments in the Met Tab and here is at least one Reformed Baptist church in England that is a capella (the term means, of course, 'in the chapel'). http://www.salisburyemmanuel.org.uk/

The rationale behind this is that the Temple worship of the OT with its choirs and instruments, priests and incense, is all gone in the New Covenant and therefore only worship prescribed in the NT should be performed (Heb 8:13 etc.). Since instruments are not mentioned in the NT, they have no place in New Covenant worship.

For myself, I think the use of an instrument to keep the congregation in time and in tune is acceptable, but I deplore all the entertainment, the noise and the worldliness of so many churches today. Maybe that's got something to do with my age, but maybe, like the Puritans of old, we should be looking for a simpler, purer form of worhip.

Steve

IE....no bongo players need apply....LOL

 

[menageriekeeper]

"in tune and in line"

The PB church in my area does this by use of a "music school" camp type thing that is held every summer.

Their form of a capella music is a cultural art form that should be respected.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Also I Cor. 14:26 ("when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm")

I wonder do the Primitives sing the Psalms?

You know the ones that exult about praising the Lord with harp and psaltery, trumpet and cymbals.

How awkward is that?

In the same token, I wonder if those who insist on using the Old Testament as a basis for use of instruments in music, still sacrifice animals ?

 

[jaigner]

This is a very antiquated position that is a tiny speck of a minority. I respect them for holding on so strongly, but I have to believe it's now more traditionalism than anything else.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

In the same token, I wonder if those who insist on using the Old Testament as a basis for use of instruments in music, still sacrifice animals ?

I understand that they do Pino....but now they have a pianist accompany the sacrifice.....(Sarcasm) :laugh:

Guess I'm just being a mean Calvinist:tongue3: Bang zoom!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This is a very antiquated position that is a tiny speck of a minority. I respect them for holding on so strongly, but I have to believe it's now more traditionalism than anything else.

& being a music teacher and all.....could this possibly cloud your judgement?

 

[revmwc]

No where in the NT is the use of instrumental music used in worship. Please read the following from one of the Primitive Baptist brothers:



The entire article on why instrumental music is not used can be found here.

Not to debate but another question here in 1 Corinthians 14:6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

Verse 7 talks about the use of instruments and in context with verse 6 it would appear Paul is saying that the Corinthians were using instruments in their churches. His point in them was that they must have a distinct sound one that is known. When a song is played on them it must be known the tune must be familiar to the hearer. Most of the old hymns are very easily recognized (known) when they are played. So how do you interpret this?
Paul was not condemning musical instruments he was just saying they must make distint sounds. Just as the tongues (languages) did no good without revelation or knowledge or prophysing or by doctrine. They are worthless if it is not known waht is meant by them.

Then of course we are told throughout the book of revelation of harpers harping. Even calling them the harps of God.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Spurgeon never had an organ or other musical instruments in the Met Tab and here is at least one Reformed Baptist church in England that is a capella (the term means, of course, 'in the chapel'). [
Steve

Thats correct Steve.....Here is CHS's commentary:

As for instrumental music, I fear that it often destroys the singing of the
congregation, and detracts from the spirituality and simplicity of worship. If I could
crowd a house twenty times as big as this by the fine music which some churches
delight in, God forbid that I should touch it; but let us have the best and most orderly
harmony we can make—let the saints come with heir hearts in the best humour, and
their voices in the best tune, and let them take care that there be no slovenliness and
discord in the public worship of the Most High.

 

[Jerome]

Thats correct Steve.....Here is CHS's commentary:

As for instrumental music, I fear that it often. . .

Key word is often.

I have to believe it's now more traditionalism than anything else.

Bingo.

Spurgeon made short shrift of their stale opinions in his sermon "Beware of Unbelief":

we need to escape from these horrid ruts, and wretched conventionalisms, which are rather hindrances than helps. Some very stereotyped brethren judge it to be a crime for an evangelist to sing the gospel; and as to that American organ,—dreadful! One of these days another set of conservative souls will hardly endure a service without such things

More, from the pages of his Sword and Trowel:

Messrs. Clark and Smith, two worthy students of our college, will commence evangelistic work next August. We have engaged to find them a maintenance, that they may go through the length and breadth of the land and preach Christ. They are very lively and able speakers. Mr. Smith is a singer, and also plays upon a cornet, by which means he not only fetches in the people to the service, but interests them when they are gathered together. We have made him a present of a new silver trumpet, upon which is engraved a verse from the Psalms, “With trumpet and sound of cornet, make a joyful noise before the Lord the King.”