“Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them.” (Leviticus 10.1, ESV)¹

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¹Notice in our text that they “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them”. Here is an example of two individuals who did not glorify God by obeying His word. Though they were worshipping God, they were not worshipping according to His commandments, or in this case, they were offering something He had not even commanded!

Many religious people worship God however they want to. For example, God has commanded His children to sing while assembled to worship Him (Col. 3.16; Eph. 5.19, etc.). However, the majority of people play mechanical instruments coupled with singing. One may argue, “There’s nothing wrong with using instruments in worship - the Bible does not say we cannot do it!”

First, this argument admits that the Bible is silent concerning mechanical instruments in worship, and second, this argument is given by those who want to serve God however they please and not by whatever pleases Him. To say we can use instruments when God never commanded them (that is, acting without His authority) and then to argue that God “did not say not to” is to be guilty of the same thing Nadab and Abihu were - adding to the word of God (Rev. 22.18-19).

Notice the consequence of their addition to God’s silence: “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.”’ And Aaron held his peace.” (Lev. 10.1-3, ESV)

If God has been silent on something, that does not necessarily mean we have the authority to do whatever we please. We cannot be saved if we act without authority from God. Just ask Nadab and Abihu!

We at the Franklin Drive Church of Christ strive to obey the authority of Jesus. We have music in our assembly - A cappella music - because our Lord has commanded us to sing. We can know that when we sing we are pleasing to Him. If you’re interested in learning more about God’s will and authority and what the Bible teaches concerning singing and mechanical instruments, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3.16, ESV)¹

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¹The Bible teaches us in Colossians chapter three to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. In a parallel verse, the Bible says, “speaking [addressing, ESV] to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5.19, NKJV).

Notice that God wants us to sing (see also Matt. 26.30; Acts 16.25; James 5.13, etc.). Further, He wants us to teach while singing. While some songs are designed to praise God, other songs are designed to encourage us to obey the gospel or to remain faithful. This can only be done through A cappella music, for no mechanical instrument ever taught any man the gospel.

Since God wants us to sing, the melody is to be made in our hearts. While melody can certainly be made mechanically, the melody that pleases our Father and is commanded by Him is the melody produced in the heart and from the fruit of our lips.

If you’re interested in learning more about singing and praising God according to His word, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905. Also, you’re welcome to come to our gospel singing tonight (March 31st, 2017) at 7pm.