God commanded the use of instrumental music in worship in the Old Testament (II Chronicles 29:25-29).

The New Testament does not condemn the use of instrumental music in worship in any way.

The New Testament (under which we live today) says, "Is any merry, let him sing psalms" (James 5:13).

Psalm 33:1-3, Psalm 92:1-3, and Psalm 150 all say it is good to praise God with instrumental music.

The word for "psalm" or "making melody" (Eph. 5:19) comes from the Greek word "psallo" which includes the idea of using stringed instruments in praise to God.

Revelation 5:8; 14:2, and 15:2 all mention harps (stringed instruments) in heaven. Although Revelation is full of symbolic language, would God use a symbol of an instrument if He indeed does not approve of their use in worship?

If God commanded and approved of instrumental music in worship in the Old Testament, and instruments are mentioned (even symbolically) as being used in worship in heaven, and if the New Testament no where discourages their use in worship, how can man be right in going beyond what is written in scripture to condemn their use and to condemn those who use instruments in worship to God?

If a congregation decides not to use instrumental music in worship, that is their right since the New Testament does not command its use.

If a congregation decides they will use instrumental music in worship, that is also their right, since the New Testament does not condemn its use.

However, the New Testament does warn against division in the body of Christ (I Cor. 1:10; 3:3; Rom. 16:17; Jn. 17:21). Let us not make the use or non-use of instrumental music a test of fellowship between brothers in Christ and between sister congregations. We should be "forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:2-3). The silence of the scriptures and the opinions of men give absolutely no good reason for division among Christians.