When trying to understand what the Bible says about a subject, understanding the difference between aids and additions is critical. For example, the Lord told His follower to take the unleaven bread and the fruit of the vine to remember His death (Matt. 26:26-28). If we added chocolate cake to this remembrance, would that be an aid or an addition? The two foods (unleaven bread and fruit of the vine) were specifically called out in the verse, so adding chocolate cake would be an addition. What if we placed the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine on a table during this process? The verses say nothing to include or exclude a table – it is merely helpful to accomplish what the verses focus on. The table is an aid. Do you see the difference?

Consider the command to use music in worship to God. Music can be vocal, instrumental or both. Which did God command? The inspired word of God states that we are to sing using our voices, so singing is clearly acceptable (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). What if instruments were also used during the worship though?

To answer this, let us revisit the example of the Lord’s Supper. What would be the harm if we added chocolate cake to the Supper and also kept the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine? Cake is still not authorized as only unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine were specifically called out. Chocolate cake is not required. Instruments are not required to fulfill the command to sing during worship, nor is there any authority to add them.

Like the table in the Lord’s Supper, song leaders and books are aids to singing. An instrument is not an aid because it is a different form of music. Other ways to create melodies, like whistling and humming, are also additions because they do not use “words” as commanded.

Keep in mind that as we look at musical notes in hymnals, we also look at the corresponding words of praise. However, playing an instrument involves no words. There is a difference between singing praises to God making melody in our hearts to the Lord (Col. 3:17), and using a mechanical instrument.

                                                                                              Chuck