It is no secret that the Jewish leaders in the days of Jesus hated Him.  They were constantly harassing Him, trying to get Him to make some kind of mistake that would condemn Him in the eyes of either the Roman authorities or, at the very least, the eyes of the common people.

In the last week of His earthly ministry, Jesus went to Jerusalem and found in the temple money-changers who were selling pigeons.  In righteous indignation, He drove them out (Matthew 21:12).  The next day, when He entered the temple again, He was confronted by the chief priests and elders, challenging His authority.  They asked Him the question, “By what authority are you doing these things” (Matthew 22:23).  While their motivates were wrong, the question they asked was a legitimate one.  In the realm of religion, we must have authority for everything that we do.

Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
¹⁷  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

To do something in the name of the Lord is to do it by His authority; hence, we must have authority for everything that we preach or practice religiously.  People often ask us in faithful churches of Christ why we do not use musical instruments in our worship services like everyone else.  The answer is simple—there is no authority for them in the New Testament.

It is easy to find authority for using musical instruments in the Bible, but it is impossible to find authority for it in the New Testament.  Since the law found in the Old Testament has become obsolete (Hebrews 8:13), one cannot argue that because David used musical instruments in worship, we can as well.  David was under a different law than we are today.  He was under a law that has been fulfilled and removed by God.

Ephesians 2:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

The law of commandments is a reference to the law of Moses.  Today, we are under the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21).  Where is the New Testament authority that authorizes the use of musical instruments in worship?  There is none.  The New Testament commands us to sing, not play (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians).

What is true concerning musical instruments in the church, is true about every other subject.  “By what authority do you do these things” is still a legitimate question to ask in religious matters.  Sadly, most churches today are not willing to even consider the question.  They worship the way they see fit, not according to the Word of Christ.  They use what is supposed to be the Lord’s money to finance fun and frolic and call that the work of the Lord.  The question of authority never seems to come up.

To act without authority is to sin.  In the Old Testament, God sent fire from heaven upon Nadab and Abihu because they acted without authority (Leviticus 10:1-3).  If we are doing things without authority today, God has a different kind of fire waiting for us (Revelation 20:14-15).

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.