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1 Corinthians 6:12 (KJV)
12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
I was raised Church of Christ. In the Church of Christ churches, music is looked upon as being evil. Because God didn’t tell us to do it, therefore, it’s pure evil. I’ve been to several of those churches throughout my life, and it seems that all of them at some point were split over whether or not to allow the use of musical instruments. By split I mean some or most of the members left to start a new church where the only difference would literally be that they played musical instruments.
Back in April of this year (2014), I moved from Texas to Ohio and started going to a baptist church. They play instruments. The first couple weeks I was so uncomfortable that I sat there rigid expecting the place to be destroyed any second. But soon I found that I preferred the music. It enhanced the worship for me. It didn’t hinder the worship.
Romans 14:2-3 (KJV)
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Paul isn’t talking about literal herbs. The context is talking about worshiping God. Verses 2 and 3, and the verse I opened this with, are basically saying, “If it enhances your worship without hindering it, and doesn’t go against the Bible, go ahead and do it”. You’re saved by believing in Christ and being baptized, not by playing music or singing A Capella.
Besides, Paul instructed us to use instruments. At least, he said to use string instruments. What? You didn’t know that? That’s because you don’t know Greek.
Ephesians 5:19 (KJV)
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms. The original Greek, psalmos (or ψαλμός) means “a striking (of musical strings)“. So Paul, through whom God spoke, tells us to strike a sting instrument and sing spiritual songs.
So we’ve seen here that not only does scripture give us the freedom to enhance our worship as long as it doesn’t hinder, but we’re also instructed to use string instruments.