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Articles
Instrument of Satan
One time while in the Lexington Kentucky area, we went over to Midway College to see an antique melodeon. What is significant about this item is it’s historical background. You see in 1860 at the congregation of the people of God , in Midway Kentucky, L. L. Pinkerton introduced this melodeon into worship. Of course this caused quite a stir in the church. In fact it "caused so much trouble in Midway that Adam Hibler, an elder of the church, removed the ‘instrument of Satan’ from the church late one night with the assistance of a Negro servant, Reuben, who passed it out to his master through a window." This is a quote from a copy of an article run in the Lexington Sun newspaper, dated April 10, 1938; which I picked up there near the melodeon display.
The issue and question about instrumental music in worship is an issue about divine authority. Paul said, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Rom.12:2. Notice Paul said, to prove what is the will of God, not assume it to be so. We must be able to give book, chapter and verse, that would authorize the use of mechanical music in worship. Jesus talked about religious people who would be rejected in the day of judgment, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matt.7:23. One translation says, "Go away, the things you did were unauthorized." Now if those who use instrumental music can give forth some scripture that will show instrumental music is authorized by God, this will settle it for me. I have looked for years, in fact, I used to think instrumental music was acceptable, and was bent on proving it to be scriptural. But I have not found the passage to authorize it. So I judge, I would have to concur, based on biblical principles that this melodeon was an " Instrument of Satan," because it is a work of iniquity, lawlessness, unauthorized. Drop me a note if you have the Bible verse that authorizes it's use.
