The Regulative Principle of Worship teaches that God alone determines how He is to be worshiped. Because worship belongs to Him, the church must not introduce practices based merely on human preference, tradition, or creativity. Instead, we are to worship according to what God has commanded in Scripture. While some Christians conclude that this principle excludes musical instruments from corporate worship, we believe that a proper application of the Regulative Principle permits and even encourages the use of musical instrumentation as an aid to congregational praise.
First, Scripture repeatedly commands God's people to praise Him with instruments. Psalm 150 declares, “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!” (Ps. 150:3–4). The psalm culminates in a call for every available means of praise to be employed in glorifying God. While these commands were given under the Old Covenant, the Psalms remain the inspired hymnbook of the church and continue to instruct believers in the principles of worship.
Second, instruments should be understood as circumstances of worship rather than elements of worship. Our theology has historically distinguished between the elements of worship—which are directly commanded by God, such as prayer, singing, preaching, and the ordinances—and the circumstances of worship, which assist in carrying out those elements. The 1689 London Baptist Confession, for instance, teaches that there are circumstances concerning the worship of God that are to be ordered by “the light of nature and Christian prudence” according to the general rules of Scripture (22.1). Musical instruments do not constitute a separate act of worship. Rather, they support and accompany the commanded element of congregational singing.
Third, the New Testament nowhere prohibits the use of instruments. Opponents of instrumental worship often note that the New Testament commands singing but does not explicitly command instruments. However, the Regulative Principle does not require an explicit command for every circumstance that assists worship. Churches use pulpits, lighting, microphones, hymnals, and meeting houses without specific commands because these things facilitate the performance of commanded acts. Instruments may serve a similar role by supporting congregational singing and helping the gathered church praise God with one voice.
Furthermore, the heavenly worship described in Scripture includes instrumental praise. In Revelation, the redeemed and angelic hosts are portrayed worshiping God with harps before His throne (Rev. 5:8; 15:2–3). While these passages are symbolic in many respects, they nevertheless demonstrate that instrumental praise is not inherently contrary to God's will or incompatible with the worship of His people.
Therefore, we believe the Regulative Principle supports the use of musical instruments when they serve the God-ordained purpose of assisting congregational praise. Instruments must never overshadow the singing of the church or become objects of entertainment. Rather, they should function as humble servants of the Word, helping God's people joyfully fulfill the biblical command to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the glory of God.