Instrumental music in Christian worship is not acceptable to God or the New Testament

=====Introduction===== Hey, I'm a sophomore student at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and I decided to take you up on this debate. I am a slightly seasoned debater, for I've really only been debating for nearly two months. I do, as a Protestant Christian, believe that instruments should be used in church services for worship; but before I elaborate on my arguments, I'd like to answer yours as followed: 1. First I'd like to state the definition of the phrase "musical instrument", assuming that is what you are referring to, according to Princeton University's online etymology database, the phrase "musical instrument" is defined: 'any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds', therefore the voice is a musical instrument because it creates musical tones/sounds by vibration in the vocal chords. Also know that with the exception of wind and percussion instruments, all acoustic instruments make musical sounds with chords. So, now that we know that the human voice is a musical instrument, here are a couple of examples which tell us to use our voices to praise the lord: - Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." -Ephesians 5:19 (New International Version) "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord" 2. Again, I state some examples in the New Testament which refer to singing in worship: -Matthew 26:30 (Mark 14:26) "After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." -Acts 16:25 "But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;" -Romans 15:9 "and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." -1 Cor. 14:15 "What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also." 3. There are many different ways of worship, so people in the O.T, do not necessarily need to always use instruments in worship. I would like to make known, though, that I am NOT saying that instruments are not acceptable to God or the N.T, I am merely saying that musical instruments are not the only way to worship. I will list an example taken from the Old Testament: -"And his brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ " (Gen. 4:21). Matthew Henry comments on this verse thusly: "Jubal was a famous musician, and particularly an organist, and the first that gave rules for that noble art and science of music. When Jubal had set them in a way to be rich, Jubal put them in a way to be merry. Those who spend their days in wealth will not be without the timbrel and harp, Job. 21:12-13. From his name, JUBAL, probably, the jubilee trumpet was so called; for the best music was that which proclaimed liberty and redemption." Mr. Henry may have gotten somewhat carried away with his comments. However, the word "father" in the verse must indicate that either the invention and refining of the instruments or the playing of them began with Jubal and continued with his children. I think it refers to both the instrument and its use. This does not show that mechanical instruments were authorized for worship in the Old Testament but does show that they were available. The words "harp" and "organ" are from words that were more general in meaning. The New American Standard says "lyre and pipe." The words in the Hebrew apparently mean "string" and "wind" instruments. We do not know when percussion instruments came into being but they were of early origin and may have been the first. 4. As you can see in the previous response, I did list an example of instrument use in the Old Testament. So, as you may be able to conclude, instruments were definitely used before the New Testament was written. 5. I need clarification on this question, are you talking about ALL Christians? Also, what is your source? 6. I'm not really understanding this question, either. What I'm "hearing" is: "Did the first century apostles have a guide that lead them into all truth and the ability to discern what was proper for doctrine or not?" I presume my answer has to be God. Re-word this, please. 7. Well, I have to say, yes. We as Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of God, the "handbook" to walking in the footsteps of Christ. Counteractions ----------------- 1. As a counteraction to your first question, I'd like to ask you; where in the Bible does it state that we SHOULD NOT use musical instruments in worship? 2. How are your last to questions relevant to your topic? 3. Why do you believe that musical instruments shouldn't be used in Christian worship? =====This concludes my debate=====