
To many people, even today, that seems a petty offense for which to put two priests to death. But theirs was the sin of presumption: they presumed to offer what they wanted instead of what God required. And they died for it.
Jesus has been given "all authority, in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Now, since He has all authority, the question is not, "Did He say "not to use instruments" in our worship, but, "where did He authorize their use"?
A simple test for any activity: if God authorizes it in His word, you can do it in faith. If He did not authorize it, then it cannot be done in faith. "And whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).
No one can claim that he uses an instrument in worship by the authority of Christ. God has, "given to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). But God gave us no authorization for instrumental music in the worship of the church. Therefore, the practice does not pertain to life and godliness.
The scripture we do have pertaining to singing in the worship of the church can be found in Ephesians 5:19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." Also, in 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 to God in your heart."
Lastly, in Hebrews 13:15, "Through Him then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips that give thanks to His name."
These are the scriptural authorities that we have pertaining to music in the New Testament worship.