Why The Church of Christ doesn't use Musical Instruments in Worship.

 

      Some think it strange that in the churches of Christ we sing without instrumental music accompaniment.  There are two kinds of music in the world, vocal and instrumental.  Christians are commanded to sing.  God has asked for vocal music only. This request has removed the possibility of using instrumental music in worship to God, which would be a different kind of music.  Throughout the Bible God asks various people to work with Him, take Noah for example he was asked to make an Ark (Gen. 6:14). The Ark was to be made from gopher wood.  If God just asked Noah "to make an Ark of wood", Noah could have used any old wood laying around, as a matter of fact he could have used lots of different kinds of wood, it could have made the Ark look really good! But God specified 'gopher wood' and Noah demonstrated his faith in God by doing just  what God asked for. In the same way, if God has asked us to "make music" we could have used all the musical instruments laying around. However, God did not do that, He specified "sing".  Therefore in the churches of Christ today we demonstrate our faith by worshipping God in the way He has asked, vocal music only.  If your not sure about this line of reasoning, then read, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 13:15 and James 5:13  The New International Religious Encyclopedia notes, "The organ is said to have been first introduced into the church during the time of Pope Vitalian (666 A.D.) which means it was over 600 years too late for mechanical music to have the agreement of God.  In the beginning of the church there was no instrumental music used in worship, this is why the Greek Orthodox Church never uses instruments in their worship to this day in the 21st century. The New Testament was written in their language (Greek) and they know that the Greek word "psallo" (sing) always means to sing only without instrumental accompaniment.  In fact, it's known as "a capella music" which means "after the church style".  Other religious leaders agree that this is what the Scriptures teach. Here are a few examples. John Wesley the founder of Methodism said "I have no objection to instruments in music in our chapels provided they are neither seen or heard".  Charles Spurgeon the famous Baptist preacher said, "I would as soon pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery".  John Calvin the Presbyterian theologian said, "Musical instruments in celebrating the praise of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense or other shadows of the Law of Moses".  Adam Clarke the Methodist commentator said, "Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor".  At the end of the day on the subject, we in the churches of Christ know that Christians should submit their worship to God in a spirit of humility and holiness.  Since we have no New Testament authority for the usage of instrumental music, it would be nothing short of presumptuous to introduce to God what He has not asked for. It would be like telling God that we think He doesn't know what is good enough for Him. Well, if "a capella' is good enough for God in the New Testament, it's good enough for us! Someone might think that we are being old fashioned and refuse to allow an example of Jesus be seen in a modern context.  You might think if Jesus were here today, and the culture around him used instruments, then He would have no problem offering instrumental praise from his heart.  But think again.  Jesus was holy and right, if there was anyone who had the right to worship God His Father the way He wanted it was Him!  But that is exactly what Jesus did not do.  He approached the Temple in Jerusalem and refused to act like a priest offering worship, because He was of the tribe of Judah.  His Jewish Culture and Law said nothing about anyone in the Tribe of Judah acting like a priest, so Jesus refrained.  This is the same spirit of humility and holiness that we practice today in Christian worship.  If Jesus refrained in His time, then so do we. Please read Hebrews 7:14, and follow Jesus with us today. Sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord and offer to Him the sacrifice of the fruit of your lips. God will be blessed in a way that only He wants to be blessed and your heart should know it.