The simple answer for “Why do churches of Christ not use musical instruments in worship?” is that the Bible instructs churches to sing as a congregation to praise God and edify one another (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). When a congregation sings together, musical instruments become irrelevant as the New Testament makes no mention of Christians worshiping with musical instruments in assembly. The instrument cannot speak, teach, or thank God and so cannot praise God with meaningful words.
The churches in the New Testament never used musical instruments when they worshiped in song for good reason. Christ, His apostles, and His prophets only commanded singing for worship in the New Testament.[1] As New Testament Christians, the churches of Christ see the blessings of praising God by their lips, and they plead with all who rely on Christ’s words to consider congregational singing as essential to true worship by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
Here are 4 reasons why churches do not use musical instruments:
1. The NT (New Testament) commands congregation singing and does not mention the playing of instruments for spiritual teaching, praise, and thanksgiving (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16).
2. The Bible forbids anyone adding or annulling God’s commands (1 Cor 11:2; Gal 3:15; Rev 22:18–19). Furthermore, Jesus is sinless and His words are without error, so no one should change His words (John 6:63; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22).
3. The NT teaches that words are essential to worshiping in song and that unknown languages and nonverbal sounds are excluded (1 Cor 14:9–19).
4. Jesus established worship in spirit and truth changing the OT physical worship including musical instruments to NT spiritual worship with singing meaningful words for teaching, praise, and thanksgiving (John 4:21–24; Heb 13:15–16; 1 Pet 2:9).
Worship with Words
The Bible contains commands from God for the order of the assembly in 1 Corinthians 14 (cf. 11:17–34). In the Bible, words are essential to making melody to worship God. In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul emphasized understandable words as he explained that words build up worshipers gathered in the assembly. Because words are essential to edification and the assembly of Christians, the New Testament Scriptures describe musical instruments as “lifeless” meaning “without soul” (1 Cor 14:7). Paul noted this description of lifeless instruments as greater than speaking in unknown languages in assembly.
In 1 Corinthians 14:15, the apostle Paul used the Greek word psallo meaning “to make melody” to describe how words are essential to singing and praying to God with the spirit and mind. These scriptures explain that meaningful music in worship consists of understandable words (1 Cor 14:7–19). Furthermore, Paul also instructed Christians to complete the act of psallo by making melody in the heart (Eph 5:18–19). Musical instruments are an irrelevant addition to the purpose and heart of singing praises to God. Lifeless instruments cannot produce words for meaningful worship and making melody in the heart.
No Changing Jesus’s Words
Believers find that Christ is perfect and complete, and so are His words (John 6:63; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22). The Bible reveals that adding to the words of Christ and His Spirit is wrong (1 Cor 4:6; Gal 1:6–9; 3:15; 2 John 9; Rev 22:18–19). Do Christians have liberty to express worship in any way other than true worship in the New Testament? Christians can neither change Christ nor alter the gospel. Christ is infallible and so are His words (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:14–15; 1 John 3:5; 1 Pet 2:22). Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). Therefore, Jesus’s words are constant and unchanging and that is true for His teaching about true worship.
When believers consider the complete perfection of Christ’s words, then Christ’s institutions of the Lord’s Supper, baptism, prayer, music, and the like are complete in presenting His ideal conduct for the Christian faith. Few people would consider adding lamb’s meat to the Lord’s Supper even for the purpose of presenting Jesus as the Passover Lamb. Some may consider adding incense to prayers and ashes to the waters of baptism because of passages in the Old Testament. However, such additions are contrary to Jesus’s infallibility. A true worshiper must not add to true worship.
Churches can no more change the fruit of the vine in the Lord’s Supper than change the fruit of the lips in praise to God (Heb 13:15; cf. Matt 26:29; Mark 14:25). The Letter to the Hebrews declares, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Heb 13:15). God specified the true worship that is best for believers. Christians can no more change the music that Christ commanded than change the elements of the Lord’s Supper (Matt 26:26–29; 1 Cor 11:17–34). God created humanity with the ability to use their voices to sing praises to Him. Singing in worship is the most beautiful, pure, and sublime form of music.
Jesus Established True Worship
As most Christians realize, worship has changed from physical to spiritual. Jesus revealed that worship is now in spirit and truth, and no longer “in Jerusalem will you worship the Father” (John 4:21–24). David brought the temple worship to Jerusalem and enhanced this worship with musical instruments. Jesus professed, “believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. […] But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:21–24). The churches of Christ see that Jesus set true worship apart from the worship that David established in Jerusalem.[2] True worship is with the right spirit and by the truth of God’s Word (cf. John 1:17; 17:17).
Jesus taught that God seeks true worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23–24). For that reason, Jesus distinguished true worship apart from temple worship in Jerusalem (John 4:21–24). The temple of God changed from that physical building to the spiritual church (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:21), and worship also changed from the physical symbolism of the Old Testament to the spiritual reality of the New Testament (1 Pet 2:5). According to Scripture, Christ became the atoning sacrifice for sin (Heb 9:22–26). All Christians are now the priests of God’s spiritual temple, the church. Christians are the ones for whom God blessed to make melody in the heart and upon the lips. Thereby, true worshipers offer spiritual offerings of praise unto God (Heb 13:15; 1 Pet 2:5). The Scriptures reveal that the priesthood of the Levites and their physical worship with David’s instruments have ceased (Heb 7:12).
No More Shadows of Worship
Old Testament worship foreshadowed and symbolized true worship, but the substance has always been Christ (Col 2:16–17; Heb 8:5; 10:1). Christ fulfilled the Law, so that Christ has led believers to true worship (Heb 9:9–10; 1 Pet 2:5). Revelation’s symbolic references to worship on an altar with sacrifices, use of incense, and the holding of harps are all Old Testament symbols. These physical symbols foreshadowed true worship in the New Testament. Scripture says that incense symbolizes prayers and the harps symbolize praise (Rev 5:8–14). John described the praises of the faithful sounding like thunders, many waters, and harps (Rev 14:1–3; 15:1–3). While holding harps, no one played these harps in Revelation, but they did praise God with singing.
The New Testament describes the ordinances of Old Testament worship as obsolete, carnal, and fleshly (Rom 7:1–7; Gal 3–5; 2 Cor 3:7–18; Eph 2:14–22; Heb 8:13). This is why the churches of Christ believe in observing all of Christ’s commands — unaltered, because Christ’s words are perfect and greater than the Law of Moses. The churches of Christ refrain from musical instruments in worship because these are contrary to the Spirit of the New Covenant (cf. 2 Cor 3:1–6). If God wanted Christians to worship with instruments as the music of the church, God would have commanded instruments for Christians to worship God. However, the New Testament specifies that Christians praise God in song with their hearts and lips (Eph 5:19; Heb 13:15).
Worship throughout History
The word acapella refers to non-instrumental singing and means “of the chapel” in Latin. The word comes from the ancient form of Christian praise when early churches worshiped by singing without instrumental music. For fourteen centuries following Christ, most churches sang and opposed the use of musical instruments in worship and assembly. During the Reformation, the reformers led believers in France and England to remove the additions of musical instruments that the Roman church added in the fourteenth century.[3] This effort to reform Christian worship according to “the regulative principle” continued among many churches through the nineteenth century. Through the Reformation until today, “nonconformist” churches find that true worship is free of innovations and amusements. In the Restoration Movement, the restorers made the same stand for true worship and still do among churches of Christ.
God Judges Hearts
True worshipers will not add or annul from true worship. As far as true worship being a matter of salvation, God judges the hearts of those who worship for whether they love God and keep His commands (John 14:21–24). Some Christians in ancient Corinth received condemnation for not discerning the Lord’s Supper. Some also misused the gifts of languages in the assembly while corrected they were not overtly condemned (1 Cor 11:17–34; 14). Christians must defer to God who judges on these matters, so the faithful urge that all follow Christ to worship as God has revealed in the Scriptures.
Conclusion
The churches of Christ do not use musical instruments to worship God, because Christ commanded congregations to sing in the New Testament. Churches in the New Testament sang together with one voice and never used instruments. The New Testament writers affirm that singing is the most edifying, meaningful, and spiritual form of music. Because the New Testament Scriptures command music consisting of words for praise and spiritual teaching, the church of Christ will not add musical instruments to the singing of a congregation in worship to God (1 Cor 14:9–19).
The words of Jesus compel churches of Christ to maintain the purity of true worship. Neither Christ, his apostles, nor his prophets used or commanded musical instruments for worshiping God. Therefore, many Christians conclude that no one should add to Christ’s perfect words or change true worship as Jesus established. Because God specified singing in the New Testament Scriptures, alterations are contrary to the heart of meaningful worship. By the Holy Spirit, the apostle taught that every Scripture is God’s breath to make the person of God complete and fully equipped unto every good work (2 Tim 3:16–17). Christians are not lacking any teaching or any good work in the Scriptures. The faithful listen to Christ’s Spirit and His words in the Scriptures, and by loving Christ, they see the holiness of singing meaningful words over all other musical forms. This is why the churches of Christ do not use musical instruments.
Encouragement
May God bless all to consider sincerely the music that God desires for believers to worship in spirit and truth. To understand true worship, a believer must think spiritually (1 Cor 2:14). A person must also have an honest and good heart who does not dismiss Christ’s teachings (Luke 8:15). Furthermore, churches of Christ urge repentant believers to receive salvation by the gospel — the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15:1–5). Jesus rose bodily from the dead so that His followers will rise bodily from the dead on the last day (Rom 6:5; 8:11; 1 Cor 6:14). God saves believers by raising them from burial with Christ in baptism (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12–13). The believer must die with Christ to one’s sins to rise with Christ from baptism (Rom 6:1–7; Col 2:12–13). In this way, the Scriptures teach that God saves believers by grace raising them to new life in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:4–7).
- Matt 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 4:24; 16:25; Rom 15:6; 1 Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Heb 2:12, 13:15; Jas 5:13; Rev 15:3–4.
- Scott J. Shifferd, “Do David’s Instruments Have a Place in True Worship?,” <https://Godsbreath.net/2014/03/04/davids-instruments-for-worship/> (2014).
- John Price, Old Light on New Worship: Musical Instruments and the Worship of God, a Theological, Historical, and Psychological Study, (Avinger, TX: Simpson Publishing, 2005).
The Breath of God 
The New Testament church is being attacked by satan , and those of us who still believe that scripture is the true word of God must hold to that and stand our ground against the firey darts that satan is throwing at the church in the 21st century. Satan and his many soilders are trying to put doubt in the hearts of his church , but Christ himself said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!!! We as the body of Christ need to expose error and hold up TRUTH!!!!!God our holy Father has not given us the spirit of FEAR!!!
If I may comment, and I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds, if it was decided that instrumental music was allowed, where would you start & end? Organ, piano, drums, trumpet, banjo, violin, cymbols, flute, bongo drums…it soon becomes a loud noise that drowns the human voice that is the sweet music to the Lord. It is no longer worship but revelry. Visions of the golden calf come to mind. Worship to the Lord according to the scriptures is not difficult and demanding in the NT as it was in the OT. Why do we complicate it?
Amen.
A number of months ago you said I presented some valid points on 1 Cor 11 and that you would rethink it. I was honestly disappointed with what I read then – but maybe that’s all you can see so far … I think we won’t come to agreement on this here. For me this is just an example of how we deal with Scripture.
No, you did not say “silence”, but you you said: “Because God specified only singing in the New Testament scriptures.” Which is basically the same. He did not mention musical instruments, thus we are to sing a-capella.
But it is a weak position if that’s all you have to say on this.
a) Some might point to “Make music in/with your heart” and might debate you on this.
b) Some might point to Revelation and say: See there they sing to the harp, and they’ll debate you on that.
In both instances they would say: No you are wrong, God did mention singing to instruments in the NT.
I still say, our position is on solid ground, but you need to go deeper than that. And If we just such “easy-to-remember”-statements, then I am convinced, thinking people would find a number of passages, where we don’t dio whjat is written and commanded in even more express terms. OK, let’s put the headcovering aside and speak about footwashing. Or about anointing the sick ones with oil.
There are a number of commands and approved precedents we simply ignore, while we make a-capella worship almost a salvation issue. That’s why I reacted so strongly to your post. It’s not because I disagree on the subject, but because if we take this approach as our “exegetical method”, then we must confess that we don’t apply this method to the whole NT but that we pick and choose.
That’s neither convincing nor wise. If we provoke others to such statements: “Then you make God a liar” or “Ridiculous” – and not one who says: “Thank you, now I understand it!” then obviously our case was not very well communicated.
Maybe – honestly – you could put together an essay that goes into more detail; gives reasons, explains the passeges in detail, explains the differences between the covenants; confirms the whole matter with the abundant evidence from church history. Then, I believe, an open-hearted reader will be won … and those who scorn will think twice before they make a scornful comment when they see at least logic, consistency and the love for truth.
Alexander
Baxell Barrett Baxter said that silence forbids when there is a positive statement, but this can simply be put “do not go beyond what is written” or specifics exclude. If silence alone excluded, then driving cars, writing blogs, and studying eBibles would be excluded. Such is a strawman for the anti-Christs.
I’m not trying to convert antagonists who have commented here. I can only hope to cut them to their heart as Christ has spoken (Matt 23). Yet, our Savior with the best of words could not persuade the most religious actors.
There is one single exegetical method. With a rational and literate mind, we must observe all Christ’s commands, understand their definition by examples (patterns), base them in the inferred principles and spirit of the instructions, and don’t alter the specifics of these instructions which are perfect and complete. This is just as any fair person would follow any written instructions.
Let’s talk about these commands that are not observed. You assert them and nothing more. You can address them under the head-coverings article where I’ll comment further on your assertions.
So we insist on instrumental music because of “silence” and we dismiss the headcovering although it is commanded based on assumptions. Sorry, this IS a double-standard!
If we are to follow EACH NT command and approved precedent I can agree on a-cappella worship. But it is mainly also confirmed by church history up to the middle-ages; so taken into account every evidenca available, this stands on solid ground. But if you/we only point to the silence in scripture we make an inference that we maybe see as necessary, but others won’t be able to follow our conclusions, because silence is in fact a very weak position. This would actually be divisive.
As for the headcovering, we do have a CLEAR COMMAND, which has been obeyed for more than 1900 years! (!!!) It has been done away based on speculations and the methodology of modern theology.
So where the scriptures are silent, we become bold, and where they speak we prove to be unfaithful. I tell you, every one with an open mind will call that inconsistency.
But I don’t want to discuss the headcovering here (I’ve done that before on your Blog, and I think everything has been said there). I am urging you to present sound doctrine in a way that is acceptable to people who are objecting to it. I have read a number of discussions on progressive Blogs on this issue, and I know how they would tear you apart, and thus tear something apart I would call true and historic worship according to the NT. This would be a shame, wouldn’t it?
Your brother
Alexander
Alexander,
Did you read the article above? Why are you talking about silence? Silence doesn’t forbid in itself. I never said that and never will. I did comment before writing that, “I didn’t say that something is prohibited by silence, and yet on the contrary with silence is liberty and union.”
Your making a custom of honor (the length of hair) into a command of God. That’s false teaching. You have presented no premises for your belief and it void of Scripture.
Actually, Scott, I think you could have presented our case a little more convincing and inviting to those sceptical of our position.
But, maybe, your goal was only to stir up heated reactions, then – I’d say – that’s the way! But it won’t produce one single “conversion”.
To be sure: I am convinced, that a-cappella worship is the original fiorm of Christian worship, and one part of restoring the New Testament church is restoring the kind of worship practiced in the NT churches.
But, since you are so exact about this, which can be based on silence (but a very loud silence), why don’t you vote for the restoration of the headcovering for women? I can’t hepl but call this inconsistent, brother. Think about it!
In Christ
Alexander
Hey Alex,
I could certainly always do a better job of presenting the Truth. God is witness that I do not seek to “stir up heated reactions.” My friend, this has produced many to agree on pure Christian music. All the contentions here arise from the desire to add to God’s Word. This article is simply to show the simple conviction of the churches of Christ for Christian music in worship.
As for head-coverings, I see no inconsistency. That was a custom that should be laid aside for contentions, and the principle is to observe customs of honor and respect and to keep from appearances of evil. We can discuss this subject more under the edited head-coverings article or somewhere else unless there is a link in principle here.
https://godsbreath.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/the_head-coverings/
God bless.
Then you my friend are calling God a liar…….
All these comments from those choosing another form of worship are simply saying is that “We don’t believe that the Scriptures can complete and equip to every good work.”
Scott,
Convictions are right or wrong. It is not wrong to sing acapella or with instruments. Failing to condemn something does not mean it is wrong automatically. You can’t prove a negative prohibition by saying the NT is silent on that topic. That leads to a lot of picking and choosing: head coverings, foot washings, the love feast have a lot of positive NT teaching, but the COC does not practice those. It is just the old saying similar to the Catholics: “We are the true Church and we will tell you what the Bible says and means.” The traditional COC uses crappy exegesis, laced with a little Greek to prove why they do not practice things the Bible does not speak about at all.
You are absolutely right about convictions being right and wrong, and you are right to be so bold to address them though we could all season more with salt.
I didn’t say that silence prohibits, and yet on the contrary, silence gives liberty and unity in personal choice. There’s no picking and choosing over your list. The churches of Christ unlike your COC do obey the principle of feet washing in serving and head-coverings to avoid contentions. We don’t except the “love feast” since it does not exist in any NT Greek.
“Crappy”? Again, you judge these people in the COC. All the denominations think that they are doing things a better or more right way either hence denominations are named religious parties by definition.
I do not believe that because something was not specified that we could draw a conclusion that it was not pleasing to God. Clapping hands or humming was not recorded so are we to assume they were not present. I do have a few questions to make my point more clearly. Are we to stand or sit when we sing? Are we to sing loud or quiet? Are we to not have church on Wednesday or just have it on the first day of the week? Are we to not have church buildings or should we all be in a house church? These things should not be our focus points. There are, I do believe, extremes on any side that could be so much like the world that it could seem to drown out the simplicity of worship.
I can see where you are going, but please consider this response.
Are we to stand or sit when we sing? There are no specifics unlike water for baptism, bread and fruit of the vine for the Supper, or a man and a woman for marriage.
Are we to sing loud or quiet? Again, no specifics.
Are we to not have church on Wednesday or just have it on the first day of the week? Again specifics are waiting for 1st day of the week and daily meeting.
Are we to not have church buildings or should we all be in a house church? James 2:2 says building of gathering, Acts 5:42 in houses, and other places.
No specifics in these areas especially like 1 Cor 14:15 which its very point is that psallo music must be intelligible just as with teaching and praying.
The simplicity of worship is singing only until it is complicated with men’s inventions.
Ridiculous,
God wants us to sing praise to Him, regardless of instrument or not. The Bible of the ear;y church was the OT until the New Testament was written. The NT was written over a period from about 49 AD to 70 AD. The Gospel of John may have been later. When a NT book quoted the Bible, it was generally from the Septuagint OT and those Psalms said to praise the Lord with or without musical instruments. It is the heart that matters.
Are you saying that the convictions of these Christians are ridiculous? That’s not a good way to get someone to reconsider.
Yes, “until the New Testament” was written is true. Until then, they still had the New Testament via prophecy from the Spirit. Second Timothy 3:16–17 includes both testaments as seen by Paul quoting from Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7 as “Scripture” in 1 Timothy 5:18.
Yes, the Psalms included musical instruments and cultic offerings under a Law where a Psalmist like David also practiced polygamy. Should we conclude that the early church were sacrificing in the Temple and practicing polygamy too?