How far this modern organ fever will extend among our people, and whether it will on the whole work a RE- formation or DE- formation in their singing service, time will more fully develop. BEZA "If the apostle justly prohibits the use of unknown tongues in the church, much less would he have tolerated these artificial musical performances which are addressed to the ear alone, and seldom strike the understanding even of the performers themselves. The use of the instrumental, indeed, is much ancienter, but not in church service.
In the Western parts, the instrument, as not so much as known till the eighth century; for the first organ that was ever seen in France was one sent as a present to King Pepin by Constantinus Copronymus, the Greek emperor. But, now, it was only, used in princes courts, and not yet brought into churches; nor was it ever received into the Greek churches, there being no mention of an organ in all their liturgies ancient or modern. BURNEY "After the most diligent inquire concerning the time when instrumental music had admission into the ecclesiastical service, there is reason to conclude, that, before the reign of Constantine, ;is the converts to the Christian religion were subject to frequent persecution and disturbance in their devotion, the rise of instruments could hardly have been allowed: and by all that can be collected from the writings of the primitive Christians, they seem never to have been admitted.
CALVIN "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists therefore, have foolishly borrowed, this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostles is far more pleasing to him.
Paul allows us to bless God in the public assembly of the saints, only in a known tongue I Cor. CATHOLIC "Although Josephus tells of the wonderful effects produced in the Temple by the use of instruments, the first Christians were of too spiritual a fibre to substitute lifeless instruments for or to use them to accompany the human voice. Clement of Alexandria severely condemns the use of instruments even at Christian banquets.
Chrysostum sharply contrasts the customs of the Christians when they had full freedom with those of the Jews of the Old Testament. The organ, in its primitive and rude form, was the first, and for a long time the sole, instrument used to accompany the chant…. The church has never encouraged and at most only tolerated the use of instruments. She enjoins in the 'Caeremonials Episcoporum', - that permission for their use should first be obtained from the ordinary. She holds up as her ideal the unaccompanied chant, and polyphonic, a-capella style.
The Sistene Chapel has not even an organ. CATHOLIC "We need not shrink from admitting that candles, like incense and lustral water, were commonly employed in pagan worship and the rites paid to the dead.
But the Church, from a very early period, took them into her service, just as she adopted many other things indifferent in themselves, which seemed proper to enhance the splendor of religious ceremony.
We must not forget that most of these adjuncts to worship, like music, lights, perfumes, ablutions, floral decorations, canopies, fans, screens, bells, vestments, etc.
III, pg. In , a great organ was sent as a present to Pepin by the Byzantine Emperor, Constantine, and placed in the church St. Corneille as Compiegne.
CLARKE "But were it even evident, which it is not, either from this or any other place in the sacred writings, that instruments of music were prescribed by divine authority under the law, could this be adduced with any semblance of reason, that they ought to be used in Christian worship?
No; the whole spirit, soul, and genius of the Christian religion are against this; and those who know the Church of God best, and what constitutes its genuine spiritual state, know that these things have been introduced as a substitute for the life and power of religion; and that where they prevail most, there is least of the power of Christianity.
Away with such portentous baubles from the worship of that infinite Spirit who requires His followers to worship Him in spirit and truth, for to no such worship are these instruments friendly. II, pp. CLARKE "I am an old man, and I here declare that I never knew them to be productive of any good in the worship of God, and have reason to believe that they are productive of much evil. Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instrumental music in the house of God I abominate and abhor.
This is the abuse of music, and I here register my protest against all such corruption of the worship of the author of Christianity. The late and venerable and most eminent divine, the Rev. John Wesley, who was a lover of music, and an elegant poet, when asked his opinion of instruments of music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists, said in his terse and powerful manner, 'I have no objections to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.
Such musical accompaniments were gradually introduced; but they can hardly be assigned to a period earlier than the fifth and sixth centuries. Organs were unknown in church until the eighth or ninth centuries. Previous to this, they had their place in the theater, rather than in the church. CONYBEARE "Throughout the whole passage there is a contrast implied between the Heathen and the Christian practice… When you meet, let your enjoyment consist not in fullness of wine, but fullness of the spirit; let your songs be, not the drinking songs of heathen feasts, but psalms and hymns; and their accompaniment, not the music of the lyre, but the melody of the heart; while you sing them to the praise, not of Bacchus or Venus, but of the Lord Jesus Christ" Conybeare and Howson, Life and Times of the Apostle Paul, comment on Eph.
DICKINSON "In view of the controversies over the use of instrumental music in worship, which have been so violent in the British and American Protestant churches, it is an interesting question whether instruments were employed by the primitive Christians.
We know that instruments performed an important function in the Hebrew temple service and in the ceremonies of the Greeks.
At this point, however, a break was made with all previous practice, and although the lyre and flute were sometimes employed by the Greek converts, as a general rule the use of instruments in worship was condemned. Chrysostom, refer to them only to denounce them. Clement says, "Only one instrument do we use, viz. Our tongues are the strongs of the lyre, with a different tone, indeed, but with a more accordant piety. Ambrose expresses his scorn for those who would play the lyre and psaltery instead of singing hymns and psalms; and St.
Augustine adjures believers not to turn their hearts to theatrical instruments. The religious guides of the early Christian felt that there would be an incongruity, and even profanity, in the use of the sensuous nerve-exciting effects of instrumental sound in their mystical, spiritual worship.
Their high religious and moral enthusiasm needed no aid from external strings; the pure vocal utterance as the more proper expression of their faith. Instrumental music is also of very ancient date, its invention being ascribed to Tubal, the sixth descendant from Cain.
The instrumental music was not practiced by the primitive Christians, but was an aid to devotion of later times, is evident from church history.
Fessenden's Encyclopedia of Art and Music, p. FINNEY "The early Christians refused to have anything to do with the instrumental music which they might have inherited from the ancient world. The music was very simple in its character. There was some sort of alternate singing in the worship of Christians, as is described by Pliny.
The introduction of antiphonal singing at Antioch is ascribed by tradition to Ignatius The primitive church music was choral and congregational. FULLER "The history of the church during the first three centuries affords many instances of primitive Christians engaging in singing, but no mention, that I recollect is made of instruments. Musical instruments have existed since antiquity Genesis Following the song of Moses, timbrels were used for worship by Miriam and the women of the Exodus Exodus When the law of Moses was given on Mount Sinai, no musical instruments were prescribed for the worship.
There were two silver trumpets that were sounded like a bugle to call assemblies Numbers However musical instruments were not used to play music by which to praise God. Just before Moses died he wrote a song which Israel was to sing throughout their generations.
However in his instruction about this song, God gave no command to accompany the singing with musical instruments. The law given by Moses is utterly silent on the use of instrumental music in worship.
David was the second king of Israel. God had not wanted Israel to have any king but God. However God allowed earthly kings to reign 1Samuel Nine out of nine times when we find what the early Christians did as far as music was concerned, the Bible says they sang. Thus, we do have a Bible pattern for singing. Not only do we have the Bible record of how the early church worshipped God in song, but secular history gives us additional information.
Even men who were responsible for the establishment of modern denominations urged their followers to reject the use of mechanical instruments in service to God. John Calvin is invariably named with Martin Luther as the chief builders of Protestant Denominationalism.
What are the bounds regarding worship? The New Testament does not say much about music in the early church. The one time music is used Luke , is not even talking about worship, but about the party held for the returning prodigal. A few verses mention pipes and harps e. Singing, however, is mentioned seven times in that context Acts ; Romans ; 1 Corinthians ; Ephesians ; Colossians ; Hebrews ; James On the other hand, the New Testament is silent on playing songs for God. It is not commanded nor is there any example of the early church using it.
We pray that God will give all of us wisdom as we continue our spiritual journey toward eternity James —4.
I really enjoyed this article, it is very true and informative. I use to read all the house to house heart from the church I attended. Thank you for all you do for our Savior, sincerely, james. Am I misinterpret something? Kindly enlighten me. Thank you. The author says that churches of Christ do not sing a cappella because of certain factors but because of what the Bible says. Hi Wes, Thanks for your kind reply.
I have got your meaning and understood the passage now. It is a great article. If I may, I can explain. Meaning, I drink diet soda for a different reason. Sing a capella for the other reasons he lists afterwards. Brother is it written in the bible worshiping using musical instrument will rejected by our Lord Jesus Christ or our father in heaven?
These are all great questions. Technically, yes. They essentially believe I was raised in the C of C Mattew basically negates the 10 commandments. Realistically, if you do just those 2 things, you would still be following most of the original 10 commandments. The reason for this is, we are not held to the standards required by the Old Testament law. Those standards were unachievable perfection. They, as do most other religions that are Christian in nature, believe that the only reason Christ could be the one whose sacrifice would atone for all ours sins, is because he was the only one to ever be perfectly sinless or the only one to achieve the perfection taught belt the old law.
I answered your questions to the best of my knowledge. I hope that helps! Without the Old Testament revelation, no one could fully understand the New Testament. Since God is the author of both the old covenant and the new covenant, many concepts from the Old are repeated in the New — both teach about God. But, the old covenant was about being an Israelite. The new covenant is about being a Christian. In general, the actual 10 were mostly repeated under the new covenant — several were mentioned together in passages like Matthew and Rom Why the Sabbath is no longer applicable as presented in the 10 Commandments is worthy of a separate study.
Reason being is that in that heavenly place there is harps and different musical instruments thats played by the angels to worship God!! Infact in the old testament we discover in Psalms that the bible says to worship the Lord with musical instruments. They think CoC members are the only ones going to Heaven and everyone else is wrong. I really like this article and agree with it.
Hi Bryan, your question was my question one year ago. May be please allow me to share the point with you. For example, microphone is used to louder the voice of song leader so that everyone can hear and sing along. Eph Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord God commands us to sing from our heart and that is the best melody. Moses wrote in Deu Ye shall not add unto the word which i command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Therefore, our singing just a cappella as God commands us to do so. A song book, a microphone or a projector screen do not fundamentally change the worship, they aid the worship in helping to carry it out in an orderly fashion.
A musical instrument changes the worship by adding an element, that is, tones not produced by the human voice. The melody of a song is to emanate from the heart — a living instrument Eph. I know plenty of people that play their instruments from the heart! They are just as passionate and more so as the ones that sing. A song book, microphone or a projector screen do not change the worship, the worship is still exactly the same whether they are present or not.
Instruments of music do change the worship by adding something that previously was not there. The text is clear, the melody is to be made in the heart, not on an instrument. Sorry you have had bad experiences. As you know each congregation is self governing, and each congregation is going to have its own flaws and problems. If song books, and projector screens etc… are being misused, then maybe there is a heart problem that the elders or congregation need to deal with.
But the premise still stands that these aids do not of themselves change in any way the worship service. I do not feel there should be musical instruments any more then a big screen and computers. What happen to teaching the preacher to give a sermon without all the bells and whistles? Sing songs from your heart even if that means changing last minute and not from some play list. Allowing one instrument in worship but not another is showing the hypocrisy of the Church of Christ!
A bit late, but I just found this great article and its good discussions. If I can add a thought, there is a huge difference between requirement and preference. It never says we must use tonal, shaped note, four part harmony or chanting as long as it is words. It is culture and preference that determine these things, as does use of projected lyrics vs.
Printed ones. It is culture and preference that determine where and how Christians can come together for worship. The New Law never endorses additional musical instruments, even though they were called for in the Old Law and readily available during the Roman Empire.
Thus, we may use music and musical instruments in any capacity, except for weekly worship. I hope this helps the discussion. I prayerfully encourage all to read only the Bible and be guided only by what the Holy Bible indicates for our faith. From my study of the Bible in the New Testament, I do not see that it teaches you can use instruments anytime but when you come together to worship.
I used to have that early but from study I have personally tchanged that view. I do not find the word and worship in the New Testament ever referring to the gathering of Christians.
It is always used in the context of our life, that worship is our life. From my study I find that either the instrument has to be OK all the time or it has to be wrong all the time. Again, our life is a worship. We are constantly in the presence of God.
My own study of gods word says let me to believe that the Bible including the New Testament my own study of gods word has let me to believe that The Bible, and even under the new covenant, that there is nothing wrong with instruments. But it is my conviction either right all the time at the wrong time.
Especially when it i but it is my conviction either right all the time for the wrong time. Bible does say to make melody in your heart, but I can be done as wel bible does say to make melody in your heart, but I can be done while playing an instrument as well, again, just as David did. Again, this is just my personal conviction. I respect your understanding as well. And yet you ignore the very strict regulation of those instruments in Jewish worship.
You cannot seek authority for instruments in NT worship from the OT. Funny, you just used the old Testament to confirm your new testament position. Then why not use Psalm ? All of the psalms of David were made by help or accompaniment of a liar stringed instrument which he played. Today many groups use stringed instruments to do the same. With wonderful results.
Janice gave NT passage to show what Christians are to do. To pick on her use of OT scripture that demonstrates a Bible wide principle, then use that as permissive to introduce OT scripture on musical instruments to justify NT practice, is both pedantic and twisted.
Interesting viewpoint. Did they substitute the offering of money for the offering of animals? I am sorry you had a bad experience. All Churches of Christ are independent only local oversight.
If you do what the new testament says you will be okay. The name of the church means nothing. Also if you follow the teachings of Christ it would not be a denomination it would be his original Church. Only members are to lay by in store for the first day of the week. I appreciate your perspective on this issue, but I have two questions.
Do you believe God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow? If so, if musical instruments were pleasing to God as a form of worship in the Old Testament church why would they not still be so in the New Testament church?
But, 1 Samuel 15 teaches that God is pleased by obedience — not necessarily specific actions or efforts. Specifically see I Samuel Something that may have pleased God in another context, is only pleasing to God if offered in obedience.
But instruments were used in the New Testament as well. It seems very presumptuous rather than studious. Not to mention the numerous verses in Revelations to horns, harps, etc.
There is not an expressive, explicit verse prohibiting instruments, so why should we add to scripture what is not there? Also the word Psalm in the greek as in Ephesians literally means to play a piece of accompaniment such as voice with instrument. Just some thoughts. Revelation is highly symbolic, generally most passages in Revelation the have musical instruments in them are not literal. And none of them as far as I know are dealing with Christian worship on earth.
Yes, there are instruments in the New Testament, but they are not being used in Christian worship. That is literally to — pluck the strings of the heart. God has given a clear instruction on what He expects in worship. If we ask you where is the passage of scripture that gives you authority to use instruments in worship, you will never be able to provide one. To do anything other than what God wants is to show disobedience to His will. One must remember at all times, our worship toward God is not about what we want.
Jason, you say there is clear instruction to what God expects in worship. I completely disagree with that statement. There is no book of worship in the New testament. And, more importantly. In the NT, the term worship is always used as what we do in every aspect of our life.
In other words, Christian music we hear on the radio must also be considered evil. The reason for this is because the NT never says anything like, it is wrong to do this during this event, but not during this one.
He clearly is talking about 3 different genres of music. A Psalm was specifically a song played with music. The Bible in no way teaches any such concept. You will no where find any scripture that supports your concept of worship. The following scriptures are only a few of many that show worship is something that is done with intent. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Worship God. You have to remember that King David introduced instruments into the Jewish worship. Before King David, instruments were never used in the Jewish worship. Fleming, do you think that we need to be offering sacrifices as they did in the old testament also? As someone commented earlier, the Old Testament is something for us to read and learn from but not to use as our guide.
Could it be that the whole discussion on instrumental or non-instrumental music is an irrelevent issue. Either way, we are saved only by the grace of God, not any form of music. Many people sing songs of praise to God out of habit not with their heart…. Not really. It is a matter of preference. No sin listed as to using instruments. Skip you may or may not be correct. I started in a C of C and my preference is A Cappela. It sounds and feels to me so much more than singing. Bass drums, electric guitars, organs, pianos, etc all drown out the voices, the harmony, the love.
I have nothing against instruments. My opinion. You can agree or not. Thank you for writing that. That through Christ and by Christ we are saved and will live with Him in eternity. However we can cause henderances. Yes we read in decency and in order, but we cannot stop there. If we look into the scriptures without an argumentative agenda to see what God expects: it is loving him and loving one another and spreading the good news so that all people can be saved; it is spending time in fellowship, helping each brother and sister in the faith and being a good example to others; it is acknowledging our sins and short comings and when convicted to ask for forgivness-forgiveness from God and from people; it is holding each other accountable, in love, as we remind them and we also remember, Jesus will be the Judge as we are not capable of making the ultimate judgement call…no matter how well we think we know His word.
The way one congragation worships compared to another and compared to the scriptures is not what God said will cause a soul to be lost. Do we remember what Jesus said to the disciples when they returned from their assignment.
They said to Jesus that they saw others working the same work but these people were not present with Jesus. Jesus told the 12 not to worry about them.
Why are we worrying over things that are drawing people closure to God, but are different than we feel is right. Let God deal with them through their reading of the Bible and their hearts and let God be the Judge as he is intended to be.
Let us work on unity and strive to saving souls and teaching souls. But teachings souls through love and hope and the Bible and stop causing brothers and sisters in the faith to feel ashamed. Besides, are those that fuss and fight over small matters not concerned that their souls will be in jeopardy of judgment of a millstone being placed around their necks because of the unnecessary divisions caused.
Yes this is a small matter because salvation will not be lost on playing a musical instrument, nor will there be salvation to those that do not play one or more. We all who are believers are working to, praying for and have faith in reachng perfection, but true perfection will only be fulfilled when we meet our Lord.
I am impressed and inspired by reading the article you wrote on the use of musical instruments in our worship. God bless you for writing such a beautiful article. I have enjoyed reading your writing. God bless you. Behailu Abebe Endeshaw Evangelist Ethiopian. But dear sister, the oracles of God, mentioned by Peter here, were the Scriptures, the existing old testament.
So then, psalm was part of the oracles of God! I agree except that the Bible says that Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. He fulfilled the old law and then established the new law, His law.
Great article! Because, like myself, I disagree with the argument. You assume that what is said is absolutely correct. Let me ask you this. Do you do to the doctor when you are sick? According the this argument, the silence of scripture, you are in violation of the New Testament if you go to the doctor. Because, after Jesus died we have only two references of what to do if you are sick.
One, Paul told Timothy to take some wine for his stomach. And two, James said if you are sick to call the elders to pray over the sick. The only command is to call the elders to pray. Therefore going to the doctor is adding to gods word and in violation of this idea of the silence of the scriptures.
We are told what to do if we are sick, and there is no mention of going to the doctors. Interesting view point to state that the Church of Christ follows the New Testament however, I have never heard anyone speak in tongues in a Church of Christ? Clearly in the Book of Acts, we see where Peter stood up and preached the Gospel Good News and were saved accepted Christ and what appeared to be Tongues of Fire fell upon them.
The tongues they spoke on the day of Pentecost, were so all the people from the other countries could understand in their own Language. It would be like me speaking in German or Russian or Mexican. All the people heard in their own language! Some Churches of Christ disagree with this article and use instruments when they worship.
Do they get kicked out of the Church of Christ? There are Churches of Christ, and then there are Churches of Christ. If taken in that aspect, then churches should not have electrical lighting, PA systems, recording media or projrection media as they were not available either.
There would be no use of publoc broadcasting of services. Some would argue those are ok, but you cannot pick and choose which parts or pieces you want to justify use of particular itsm or not using another. Great Article???? The early Christians were even command to sing Psalms… you know.. Why would God have us sing about doing something we were forbidden to practice?
Ephesians says nothing about playing, so why would one of the folks that want music use it? Same thing in Colossians ? A psalm was specifically a hindrance of music accompanied by an instrument. A psalm was specifically a hindrance of music accompanied by an instrument! This is a topic that I have spent much time studying. When I first joined the Church of Christ, I was under the impression that instruments were used all the way throughout Old Testament worship until Jesus came along and then — out of nowhere — they stopped using them.
If this were the case, then one would logically assume that the change in Covenants led to a change in the mode of worship. However, my initial impression had been false. I had not done enough research on Old Testament worship. It turns out that New Testament worship was modelled after the synagogue worship that developed during the Babylonian exile and carried forward into the first century.
Unlike Temple worship, the purpose of synagogue worship was primarily to learn scripture; music was secondary. In fact, for some period of time, it appears that music was not allowed to be sung due to the mourning that was taking place after exile.
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