Churches of Christ That Use Instrumental Music

This blog discusses the churches of Christ that use instrumental music in their services.

Churches of Christ That Use Instrumental Music

Christians have argued over the use of instrumental music in churches for centuries. The Bible does not give a clear answer on whether or not Christians should use instruments in church. However, there are pros and cons to using instruments in church. Let’s take a look at both sides.

The Bible and Instrumental Music

Churches of Christ that use instrumental music do so based on their interpretation of the Bible. While there is no explicit command in the Bible to use or not use instruments in worship, there are a few passages that mention musical instruments being used in worship. In addition, some Christians believe that using instruments in worship is a matter of personal preference and not essential to worship.

Those who support the use of instrumental music in churches of Christ cite passages such as Psalm 150, which mentions praise being offered to God with trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments. They also point to 1 Chronicles 16:42, which says that when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple, “All the Israelites shouted with joy and blew trumpets.” And in Revelation 5:8-9, John sees the four living creatures and 24 elders praising God with a variety of musical instruments.

Those who oppose the use of instrumental music in churches of Christ argue that since there is no explicit commandment in the Bible to use instruments in worship, we should not assume that it is acceptable. They cite passages such as Ephesians 5:19-20, which says that we are to sing praises to God with our hearts, and Colossians 3:16, which says that we are to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” to God.

The Early Church and Instrumental Music

While the use of instruments in church worship is a matter of hot debate in some quarters, it is worth noting that the early church did make use of instrumental music. Writing in the second century, Justin Martyr noted that the Christians in his day sang hymns to Christ as God while accompanying their singing with stringed instruments:

“On the day which is called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the overseer verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. . . . We all rise together and pray . . . and when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the bishop offers prayers and thanksgivings . . . [and] when he has given thanks according to his ability, all who are present give utterance to an amen” (First Apology 67).

The Restoration Movement and Instrumental Music

The Restoration Movement was a religious and social movement that began in the early 19th century. The movement sought to unify all Christians under the banner of Christianity, and it rejected any form of division within the church. One of the most controversial aspects of the Restoration Movement was its stance on instrumental music.

The use of instrumental music in worship was a dividing line between the various churches of Christ that emerged from the Restoration Movement. Some churches believed that instrumental music was an essential part of worship, while others believed that it was not necessary and even counterproductive. The debate over instrumental music continues to this day, with both sides arguing passionately for their position.

The Use of Instrumental Music in Churches of Christ

Instrumental music is a controversial topic in the Churches of Christ. Some believe that it is acceptable to use musical instruments in worship, while others believe that it is a violation of the New Testament scriptures. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using instrumental music in churches of Christ.

Reasons for Using Instrumental Music

There are a number of reasons why churches of Christ use instrumental music in their worship services. One reason is that it helps to create a more traditional and solemn atmosphere in the church. Instrumental music has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries, and many church members feel that it adds a level of reverence to the service.

Another reason why churches of Christ use instrumental music is that it provides a way for everyone in the congregation to participate in the worship service. Not everyone is comfortable singing in front of others, but most people can appreciate listening to beautiful music. This can be especially helpful for visitors who are not familiar with the songs that are typically sung in churches of Christ.

Instrumental music can also be used to add variety to the worship service. If the same songs are sung every week, they can become quite monotonous. Adding instrumental numbers gives the congregation a chance to hear different types of music and keeps them engaged in the service.

There are a few churches of Christ that do not use any type of musical instrument in their worship services, but the majority of churches have at least some form of instrumental accompaniment. The reasons for this vary from church to church, but most believe that it makes the worship service more enjoyable and meaningful.

Reasons Against Using Instrumental Music

There are a number of reasons why some members of the Churches of Christ do not use instrumental music in worship. The following are some of the more common reasons given:

-The use of instruments in worship is a departure from the New Testament pattern. The only musical instruments mentioned in connection with early Christian worship are the human voice (singing) and the cymbals (1 Corinthians 14:15).

-Instrumental music is a distraction from the true purpose of worship, which is to focus on God.

-Instrumental music is unnecessary. The voice is the best instrument for worship, as it is the instrument that God gave us.

-Instrumental music can be used for evil purposes, such as to stir up hatred and violence.

-Instrumental music is often associated with worldly or sinful activities, such as dancing, drinking, and gambling.

-Instrumental music can be distracting and disruptive to the peace and unity of the church.

Churches of Christ That Use Instrumental Music

Instrumental music has been a controversial issue in the Churches of Christ for many years. Some churches believe that the use of instruments in worship is a violation of biblical teaching, while others believe that it is a matter of personal preference.

There are a number of churches of Christ that do use instrumental music in their worship services. These churches typically believe that the use of instruments is not a violation of biblical teaching, and that it is a matter of personal preference.

There are also a number of churches of Christ that do not use instrumental music in their worship services. These churches typically believe that the use of instruments in worship is a violation of biblical teaching, and that it is not a matter of personal preference.

Conclusion

There are a variety of opinions within the Churches of Christ regarding the use of instrumental music during worship services. While some churches believe that the use of instruments is a matter of personal preference, other churches believe that it is an essential part of worship. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use instruments during worship services is up to each individual church.