No Strings Attached: Why Don't Churches of Christ Use Mechanical Instruments in Worship?

Imagine stepping into a first-century Christian gathering. You’d likely find a humble space, perhaps a large upper room in a private home. You’d hear voices raised in prayer, scripture being read aloud, a preacher sharing a teaching about Jesus, the passing of a collection basket for the needy saints, the singing of spiritual songs, and hearts united in the communal breaking of bread. But one thing you wouldn't hear is the sound of musical instruments accompanying their worship. It's an undeniable fact.

For many modern Christians, the idea of worship without instrumental music might seem foreign. In fact, a cappella music has been called outdated, old-fashioned, and archaic. Every Sunday, you’ll find churches filled with the sounds of pianos, organs, guitars, drums, harmonicas, tambourines, and more. Many of those instruments clearly drown out the voices of the saints. Yet, a departure from the use of those man-made and mechanical devices is as rare as a spoon-billed sandpiper. Ever heard of that bird species? Doubtful, unless you are actively searching for one to cross off your “Life List” or completing a “Big Year.” It's an endangered species. I'll circle back to them shortly.

Maybe you’re wondering why the earliest followers of Jesus chose a simple form of worship. The reasons are multifaceted, rooted in their historical context, theological understanding, and the very nature of their early gatherings. If you’re interested in a journey towards the truth, like me, let’s focus on what we know from history. Then we’ll circle back to what it means to modern Christian churches.

Reflecting on Synagogue & Temple Worship

Worship in the Temple was elaborate, with choirs, ensembles, ornate instruments, and elements intended to shock and awe adherents. While music held a significant place in Jewish tradition, the early Christian gatherings were distinct. They often met in private homes. Their worship was simpler, more intimate, and focused on the core elements of prayer, teaching, sharing, communion, and singing (Acts 2:40-47, 20:7).

The destruction of the Temple in 70 AD had a profound impact on Jews and Christians. The elaborate musical traditions of Judaism associated with it largely ceased. Early Christians, many of whom were Jewish converts, would have been familiar with this shift towards a more scripture-centered, less ritualistic form of worship in the synagogues. It was personal, practical, and from the heart.

Focus On Spirit & Truth, Not Ritual

The early Christians placed a strong emphasis on the inner transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit and the power of the spoken Word. Their worship was deeply communal, centered on understanding and living out the teachings of Jesus. They believed that true worship came from the heart, expressed through sincere prayer, heartfelt praise through voice, and attentive listening to scripture.

Some argue that the early Christians lacked the resources and infrastructure of the Temple. Is this why there were no mechanical instruments? Not at all. In fact, they worshipped without instrumental accompaniment for hundreds of years. Maybe that is because church leaders knew that mechanical instruments would rob the worshippers of a personal experience. Listening to instruments in worship turns the participant into a spectator.

Nothing Says Unity Like Community Worship

Community worship is the key to understanding the lifeblood of the early Christians. The emphasis was on the content of the worship rather than the aesthetic experience. Besides all of this, lifeless instruments are incapable of emotion. Why would the disciples encourage something that could potentially become a distraction from their core focus? Being together.

The essence of worship lies not in external adornments or sensory experiences, but in the sincere engagement of our hearts and minds with God and with one another. It encourages us to consider the purpose and focus of our own worship practices and to ensure that the message of the Gospel remains central. Therefore, the use of external instruments would corrupt the purity and authenticity of communal worship.

The Fear of Gentile Practices & Pagan Influences

The Greco-Roman world was saturated with music, often associated with pagan rituals, theatrical performances, and even lewd celebrations. Early Christians were cautious not to adopt practices that might blur the lines between their faith in Christ and the surrounding culture. Research shows that the Egyptians, Canaanites, Assyrians, and Babylonians all used man-made instruments. So Judaism adapted.

The Christian community was clearly different. Early Christians sought to maintain that distinct identity. They abstained from instruments in worship as a way of distancing themselves from potentially compromising associations. Do a deep dive on the relationship between Jesus and the religious elite of His day. He clearly despised the “hypocrites” who had hijacked the Jewish faith.

Literal Interpretations of Scripture

The early Christians were dialed in to the “doctrine of the apostles” (Acts 2:42). That teaching was handed down from Jesus Christ. It helped to form the New Testament we read today. If we’re attempting to replicate the church today, it would be impossible to do so with the use of something foreign to the Bible, something that is quite literally absent from every page. It is also absent from the houses of worship mentioned in the Bible.

If we are to interpret the New Testament passages literally, focusing on exhortations to "sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), it is clear they only used their voices. The emphasis was on vocal praise and the edification of one another through song, rather than the accompaniment of instruments. There is no authority for any other form of worship.

How Did We Get Here?: A Gradual Evolution

It's important to note that the absence of instruments in early Christian worship wasn't questioned for centuries. Evidence suggests that the use of instruments gradually began to appear in Christian worship, particularly in the later centuries and in different regions. The development of instrumental music was a slow process.

People often ask me: Why don’t most Churches of Christ use mechanical instruments? I think the appropriate question should be: “When were instruments introduced in worship?” It might surprise you to know that the addition (and removal) of mechanical instruments has divided Christians for about 1400 years.

Pope Vitalian, who ruled from 657-672 AD, first introduced the use of an organ in 666 AD. It started as something for his private worship and gained traction among some of his staunch supporters. However, it was not universally accepted and was a contributing factor to the Great Schism of 1054, dividing the Christian Church into two distinct entities: the Western (Latin) Church, which became the Roman Catholic Church, and the Eastern (Greek) Church, which became the Eastern Orthodox Church. In fact, it wasn’t until the 16th century that it became a universal practice.

The Legacy of Interpreting Through Silence

I think it’s fair to say that the vast majority of Christian churches today embrace instrumental music. It is estimated that there are over 2.38 billion Christians in the world, representing about 30.7% of the global population. It is estimated that about 2 million of those are members of a church family that practices a cappella singing, representing about 0.08% in the world.

The silence of the early church speaks volumes about their priorities. Disciples found a deep connection with God through the Lord’s Supper, prayer, sharing their resources (offering), preaching the Word, and singing in unison. This communal spirit of fellowship provided a way to live out their faith authentically in a world often filled with noise. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most profound expressions of worship can arise from the quiet sincerity of the human heart. Isn’t that what God really desires? You. Me. Us!

Before I close this blog, I must say that I love instruments. Music calms my anxiety and gives me joy. I grew up hearing my Grandma Green play the piano. She taught me to play “I dropped my Dolly in the dirt” before I learned to ride a bike. I played the trombone and drums in junior high band. I strum the ukulele from time to time. I’m probably the only 80s teenager that blasted Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven on vinyl for hours at a time. However, these factors, and my personal preference, have no bearing on what God desires. What has He commanded?

Our entrance into Heaven is contingent on our faithfulness (Matthew 25:21-23, Revelation 2:10). Since worship is commanded by God, we must faithfully follow His pattern. It would be foolish to just do whatever we want, call it "worship," and hope God approves. Anyone can worship God, but the Lord desires it to be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Even if the spirit is willing, worship must be conducted faithfully in truth. And the truth is that the only "instruments" mentioned in Christian worship (and for hundred of years) are the voices of the saints.

Please hear me out... Anyone can sit on the porch and look for birds. But you can’t just name any bird a spoon-billed sandpiper and make it one. Only avid birders (or twitchers) would faithfully travel the world to find the spoon-billed sandpiper. How far are you willing to search for what matters most? Worship is too important to God, and too valuable for man, to get it wrong.

The biblical pattern for faithful worship isn't about entertaining music or rigid liturgical discourses, but rather a heart transformed and expressed through genuine engagement with God and His Word. As we seek to worship God faithfully, let us be guided by the enduring principles revealed in Scripture. If you’re dedicated to being a part of the restored church, we'd love to see you at the Summerdale Church of Christ one day. We are not perfect, but we’re trying to remain vigilant to restore New Testament Christianity. If you’re dedicated to finding the spoon-billed sandpiper, let’s book a trip to northeastern Alaska and cross that off our "Life List."

You are loved.

Ray Reynolds, PhD

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